By News One December 5, 2009
PHOENIX, Arizona — Ring legend Muhammad Ali attended the opening Thursday of the newly expanded center to treat Parkinson’s disease that bears his name.
Officials at the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center said the facility is now the most comprehensive in the nation for the treatment of the illness that causes tremors, slowed movement and disrupted speech.
The former heavyweight world champion lives with his wife, Lonnie, in the Phoenix suburb of Paradise Valley.
He put one hand on a pair of giant scissors to help cut a red ribbon in an opening ceremony before taking a tour with his wife and sister-in-law.
Ali, 67 and suffering the effects of Parkinson’s, is frail-looking and has rarely been seen walking unaided in recent times.
But does continue to make public appearances, touring Britain in August fundraising and raising awareness for his Alltech-Muhammad Ali Centre Global Education and Charitable Fund.
Ali also paid a visit to Ireland, where his great-grandfather was born.
From The AFP
