Christopher Reeve: Wife’s Seven Words Saved My Life After Paralysis

Christopher Reeve, the legendary Superman actor, was paralyzed from the neck down in a horse-riding accident in 1995. In an emotional recollection captured in a documentary, Reeve shares that he once considered ending his life. But a simple, heartfelt statement from his wife Dana transformed his outlook.

In the trailer for *Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story*, Reeve, who passed away in 2004 at the age of 52, reflected on the despair he felt shortly after the accident. “I ruined my life and everybody else’s. I won’t be able to ski, sail, throw a ball to Will. Won’t be able to make love to Dana. Maybe we should let me go,” he thought.

He continues, “And then she said the words that saved my life: ‘You’re still you. And I love you.'”

Reeve first donned the iconic superhero cape in 1978, and reprised the role in sequels *Superman II* (1980), *Superman III* (1983), and *Superman IV: The Quest for Peace* (1987).

The new documentary, produced by DC Studios, had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January.

The film, arriving in select theaters next month, takes an emotional look back at Reeve’s rise to stardom and his unyielding spirit following his accident. His legacy includes tireless advocacy for paralysis sufferers, through his leadership of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and the co-founding of the Reeve-Irvine Research Center.

In 2003, Reeve made two cameo appearances in the television series *Smallville*, using these moments to promote the work of his foundation.

The documentary also captures poignant memories from his son Matthew, now 44, who recounted the last moments he saw his father before the tragic accident. “We said goodbye, he gave this wave,” Matthew remembers. “That was the last time I saw him on his feet.”

*Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story* features interviews with Reeve’s three children Matthew, Alexandra (40), and Will (32), as well as his late wife Dana, who died of lung cancer in 2006.

It also includes heartfelt stories and memories from many of Reeve’s Hollywood friends, including Whoopi Goldberg, Susan Sarandon, Jeff Daniels, and Glenn Close.

Reeve’s son Will is set to make a cameo appearance in the upcoming *Superman* film. In real life, Will Reeve is a journalist and ABC news correspondent. His cameo as a TV reporter in the movie pays tribute to his father’s enduring legacy.

*Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story* will be in select theaters starting September 21.

Source: Associated Press