AceShowbiz - Ryan Reynolds, known for his roles in "Deadpool" and "Green Lantern", has opened up about his late father's battle with Parkinson's disease and its impact on their relationship. In an essay for People magazine, Reynolds reflects on the challenges and nuances of their relationship, revealing both struggles and moments of connection.

James Chester Reynolds, a former police officer, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease when Ryan was just 22. However, their family from Vancouver rarely discussed the diagnosis.

"He said the word 'Parkinson's' maybe three times as far as I knew-and one of them wasn't to me," says Reynolds. The actor's father passed away in 2015 at age 74, after living with the disease for nearly two decades. The complexities of their relationship were intensified by James' lesser-known symptoms like hallucinations and delusions, which began about ten years after his diagnosis.

"At the time I just thought, 'My dad's losing his mind,' " admits Ryan. "My father was really slipping down a rabbit hole where he was struggling to differentiate between reality and fiction."

This experience has pushed Reynolds to partner with the educational campaign More to Parkinson's, aimed at educating patients and caregivers on these nonmotor symptoms. Reflecting on his father's deterioration, Ryan understands now that it "destabilized" their relationship and the trust people had in his father's perspective.

In the years following his father's death, Reynolds has gained valuable insights. He regrets not meeting his father "where he was" and acknowledges the role his own unwillingness played in their estrangement. "I could have maybe been there with him toward the end, and I wasn't," he confesses, though he's grateful for the letter he sent his father before his passing, detailing every amazing thing James had done.

Reynolds also highlights the often overlooked struggle of caregivers, crediting his mother Tammy for her unwavering support during James's illness. "My mom was a backboard for my father during that time, but it really broke her. Caregiver fatigue is very real," he notes.

Now a father of four children with his wife Blake Lively, Reynolds channels his father's virtues while correcting past mistakes. He aims to show up for his kids in ways his father couldn't, fostering an environment of communication and support. "When my kid is acting out or telling me I'm the worst-my dad would retreat into the power of silence, and that is not the way to acknowledge your kid," he explains.

Ryan's advocacy work with the Michael J. Fox Foundation and More to Parkinson's campaign underscores his commitment to raising awareness about Parkinson's disease, particularly its nonmotor symptoms. Through public engagement and sharing his personal story, Reynolds hopes to offer better resources and understanding to families affected by this challenging illness.

For more about Ryan Reynolds and his journey, visit the More to Parkinson's website.