Christopher and Dana Reeve

Dana Reeve--7 years later

PRC_Bernadette — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 01:28:47 GMT

Hard to believe that Dana Reeve has been gone for 7 years now. After her passing I wrote the following to encourage people to be engaged in advocacy. I think it still holds true today.

Christopher and Dana built a wonderful foundation to push for research as well as quality of life issues for everyone who has paralysis.

Each and everyone here is the face of paralysis, you may be the person with SCI, a best friend, parent,child, sibling, or concerned neighbor. Perhaps you are a medical professional or researcher. Regardless of your connection to paralysis, you are a face that can make it real for the general public.

It is up to each and every one of us to be ambassadors for paralysis, to spread the word and to effect change. We each have a story, some very gripping, and all of them worth hearing and being told.

We can not sit back and wait for someone to be our voice, to champion our cause. We need to do that ourselves. Become knowledgeable, learn the facts, try to understand the politics as well as the science involved. Then, speak from your heart, frequently and passionately.

Honor both Christopher and Dana by carrying their work forward. Lets show Will, Matthew, and Alexandra how much their parents efforts and sacrafices meant to us.

Go Forward !

Why is Superman still so popular?

JLo — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 22:06:28 GMT

For all our community members who are big Superman fans, here is a piece from The Guardian that may spark from interest. After reading it, let us know, why are you such a Superman fan?!

A movie trailer for this year's eagerly awaited update of the Superman story contains a moment which appears to subvert one of the most famous characters in the American cultural landscape. At first the trailer recounts the familiar story of a child from a distant planet, raised by farmers in Kansas who seek to keep his powers secret and call him by the human name of Clark Kent.

But after saving a bus full of schoolmates from drowning, a traumatised teenage Clark confronts his stepfather, who is worried he has revealed his true nature. "What was I supposed to do? Just let them die?" Clark asks. His father replies: "Maybe."

It is a shocking piece of moral ambiguity in the Superman universe, where what is right and wrong have traditionally been clear. Along with a mournful soundtrack and arty shots, it is the strongest hint yet that the Superman of 2013, played by British actor Henry Cavill, is going to be rather different.

Since his first appearance in Action Comics in 1938, Superman has adapted to changing times. After the second world war broke out, he changed his slogan from fighting for "truth and justice" to fighting for "truth, justice and the American way". That continued during the 1950s, when he became a symbol of muscular American patriotism which could do no wrong.

But as the nation grappled with the turmoil of the 1970s and embraced a more diverse culture, Christopher Reeve gave Superman more human qualities. In Richard Donner's 1978 film version of the comic book saga, self-sacrifice suddenly became part of Superman's appeal.

Read the rest about Superman's popularity!

10 year anniversary of the PRC

JLo — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:08:33 GMT

Coming up in May, the Reeve Foundation's Paralysis Resource Center will be celebrating its 10th anniversary! Okay so 10-years-ago this May I would have only been 15. Yikes! At the time, I knew nothing more of Christopher other than he was the guy who played Superman.

Working at the Reeve Foundation I see Christopher and Dana every day in our work. Dana specifically was the core of the Paralysis Resource Center (PRC), believing while cures are being researched we still need to care for these individuals living with paralysis and spinal cord injuries.

So in honor of the tenth anniversary approaching, I would like to know, how has the PRC has helped you?

Have you felt connected with others through the online community? Have you or a family member or a friend been in touch with an Information Specialist when someone was newly injured? Have you checked a book or video out of our lending library? Have you met us at one of the dozens of conferences we attend?

Let us know, share your story of the PRC!

Join our community.

Over hype of cure

ROBERT — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:56:28 GMT

I find it so wrong when a researcher promised Chris he would walk by his 50th birthday in 2002: Dr. Young said: Based on what's been happening with regeneration in the last 6 months, I can confidently tell you that we will be able to have a cure within the 7-year period that you talked about originally." Chris said that the breakthrough has been the discovery of "the antibody that knocks out the protein that prevents regeneration" and added "scientists know what to do, they just need the dollars to go ahead and do it". A clip from the fundraising infomercial "Circle of Friends" was then shown. Toward the end of their appearance, Dana sang a moving rendition of the Steven Sondheim song "Not While I'm Around". http://www.chrisreevehomepage.com/n-1997.html
It's already 2012 and just today Wise had this to say on his carecure website:Many people ask me when the cure will be here. I now tell them that I don't know. The reason is because the answer is not based on science but on politics. In 1997, I thought that we were just 7 years away. I did not anticipate the devastation of 9/11 and the shunting of the priorities of the U.S. people to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan for over a decade, and then the recession of 2008. But we will succeed despite these.

