NEW YORK (AP) — Since his diagnosis with Parkinson's Disease cut short his acting career, Michael J. Fox has every reason to be a pessimist.

Instead, he's doing a special for ABC in May about the nature of optimism. Fox explores science and his own personal experiences — he says the past decade since his diagnosis have been among his happiest. Fox starred in the sitcoms "Family Ties" and "Spin City," as well as the "Back to the Future" movie series.

For his special, Fox visits the Himalayan nation of Bhutan, which he says is unusually committed to the well-being of its citizens. "Michael J. Fox: Adventures of an Incurable Optimist" airs on May 7.

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