Laila Ali finds relief in father Muhammad no longer suffering

For over 30 years, Muhammad Ali had struggled with the Parkinson's disease that he was diagnosed with in 1984. This past Friday in Phoenix, the legendary fighter passed away at the age of 74, and his daughter, Laila, says that there is comfort to be found in his passing:

"I can say that I'm obviously really sad, but I've been sad for a long time just watching my father struggling with Parkinson's disease. You know, you hold your head up and you say, 'Yeah, he's doing great.' But, you know, I felt like he was trapped inside of his body. So I have comfort in knowing that he's not suffering anymore. So that's what makes me feel better."

For anyone who has ever watched a parent or grandparent or any loved one suffer through anything like this, the words will ring very true. Ali appeared to be very frail in his most recent public appearances, but never forget that he spent decades battling the disease, and as actor Michael J. Fox, also diagnosed with Parkinson's, put it, he was a "warrior for the cure":

Ali, the G-O-A-T. A giant, an inspiration, a man of peace, a warrior for the cure. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/MCLyJhLC0X

— Michael J. Fox (@realmikefox) June 4, 2016