Indomitable 'Still YOU'

Christopher Reeve

September 25, 1952 - October 10, 2004

I am at a loss for words to begin this post on 'Superman'. Growing up, the series was my initiation of sorts into fantasia (read the wonderland of movies).

BBC showcased one of his interviews on Hard Talk the day he passed away. I vividly remember that I was so glad to switch on the TV at the right moment and felt blessed to get a close look at his indomitable spirit. Just as I was savouring his wisdom as the programme ended, my dad staged a grand entry into my room to announce that Christopher Reeve was no more. A cloud of despair burst over me just then and for the first time in my life I felt like a member of our huge global family had passed away who must (and was) mourned by all.

It was in May of 1995 during the cross-country portion of a riding event in Virginia, US that Reeve's horse - Throughbred, Eastern Express, balked at a rail jump, pitching his rider forward. His hands were tangled in the horse's bridle and he landed head first, fracturing the uppermost vertebrae in his spine. He was instantly paralyzed from the neck down and was unable to breathe. Prompt medical attention saved his life and delicate surgery stabilized the shattered C1-C2 vertebrae and literally reattached his head to his spine.

His condition put him at constant risk for related illnesses like pneumonia, infections, blood clots, wounds that did not heal and a dangerous condition involving blood pressure known as autonomic disreflexia.

Now to reflect on the greatness of the man, he began to use the international interest in his situation to increase public awareness about spinal cord injury and to raise money for research into a cure by setting up the Christopher Reeve Foundation (CRF) and Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center. He also used to incessantly lobby for the highly controversial stem cell research using human embryos and cloning over more conventional research like axon regeneration and nerve growth.

"..And now that I am disabled, of course my main focus is on the quality of life for all disabled people and doing everything I can to help scientists make progress toward cures.", he once said.

Top on my 'To Read' list is his highly acclaimed autobiography - 'Still Me', released in 1998.

In the years that followed his accident, the super man gradually regained sensation in parts of his body, notably down the spine, in his left leg and areas of the left arm. But he remained dependent on a ventilator to breathe and was unable to move any part of his body below the shoulders.

Christopher Reeve died while in coma after suffering from a cardiac arrest in 2004.

His wife, Dana Reeve (see picture), never left his side. She succumbed to lung cancer on March 6, 2006 at the age of 44.

The news of her death was heart-wrenching indeed.

Christopher Reeve once said: "This accident has been difficult for all of us. But it hasn't frightened anybody away. We all miss the activities. My daughter, Alexandra, and I loved to ride together. My son, Will, and I would play piano and sing together. Matthew and I loved to play tennis. We all used to sail together. I'd be kidding you if I said I didn't miss that. Ultimately, you have to accept that being together is more important than doing together."

He used to look to the future with characteristic enthusiasm saying: "My spinal cord is ready below the injury. I'm realistically optimistic. I don't plan to spend the rest of my life like this.."

I'm sure you are now spending your time what you love doing and thoroughly enjoying your stay up in heaven with your lovely wife. Amen.