REMEMBERING CHRISTOPHER REEVE: (1952
– 2004)
October 10, 2004 marks the 8th
Year anniversary of his death.
With America celebrating Disability Awareness Month, we take a look at how an unfortunate accident dramatically changed the life of the Silver Screen hero, which led him to become the Voice for spinal injury suffers internationally.
We know him best for his portrayal of DC Comic Hero, Superman.
In 1995, Christopher Reeve became a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic after he suffered a spinal cord injury in a tragic horse riding accident.
In 1995, Christopher Reeve became a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic after he suffered a spinal cord injury in a tragic horse riding accident.
Not long after he returned home from hospital, Christopher began to
search for ways to help other people with spinal cord injuries, by using his
name and celebrity status. He urged the scientific world to push forward in
researching new ways to help improve the quality of life for those whose lives
were affected by this type of injury.
Together with his Wife, they set up the Christopher & Dana Reeve
Foundation. The Foundation provides much needed information, advice and support
for people with paralysis and their families.
Their website has some great information on the different types of assistive technology and includes a list of “2012 Best Apps for Individuals Living with Paralysis” .
Since the invention of smart phones and tablets, its been possible for people with disabilities to access a whole new world of technology which previously was unavailable to them.
Assistive Technology has moved on from hard to obtain,clunky, expensive hardware to having the power in your pocket, with thousands of free downloadable apps. Not to mention the ability to customise accessibility options on your device to suit your needs, whether you have a visual, cognitive or motor impairment.
Christopher fought to increase research funding and attention at a
federal level by appearing in front of Congress as a patient advocate.
On the 10th October 2004, Christopher Reeve passed away from heart failure. He would have been 60 years old this year. He left behind a legacy that continues to assist many people with spinal cord injuries through therapy, grants, support groups, a massive resource centre and the Foundation is heavily involved in stem cell and other research.
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Links:
http://www.christopherreeve.org
http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.mtKZKgMWKwG/b.8295959/k.2F05/2012_Best_Apps.htm
Links:
http://www.christopherreeve.org
http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.mtKZKgMWKwG/b.8295959/k.2F05/2012_Best_Apps.htm
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