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Superman: The Story of Christopher Reeve Essay

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An actor, a father, a role model, and even Superman. These are some of the words used to describe Christopher Reeve. Reeve, an actor famous for portraying Superman, was paralyzed from the neck down, as a result from a horse riding accident and was expected never to recover. (Wikipedia n.pag). After paralyzation, he was hesitant about what would happen in the future. With hardships and struggles, it occurred to him that it would take hard determination and will to overcome his adverse situation. His family was with him, and supported him with any decision he would have to make. At one point he had considered suicide, but with a talk from his family members, especially his wife, he never considered suicide as an option again. He continued to …show more content…

He never thought of suicide again. During his therapy sessions, respiratory therapy was the hardest. Chris needed to be able to hold 700 cc. of air in his lungs before being considered to be taken off a respirator. Right after his accident, he could barely get above zero. After three months, he was able to breath without a respirator for 30 minutes. Dr. John Jane, Chris’s surgical doctor said “I have never seen improvement like this.” (ChrisReeveHomepage n.pag) Before he died, he was able to talk with a computer and able to breathe without a respirator for hours at a time. Chris's relationships with people helped him overcome his adverse situation and assisted in changing his life. Secondly, there are important relationships in Christopher’s life that helped him overcome his adverse situation. Dana Reeve, his wife, helped him get through the tragedy. Dana was Chris’s lifeline after his accident. Dana said that she would stay with him, ride out the bad times and cherish the good times. After the accident, Chris and Dana founded the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. This foundation raises money to help find a way to cure paralysis and other central nervous diseases or injuries. Also, Robin Williams was a person who made the hard ride to recovery better. He was Chris’s roommate in college. He and Chris went to Cornell to major in theatre. Thirdly, his children have helped him with the foundation, and also as a foundation to

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