Christopher Reeve
Kevin M. Rudolph (turbokev(AT)iglou.com)
Sun, 10 May 1998 21:55:50 -0400
I don't understand why everyone is so pessimistic and hostile toward Mr.
Reeve because of his hopes, dreams, and goals in life. I believe that we
should be realistic but we also need hopes, dreams, and goals because
without dreams, hope, and goals in your life then life would be
meaningless. What I'm saying is that you can achieve your goals in this
situation but you also have to have hope to be happy. Who doesn't want a
cure? No one doesn't feel that way atleast I hope they don't because
sitting or laying around feeling like you can't do anything just makes you
miserable. I don't have a SCI (Spinal Cord Injury) but I know what it is
like because I have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and I'm ventilator
dependent. Since 1989, my case of DMD has gotten to the point that I need
a lot of assistance. Next week will be 9 years since I've been trached and
vented. I'm in a electric wheelchair (backup vent on chair) that I drive
with a head control and 2 thumb micro-switch (1 to engage forward/back & 1
for reclining), I need feeded and bathed, My arms and legs are immobile, I
can't write, and need someone present at all times, and so one. With all
this, I manage to attend Jefferson Community College where I take 2 courses
per semester and maintain a 3.6 gpa. I am realistic about what I can and
can't do but I keep my hopes, dreams, and goals intact. I hope a cure will
come some day but I don't sit around wallowing in self pity and waiting for
the cure, I continue living life to the fullest as possible. Mr. Reeve
isn't just sitting around dreaming, he's continuing his life and career
with some modifications. He has directed/produced 3 films and he wrote a
book and he works to keep his marriage and family intact and he is really
involved with his children. He founded the Reeve Foundation and makes many
trips to talk about SCI. We vent users and disabled persons know that is a
lot of activities to be involved in considering the situation, even though,
he has a lot more resources than we do doesn't make it easier emotionally,
mentally, or physically. He has earned his wealth and is entitled to as
much care as he can afford. He deserves recognition and praise because he
has increased awareness about SCI and is trying to increase funding for
research. He is doing a great job, so people quit bitching and moaning
about Reeve and worry about your own lifes. We too can achieve success if
we set goals. We may never walk again but a cure should increase our
functions and mobility and rid of vents. As the song goes, We got high
hopes. Maybe for Mr. Reeve to survive he needs to believe he will walk
some day. I use music to keep my hopes and my happiness intact. Music
soothes the soul. Sorry for the long winded response.
Kevin M. Rudolph E-Mail: turbokev(AT)iglou.com
Kentucky Colonel WWW: http://members.iglou.com/turbokev
Louisville, Kentucky 40214 The Bluegrass State