Wise.

I don't buy his excuse for a second. If a cure would have been her by 2002 it would have been in a trial before 911 which was late 2001, and the war in Iraq was even later.

READ HOW CHRISTOPHER AND DANA REEVE FOUNDED THEIR LIFE PURPOSE THAT WILL NEVER STOP GIVING

Theresa — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:21:03 GMT

I wrote a book title (WAKING UP TO MY LIFE PURPOSE). My friends asked me why I change the title of my book? I change the title of my book, because I had been going through some health issues that left me angry. Sometimes the pain would be so bad I didn't want to wake up. I'm sure some of you can relate to that feeling. One can only assume that's how Christospher Reeve might have felt after his accident. One morning after having a difficult night sleep due to pain. I woke up thanking the Lord for waking me up to see another day. That morning I had waken up as a different person. I felt blessed to see another day. I had waken up to my life purpose.

I'm sure if Christopher and Dana was here with us today they will say the same. The day Christopher Reeve had his accident, marks the day that he was reborn to live out his life purpose. He have helped so many people since the accident. Christopher has touch more lives then in the movies. The Lord knew that he was going to need somebody to help him. The Lord knew Dana was going to be that person. The accident Christopher had was very bad. He and Dana had founded both of their life purposes and that was to love one another and help others. Their purpose was to bring people together and give them hope. It's funny how some people spend a life time looking for their life purposes and never find it. We are born with our life purpose attached to our souls. Sometime it take something to happen in our lifes before we look deep in our soul and find our life purpose. Once you have finded your life purpose. Thank the Lord that Christopher & Dana Reeve founded their life purpose.The great work they started will never end.

Suggestions to add to the what's on the Internet about Chris & Dana Page.

Alexei — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:54:14 GMT

Hi, I would like to suggest the following websites to be added to the what's on the internet about Chris & Dana Page. http://www.capedwonder.com/ Http://www.christopherreeve.co.uk Http://www.supermania78.com Thanks Alexei

Who makes a better Superman?

JLo — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 13:53:24 GMT

This topic is really appearing to have a lot of interest on the Reeve Foundation's Facebook page so I thought I'd like to get some more reactions.

People.com wants to know who do you think makes the best Superman? Christopher Reeve or Henry Cavill.

Take the poll now.

Share your thoughts here!

(I personally have never known Superman to be anyone other than Christopher Reeve. I find that people will ask where I work and because I am a fast talking Italian Jersey girl, people will hear "blah blah blah!" So I will repeat, and say, 'Christopher Reeve. ya know, Superman' which always gets the 'Ohhhh Ohhhh yea of course!' type of reaction!)

Janelle

Touched by Dana

Richard — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:15:40 GMT

[tp:youtube id=IK4cr-ldwnI]

Dana Reeve (March 17, 1961 – March 6, 2006) was an American actress, singer, and activist for disability causes. She was the widow of actor Christopher Reeve.

It was Dana's tears that made me an advocate for people with spinal cord injuries. Both her and her husband Christopher ,I feel made a lot of souls turn active towards quality of life and cures.

I never got to touch Christopher but when his wife touched me the magic she creates heals many hearts. If only just one day I met her changed the rest of my life, imagine those she touched every day, we are truly blessed souls from her and Christopher.

God bless the Reeve family.

Professir X

Remembering Dana

PRC_Bernadette — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 22:07:32 GMT

Hard to believe that Dana Reeve passed away on this day in what seems to be yesterday. I keep a photo of myself and Dana in DC at the very first Working 2 Walk Rally. A co-worker gave it to me as a Secret Santa present and it is one of my most cherished possessions. Being an Information Specialist can be tough some days, some calls much harder than others. Countless times during the week when I might feel discouraged, a look over at the photo of myself and Dana in DC and I know why I do what I do.

