Scribblings

Superman

Sometime in 1978, I remember going to a movie called Superman. I went with a friend ? maybe it was Daina. I had never heard of the actor who was starring as Superman. He was tall and handsome and exuded power and strength from every pore. Like most big men, though, he seemed extraordinarily gentle. Christopher Reeve fit the part well. Boy, he was handsome ? and not much older than me, just 2 years. I went back to watch all the sequels. Just to show he was not just Superman, Reeve did other good movies like Somewhere in Time and Deathtrap.

He was in a terrible accident in 1995. He was thrown from his horse and broke his neck. For awhile, no one was sure if he?d live or not. The doctors were very pessimistic and they said he could be paralyzed from the neck down. Just thinking of Reeve being paralyzed and unable to move was horrifying enough because he was so physically fit. He had a wife and a little boy. Sometimes I thought it would have been better if he?d died.

But he didn?t. I?m sure those early days were horrible when he and his family dealt with the traumatic realities of the accident. Later, though, I began reading reports about Reeve and physical therapy. He had people helping him in physical therapy for hours every day. He used to be attached to a ventilator because he couldn?t breathe on his own. So I was totally amazed and awed when he was able to get off the respirator for hours. Talk about strength of will! This was a real Superman.

He wanted to walk again. That was his goal and he continued to exercise. He gradually began to regain control of some parts of his body, his hand, his ankles, his finger ? and he began to speak out about the need for more spinal cord injury research. He joined in with other activists urging the use of stem cell research to help people with Parkinson?s, with diabetes, spinal cord injuries and other conditions.

John Kerry mentioned Christopher Reeve during his second debate with President Bush. Who had any idea that Reeve was already sick, trying to fight the systemic infection he had.

Quadriplegics and paraplegics are at risk for developing nasty bed sores from being in one position too long. The sores can become infected and that?s what happened to Christopher Reeve. His body couldn?t take anymore and he went into cardiac arrest.

I feel so sad that he didn?t reach his goal here on earth. In heaven, he is walking and running and moving effortlessly without the weight of his paralyzed and useless body. God bless him. He is an inspiration to everyone.