Who could be a stronger, more vibrant figure than Superman?
When Christopher Reeve played Superman in the 1978 movie, he was the epitome of the role.
So, when he was paralyzed as a result of an accident during an equestrian competition in 1995, it was hard to believe. He came back to the public spotlight by becoming a well-known spokesman for spinal cord injury and he went on to direct films and write two books, touching numerous lives and inspiring countless others to not only live with spinal cord injuries but also to thrive. Christopher Reeve, who lived the last nine years of his life as a quadriplegic who was dependent upon a ventilator, passed away in 2004 at the age of 52. His wife, Dana, continued to advocate for those with paralysis until her death to lung cancer in 2006.
The Reeve Foundation
The American Paralysis Foundation, a non-profit organization, was established in 1982 with the belief that researchers would someday be able to find a way to repair spinal cord injuries. After his accident in 1995, Reeve sought out the organization and lent his name to it and it eventually became known as The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
The Reeve Foundation’s mission is to support research to find a cure for spinal cord injury and to improve the quality of life for people living with paralysis. The Foundation’s website contains information on their paralysis resource center, neuroRecovery network, research, referral services and quality of life grants as well as comprehensive information on Christopher and Dana Reeve’s journey.
“Even though life is difficult, I’m a husband and a father. I have a wife and three children who mean the world to me. So on a personal level; I have much to live for. I also feel a responsibility to use my position on behalf of others who would never be heard.”– Christopher Reeve
