Christopher Reeve had a major accident that left him paralyzed. He felt very hopeless and thought about ending his life. But everything changed when his wife said some supportive and encouraging words to him.
Christopher Reeve was well-known for playing Clark Kent in the popular “Superman” movies. His role made him loved by fans all over the world.
Christopher Reeve met his future wife through their shared love for the performing arts. One night, while taking a break, he went to a cabaret show and was captivated by a performer named Dana Morosini.
Winning Dana Morosini’s heart took some effort, but Christopher Reeve eventually succeeded. The couple married in 1992 and welcomed their son, William Reeve, later that same year.
In 1995, Christopher’s life changed dramatically when he was paralyzed from the neck down after a horse-riding accident during a cross-country competition.
In a heartfelt interview in May 2001, six years after his accident, Christopher Reeve talked about how his life had changed. He found it hard to believe that six years had gone by, feeling like the time was both very long and very short.
Christopher shared that he sometimes had flashbacks to the day of the accident, even though he tried not to think about it. He described that day as “very hot, very humid, and very lethargic.”
The Emmy Award winner also remembered feeling that “things weren’t really in the groove” that day. He admitted that he wasn’t fully into the competition and had even thought about going sailing instead.
Over time, Christopher found it easier to accept what had happened. The thoughts about what he could have done differently slowly began to fade.
Although Christopher knew his injuries might feel heavier over time, he decided to keep moving forward and not let those thoughts control his future.
When asked about how the accident affected his family, Christopher explained that while he had faced many injuries before, he always managed to recover without lasting effects.
He admitted that he used to think, “I must not injure myself to avoid becoming incapacitated.” This time, he realized how deeply his injury affected his loved ones.
He felt very guilty and recognized the burden his condition placed on his wife and children. “It’s okay to make your own mess, as long as it doesn’t affect others,” he said. But this injury had clearly impacted those closest to him.
Christopher recalled always trying to avoid serious injuries that could leave him incapacitated. But this time, he understood how deeply his injury affected his loved ones.
He admitted feeling very guilty, recognizing the burden his condition placed on his wife and children. He reflected, “It’s okay to make your own mess, as long as it doesn’t affect others.” Unfortunately, his injuries had a significant impact on those closest to him.
Christopher wondered how his family would cope and adjust to his condition. He realized they couldn’t do the things they used to do before the accident.
He also worried about how he would support his family financially and felt especially sad for his two older children, Matthew and Alexandra, from his previous relationship. They were only 15 and 11 when he got injured.
When Christopher woke up in the hospital after the accident, he was filled with despair and even thought about ending his life. In a moment of deep vulnerability, he asked his wife, Dana, if she would let him go. Dana looked him in the eye and said, “‘But you’re still you, and I love you.’” Her words gave him hope and strength to keep going.
On Instagram, social media users had strong reactions to this story. One person commented, “That’s so heartbreaking but the strength she gave him has me in awe.” Another user praised Dana, saying, “That is an amazing woman,” while someone else simply stated, “What a sad story.”
Dana’s unwavering love and support became a crucial turning point for Christopher, motivating him to aim for walking again. Her powerful words also inspired the title of his book, “Still Me.” This deep support helped Christopher find reasons to continue despite his injury.
The author encouraged people not to give up, reminding them that breakthroughs can happen. He talked about how, after the initial shock and grief of an accident, people face a choice: to give in to despair or to use their resources to make a positive difference.
For Christopher, the choice was clear—he chose to fight against the physical and emotional challenges, driven by his competitive spirit and determination to overcome the effects of his condition.
Christopher shared that for three years after his accident, he never dreamed of being in a wheelchair. Each morning, it took him a few moments to adjust and remember that he couldn’t move his arms or legs.
Reality often took five to ten minutes to sink in. In his dreams, he still saw himself doing activities he once enjoyed—sailing, riding, traveling, and acting on stage. His mind held onto memories of when he was able-bodied.
Christopher emphasized that while he couldn’t represent all disabilities due to his limited knowledge, he was dedicated to raising awareness. He worked hard to secure a two-hour primetime TV special that highlighted spinal cord injuries and showcased disabled performers.
Through his foundation, Christopher directed 30 percent of the funds raised to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. He personally focused on research, therapies, and finding cures.
The actor acknowledged that, like any public figure, he was aware of differing opinions about his work. He believed everyone, including those with disabilities, had the right to focus their energy on their chosen goals, even if others disagreed with their approach.
Sadly, Christopher Reeve passed away in October 2004 from an infection. A year later, his wife Dana Reeve was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. She also passed away, two years later, in March 2006.
A tiny baby, who was kept in a sandwich bag for safety, is finally going home.
The parents of a baby named Robyn, who was born very tiny at just 11 ounces (328 grams), have finally brought her home after 18 months in the hospital.
Robyn was born five months early in March 2023 at Grange Hospital in Cwmbran, Torfaen, and she still needs special care all the time. Her parents, Chantelle (34) and Daniel (38) from Malpas, Newport, are raising money for her treatment. Chantelle said, “It’s like a dream come true to have Robyn home.”
Robyn was born at just 23 weeks and 2 days and was so tiny that she could fit in the palm of a hand. To keep her organs warm while she grew, she was kept in a sandwich bag.
After six months in the hospital, she spent another seven months in the pediatric intensive care unit at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff. She then returned to Grange Hospital until she was finally discharged in September.
Chantelle, who works part-time as an accountant, said, “It’s just so nice to do normal family things… and just all be together under one roof.”
Daniel, a self-employed bricklayer, mentioned that it’s much less chaotic at home now. He has had to cut back on work to focus on taking care of his daughter.
Robyn gets oxygen and nutrition through tubes in her nose and mouth, and her vital signs are watched all the time. She takes 30 doses of medication each day.
Her mom, Chantelle, explained, “She can’t cough, so we have to suction her mouth and nose throughout the day when she needs it.”
Daniel described Robyn as doing well and enjoying the “peace” of being at home. He added that they do a lot of physical therapy and play with her to help her senses.
Chantelle said it was tough to bond with Robyn in the busy hospital ward, with doctors and nurses always coming in and out.
“All you can do is sit next to her and watch,” she explained, “keeping an eye on the numbers on the screen and hoping she will be okay.”
“When Robyn was born, we weren’t sure if she would survive.
“As time went on, she grew bigger and stronger, but she still faced many problems. It became clear that her brain damage would have a big impact on her.”
‘We know nothing is impossible’
“We didn’t learn about her brain damage until about six months after she was born,” Daniel said.
“You have all these plans for how life will be, and then everything changes,” he added.
“But we try to stay positive.
“We know that nothing is impossible for Robyn because she has been told so many times that she wouldn’t be able to do things or even survive, but she keeps proving everyone wrong.
“She’s full of surprises, and I believe she will create her own story.”
Leave a Reply