I refuse to allow a disability to determine how I live my life. There is only one way to go in life and that is forward.” – Christopher Reeve
Christopher Reeve was an American actor, filmmaker and activist. He is best known for playing the title role in Superman (1978) and its sequels. In addition to his acting career, he was also a skilled equestrian. Unfortunately, during a competition he was thrown from his horse and broke his neck. This resulted in a cervical spinal cord injury, paralyzing him from the neck down. Subsequently, requiring him to use a wheelchair and ventilator for the rest of his life. After his injury he turned primarily to directing, although he had a few cameos over the years as well. In addition, he become an advocate for spinal cord injury awareness, stem cell research and disability advocacy.
Early Life
Christopher Reeve was born on September 25, 1952 in New York City. He discovered his love for acting and the theatre early in his life. He was well rounded as a student, performing well athletically, academically, socially and onstage. He studied theatre at Cornell and finished the last year of his degree at Juilliard. It was here where he first became friends with Robin Williams, who along with Reeve was the only other person selected for Juilliard’s Advanced Program. He graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. From here he made his Broadway debut in 1976, and had a small television role to begin his professional career.
Hollywood
Reeve’s first role in a Hollywood movie was a minor part as a junior submarine officer in Gray Lady Down (1978). Soon after he was cast for his biggest role playing Superman, which would be his most enduring role. He played Superman and Clark Kent in several sequels to critical acclaim. For his performance his won a BAFTA Award for Most Promising New Comer to A Leading Film Role and became an international sensation overnight.
His new found fame allowed him to participate in various philanthropic causes, including: the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Save the Children. In 1979. Additionally, he was the track and field coach for the 1979 Special Olympics along with O.J. Simpson. In addition to acting and his charity causes he also was a licensed pilot. He flew solo across the Atlantic twice, and raced a sailplane in his spare time. Reeve had many hobbies, in the late 1980s he built a sailboat, which he sailed from Chesapeake to Nova Scotia, he also began to take horse riding lessons, training 5-6 days a week.
Accident
On May 27, 1995 Reeve was taking part in a equestrian competition when his horse stopped suddenly before a jump. The sudden stop threw him forward off of his horse, and on the way down his hands became tangled in the reins causing him to land head first on the ground. The impact shattered his first and second cervical vertebrae. resulting in a severe spinal cord injury which immediately left him paralyzed from the neck down and unable to independently breath. He was immediately rushed to the hospital but had no recollection of the accident.
Once regaining lucidity, and realizing the extent of his injuries he became severely depressed. He was convinced that he had ruined his life, and that he would be a burden on his family, leading him to contemplate suicide. His wife Dana stayed by his side and promised to support him through it all, no matter how difficult. After this conversation and visits from his children, he saw how much he had to live for and never contemplated suicide again, though it was still a very bleak time.
As the legend goes, during an especially hard day, the door flew open and in hurried a squat fellow with a blue scrub hat and a yellow surgical gown and glasses, speaking in a Russian accent. The man announced that he was a proctologist and was going to perform a rectal exam on Reeve. It was none other than his old friend Robin Williams. Reeve said this encounter was the first time he laughed since the accident, and from this point he knew that somehow he was going to be okay. He decided: “If I can laugh, I can live.” Adding further: “Once you choose hope, anything is possible.”
Rehabilitation
Reeve spent five months at the Kessler Rehabilitation Hospital in New Jersey. Learning how to operate his sip and puff wheelchair through a straw; as well as adjusting to being part of the disabled community. For the first few months he relied solely on the ventilator to breathe. Through extensive therapy he was eventually able to breathe on his own without the ventilator for 90 minutes at a time. He did exercise and therapy for four or five hours every day, Using Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) to activate his muscles and prevent atrophy and osteoporosis. In 2000, five years after his accident he began to regain small movements in his fingers and other parts of his body. By 2002, he was able to feel hot and cold temperatures over 65% of his body. Doctors were amazed by he improvements and attributed this to his extensive exercise routine, therapy and his indomitable spirit.
Advocacy
Although he went through an intense period of grief after his accident, he vowed to make the best of life. He found purpose through activism, film work, writing, public speaking, and parenting. He directed In the Gloaming (1997) and returned to acting in the television remake of Rear Window (1998). He also made several appearances in the Superman-themed television series Smallville. In addition to acting and directing, he wrote two books: Still Me and Nothing is Impossible, and toured the country promoting them. He kept to his personal motto: “you play the hand you’re dealt, and I think the game’s worthwhile.”
Despite keeping busy with projects he also allowed space for himself to grieve his old life and acknowledge his suffering. He allotted 20 minutes each morning to cry, reflect and allow himself to feel the sense of loss. But after his long hard cry each morning, he would tell himself “And now, forward,” and continue on with his day.
After his stay at the rehab facility he became an advocate for spinal cord injury research. This lead to the formation of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation; as well as, co-founding the Reeve-Irvine Research Center for spinal cord injuries. In 1996 he hosted the Paralympics in Atlanta, and began travelling across the country speaking at events. He lobbied to pass several disability legislation bills regarding lifetime benefit caps and another allowing benefits to be claimed once returning to work. Reeve was also a strong advocate into stem cell research and lobbied for federal funding for studies.
Legacy
Unfortunately, in 2002 through 2004 Reeve suffered several serious infections which originated in his bone marrow. In 2004 he was being treated for sepsis as a result of an infected pressure sore, something that he had struggled with on and off. After receiving an antibiotic to deal with the infection he went into cardiac arrest from a bad reaction. He fell into a coma, and passed away 18 hours later on October 10, 2004, at the age of 52.
In the years following his injury, Reeve did more to promote research on spinal cord injury and other neurological disorders than any other person before or since. In fact, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation continues to be the biggest supporter of spinal cord injuries to this day. They have raised over $65 million for research; as well as, $8.5 million for quality of life grants. He urged Hollywood to make more films on important social issues to promote societal change through popular media. He was also a pioneer using FES and intensive physical exercise to regain function and sensation over the years, putting in hours of physio work a day. His legacy and triumphs will live on in the work he has done to improve the lives of people with spinal cord injuries. Even nearing on 20 years since his death, he is still changing the lives of people with spinal cord injuries, he has left an everlasting impact through his life and work. That is the true definition of a superhero in every sense of the word.
Who knows why an accident happens? The key is what do you do afterwards. There is a period of shock and then grieving with confusion and loss. After that, you have two choices. One is to stare out the window and gradually disintegrate. And the other is to mobilize and use all your resources, whatever they may be, to do something positive.- Christopher Reeve
