We honor Christopher Reeves’ legacy of courage and commitment

Christopher Reeve was an award-winning actor at the peak of his career, both professionally and personally. He had become an American hero in the movies as Superman, he had performed on stage, he had married, started a family and was a successful horse rider.

But his life changed forever in 1995 when his horse refused to jump and he fell on his head, severing his spinal cord. He later wrote that the injury was so severe that his mother asked doctors to take him off life support.

But he fought back – despite his quadriplegia – and became a leading advocate for spinal cord research, which he believed would help him and others walk again. In 1998, Reeve told me from his home in Westchester County that despite his catastrophic injury, he had made some progress and that a breakthrough was imminent. He wanted to send that message to the Spinal Cord Society fundraiser at the Palace Theater in Albany, which I was hosting. Here is an excerpt from the conversation we had at his home.

(My question) “You're obviously an advocate for this cause, but I'm wondering if you're doing this because you feel compelled to do it, or if it's a byproduct of your own determination? Actually, it's both. Sometimes I wish I was completely anonymous and could just hang out at home… but if I were to shirk that responsibility, it would be a huge disservice to a lot of people who are suffering.

(My question) Do you think you will walk again or do you hope you will walk again?

No, I think I'm going to go back, and uh, I'm trying to put a ticking clock on all of this.”

Reeve called for immediate government funding for research, saying that as with any disaster, help is needed for catastrophic injuries.

CBS6 REWIND: A large manhunt decades ago left residents of the Adirondack Mountains in a state of panic for weeks

The actor had a strong connection to the area, having performed on stage at the Williamstown Theatre Festival for 15 seasons – he first appeared in the chorus at the age of 15. Despite his paralysis, he returned to acting on the big and small screen and honed his skills as a director.

(My question) “Do you consider yourself a hero and what is your definition of a hero today?”

Well, an ordinary person without the means that I have, but who perseveres and endures catastrophic conditions.

FULL INTERVIEW:

(My question) Then it sounds like you're a hero.” “No, because I have tremendous resources. I think about the families who can't call the president, who have to sell their homes, put a little boy in a nursing home, quit their jobs – they're really the ones fighting the good fight… they're the heroes.”

(My question) “You also say in your book that you live in the moment. What is this moment now?”

It's about having dreams and hopes, setting goals and facing challenges, but also taking each moment as it comes – whether it's just a friend for dinner, a speech to Congress or a sleepless night – taking everything that comes my way and then turning it into something positive.”

Christopher Reeve died in 2004 from an infection caused by a pressure sore, a common complication for wheelchair users. He was 52.