In 2005 I completed in my first marathon as a fledgling Team Reeve was born. Christopher had just passed away the previous October and then in August of 2005, it was announced that Dana had lung cancer. I dedicated that race to both Dana and Christopher and wore 3 charms on my shoulder that said , Love, Courage and Believe. On March 5th, I handed the charms over to a close friend of Dana's as he headed to NY to see her. Little did I know that her life would soon end.

Sometimes in life we meet people who make a lasting impression on us, even if they simply pass through our lives too briefly. Chris and Dana were two such people. Today I take extra time to remember Dana, and with her Christopher. They made a permanent imprint on how I live life and approach challenges.

You memory will always shine bright Dana and your legacy lives on.

Happy Birthday -- Christopher Reeve AKA Superman

c5tommegun — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 20:15:18 GMT

Happy Birthday -- Christopher Reeve AKA Superman (25sep1952-10oct2004)!

Thank You -- Christopher & Dana Reeve -- Two Super-Humans!

Thank You Everyone -- Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation!

Godspeed...

Christopher Reeve post injury

JLo — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 21:03:34 GMT

I had the wonderful opportunity to watch Jesse's Story today. It's a documentary about Jesse Billauer, founder of Life Rolls On.

In watching the movie, there's a section where Jesse and Christopher meet. I realized as I was watching, that was the first time I ever saw actual footage of Christopher post injury. Everyday I am reminded in pictures and photos of Christopher what the Reeve Foundation stands for, but seeing him in video was certainly something else all together.

At one point, Jesse looked at Christopher and said, "Life rolls on, right." Christopher's response was simply, "Life rolls on." It wasn't Christopher's words that spoke so profoundly, it was his genuine smile as he said it.

Despite being immobile, Christopher's smile spoke a language the rest of his body couldn't.

Christopher Reeve as Superman

Julie — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:22:52 GMT

I love fans that create! Check this post on the Replica Prop Forum.

Superman Christopher Reeve bust (sculpt finished)
Hi all,

just wanted to share one of my current projects.

the client is going to mount this on a body for a full size statue display.

the finished piece will be silicne with hand made eyes and hand punched hair.

the sculpt is nearly there, just lettig the clay dry out befor i really get into the texturing.
-fettster

Christopher and Dana

PRC_Bernadette — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:08:10 GMT

In 2004 we lost Christopher and what seemed like just a few months late, Dana passed away in 2006. I find myself thinking alot about them both today, the anniversary of Chris passing away.

Two years ago, I posted the following thoughts about the loss of Dana and Chris. Folks in the paralysis community were waiting for the next "Big Name" to be injured. Chris and Dana carried the torch for the paralysis community for a long time. They were the face of spinal cord injury.

Today this seems appropriate to post,:

March 2006

Christopher and Dana built a wonderful Foundation to push for research as well as quality of life issues for everyone who has paralysis.

Each and everyone here is the face of paralysis, you may be the person with SCI, a best friend, parent,child, sibling, or concerned neighbor. Perhaps you are a medical professional or researcher. Regardless of your connection to paralysis, you are a face that can make it real for the general public.

It is up to each and every one of us to be ambassadors for paralysis, to spread the word and to effect change. We each have a story, some very gripping, and all of them worth hearing and being told.

We can not sit back and wait for someone to be our voice, to champion our cause. We need to do that ourselves. Become knowledgeable, learn the facts, try to understand the politics as well as the science involved. Then, speak from your heart, frequently and passionately.

The symposium in DC is a few months away. Many can't attend and I understand that, traveling with SCI is difficult. Even if you aren't there, help us pave the road to the Capitol by writing letters, calling Senators and Congressmen, telling your story. Make us a voice to be heard and reckoned with.

Honor both Christopher and Dana by carrying their work forward. Lets show Will, Matthew, and Alexandra how much their parents efforts and sacrafices meant to us.

Go Forward !

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you,

Every day I wake up is a good one.
phf 59-08