Ten years ago today, Christopher Reeve died. Only 52 years old, he died of heart failure while being treated for a severely infected pressure wound (common among paralyzed people). The actor, famous for his portrayal of Superman, became a real-life inspiration when a horseback-riding accident caused a spinal cord injury that left him a quadriplegic.
After the accident that permanently injured his spine, he founded the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and the Reeve Irvine Research Center to help find a cure for spinal cord injuries and paralysis, distributing $22 million in grants to paralysis researchers. Reeve also authored two books: Still Me and Nothing is Impossible.
At the time of his death, a number of memorial cartoons celebrating Reeve’s life were Superman-themed. Many artists drew Reeve as Superman flying away from the wheelchair. In one, Superman came to Reeve’s grave with flowers. In another, a grief-stricken Superman read the news of Reeve’s death in the Daily Planet newspaper and said to the reader, “He was my hero.” In yet another, a gathering of mourning superheroes reflected: “He was a super man.”
Since the team at Matchmaker Logistics has been celebrating superheroes in our industry all year long, I thought it would be fitting to share the words of a man who not only portrayed the world’s most iconic superhero, but who also heroically battled a severe disability for the last several years of his life. Here is a collection of quotes from Christopher Reeve:
- I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.
- I’m not living the life I thought I would lead, but it does have meaning, purpose. There is love… there is joy…there is laughter.
- Either you choose to stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go out into the ocean.
- Some people are walking around with full use of their bodies and they’re more paralyzed than I am.
- We all have many more abilities and internal resources than we know. My advice is that you don’t need to break your neck to find out about them.
- Success is finding satisfaction in giving a little more than you take.
- You play the hand you’re dealt. I think the game’s worthwhile.
- Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.
Choose hope this weekend,
~Bob
