Reeve gave them hope

By: GREG SCHARF - For The Californian | Thursday, October 14, 2004 11:24 PM PDT ∞

Life changed radically for Debbie Flynn two years ago. It was a mother's worst nightmare: Her 20-year-old son Pete was injured in a traffic accident in Escondido, and became a quadriplegic.

There was a lot of praying, but for the first week she didn't think she was going to make it. Then she got on the Internet and found the Christopher Reeve Foundation, now known as the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center http://www.paralysis.org and she found the most important thing that anyone in that situation needs ---- hope.

Like many, she now mourns for Christopher Reeve.

SheÝtold me that he changed the world's attitude in regard to spinal cord injuries. He raised awareness of the problems experienced by the incapacitated and used his star power to become a very visible advocate. Yet he had a much more important role ---- to provide inspiration.

Reeve served as an example that a full life can be had by those with a spinal cord injury. Despite being a quadriplegic, breathing though a respirator, Reeve continued to act ---- two years after his accident, he made his directorial debut with "In the Gloaming" on HBO in April 1997. The film was was nominated for five Emmys and won six Cable Ace Awards, including best dramatic special and best director.

The following year, Reeve's autobiography, "Still Me," was published by Random House in April 1998 and spent 11 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List. His audio recording of "Still Me" earned Reeve a Grammy. He starred and served as executive producer in a remake of the Alfred Hitchcock thriller, "Rear Window," for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and won the Screen Actors Guild Award for best actor in a television movie or miniseries.

He also served as an advocate, lobbyist,and a resource for the families of those with paralysis, as well as Alzheimer's, MS, Lou Gehrig's disease and other disorders of the central nervous system. Reeve also educated families about the importance of having adequate health and disability coverage. (Insurance does not pay for Pete's rehab.)

Debbie and Pete have traveled to St. Louis, where the foundation provides treatment, and in May had the pleasure of meeting their hero, someone who took the role of Superman to higher levels. He was on a speaking tour, and they met with him in a hotel. She said that he had a powerful, intense presence, piercing blue eyes,Ýa deep sense of compassion, and showed great interest in what Pete and his family were going through.

Reeve had planned to come to participate in a fund-raiser for the Quad Foundation, an organization Debbie founded. San Diego is a mecca for research, and Reeve was very interested in coming out to visit.

Pete was introduced to the Ergys II stationary bike at the Reeve Foundation. It uses a computer to send electrical impulses to his legs.ÝThe Quad Foundation is currently raising funds to buy a truck and trailer so that other quadriplegics can use his. Debbie can be reached through www.PeteFlynn.org.

The life, courage and dedication of Christopher Reeve is an inspiration to all of us. He gave the most precious gift of hope to those who previously didn't have any.ÝAnd why not? He was, after all, Superman.

Greg Scharf of Temecula is a regular columnist for The Californian. E-mail: Gscharf7@aol.com.