I always thought he’d walk again. I really did. His optimism was that palpable, especially as conveyed in the profile that ran in the New Yorker last year.
His accident happened near the University of Virginia less than a week after I graduated from there. He spent some time at the UVa Hospital, and then he went to the Kessler Institute, which is in West Orange, New Jersey, the next town over from my hometown. A few years later, when I was back at UVa, I saw him give the Valedictory Address during graduation weekend. Just last month, my mom got to attend a lunch where he was speaking.
He appeared twice on “Smallville” as Dr. Virgil Swann, a doctor who introduced Clark to his Kryptonian heritage; I wonder if any future appearances were planned. If so, maybe they’ll use Margot Kidder instead, who was on the recent season premiere as Dr. Swann’s colleague.
I can’t imagine what the last nine-plus years must have been like for him and his wife. I don’t know what I would have done in his circumstances. I hope his wife, at least, can find some measure of peace now.
I’m still sad that he’ll never walk again.
I always hoped he would walk again too. But now he is walking, riding, even flying, completely healed. I hope that the Foundation (CRPF) can carry on the work he started 9 years ago. It’s very important and we shouldn’t let it be forgotten. I also hope his family will be ok, I hope they can find peace knowing all the good he did in his life.
I was greatly saddened by the turn Christopher Reeve’s life took 9 years ago – as I am by his death now – but I’m heartened by the legacy he’s left behind.
I’m glad to be reminded that people are capable of extraordinary achievements even in the most adverse of circumstances.