Controversial post regarding Christopher Reeve...

[Disney01]

First let me say, that when I was a teenager, I was the biggest Superman, Chris Reeve Fan ever. On my 13th birthday, we went to see Somewhere in Time. I wanted to marry Chris Reeve. But, my Mom and I were talking...Would you want to continue living if you were in the condition that Chris Reeve was in? I don't know if I could live as a quadrapalegic...Paraylzed from the neck down, unable to breathe on my own. His looks even changed...He almost looked like a wax doll after his accident. I know he did a lot...especially for stem cell research. But, I don't know as an individual, if I would want to live for 9 years that way. What about you??

 

[damo]

I think I would want to stay alive, even if it is only to watch my kids grow up. However, I don't think anyone could say for sure unless you are in that position.

 

[Dan Murphy]

A tough call, tough thought, though he certainly wanted to be alive, and the human instinct for self preservation is one of the strongest. Sad day.

 

[aprilgail2]

Iwas thinking about this when I read he died and I figure that I wouldn't want to be alive like that..even to see my kids grow because of the burden that I would be on the whole family..they couldn't live a normal life with me like that and I couldn't live the life I would want to.

 

[wvjules]

I've thought about that too. I don't know if I would have enough will to live through that situation. Heck, I barely have the will to live as it is! I'm not sure what I would do.

 

[Kitty 34]

My first DH was in an accident a few weeks after our wedding ( so long ago) and ended up a quadripalegic. For the longest time he hated me for "saving" him after his dive into the lake. Things didn't work out for us but I did end up seeing him years later. He said it took him a long time to accept his way of life but he did.

Me? I broke my neck a few months after my first DH but I was fortunate not to sever my cord. I still to this day don't know if I could have lived with paralysis.

RIP Mr. Reeves.......

 

[janette]

I've watched some of the interviews and he's said he did for his family. He also admitted that it was hard. I'd like to read his book, it probably has insight into his feelings on this.

I think that is one of the things he did that was so remarkable, not only did he survive but continued to make an impact. Probably more after the accident than before.

I think I'd want to see my kids grow up, but not sure how I'd feel about being so handicapped.

 

[LoraJ]

Every year I would see him at a charity event. While I am sure it was very hard to live like that, I appreciate all of the charities and awareness that he tried to bring to the world.

The charity event won't be the same withut him this year.

 

[Tinkertude]

The stuff heros are made of. God bless his soul and comfort his family.

 

[TnKrBeLlA012]

My father was 52 when he went in for bypass surgery. He ended up having a stroke and was paralyzed on the left side of his body. He was also on a respirator for several months. He was able to come home for a short time. My husband and I moved in with my mom to help take care of my dad. My dad was a strong man who owned a business and always took care of his family. Now this strong man was reduced to having his children help him with every moment of his daily life. At night he would cry and ask why he had to live like this. He mentioned several times that he wanted to die. We as his family loved him so much that we couldn't imagine him gone. To some degree we were selfish. At that time I couldn't even imagine him gone. But the sad truth was he was suffering so much. He died two months to the day he came home. I would never want to see someone I love live like that. I know my dad is in a much happier place. A place he can walk and be free of machines. I will never forget what a great dad I had.

 

[ilovepcot]

No....absolutely not! I was a private nurse for many years taking care of terminally ill and severely handicapped people. I witessed things you couldn't dream of and saw what this type illness or handicap does to the patients and the families. Everyone suffers.

 

[Geoff_M]

I had a friend that died of ALS a few years back. At his memorial service it brought tears to my eyes when his wife said that Al still thought he "was the luckiest man alive" up until the day he died... that's just the kind of guy he was. I can only hope that I could emulate him if faced with a similar situation some day.

 

[Strings]

For those of you who have strong feelings about how you would not wish to live, I would highly suggest that you make a living will/durable power of attorney. Be as explicit as you can. Then tell ALL the members of your family what those wishes are. Please appoint someone who can make the hard decisions as your DPOA.

 

[chadfromdallas]

But, I don't know as an individual, if I would want to live for 9 years that way. What about you??

Absolutely! But only with hope of returning to normal.

Eventually, the current president will be replaced and Stem Cell Research will lead to growing back and replacing damaged parts.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Because of being a celebrity, he was able to bring so much attention to research and funding of that research - He knew that - I think that, besides the love for his family, is what kept him going -

 

[MosMom]

Christopher Reeve often spoke of how lucky he was. I suppose whether or not you would want to live would depend on how rich your life was (not talking about money). It is easy to say "I wouldn't want to live like that" when you aren't but when faced with the thought of never seeing my husband or my kids again, I would choose his path I think.

There were probably days in the beginning where he wished he had died, however, he moved beyond that. The human spirit is pretty amazing.

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by chadfromdallas
Absolutely! But only with hope of returning to normal.

Eventually, the current president will be replaced and Stem Cell Research will lead to growing back and replacing damaged parts.

I think that's what Reeves was living for. The hope that he would one day be able to walk

Contrary to what the second paragraph if this post may imply, stem cell research is happening today. It doesn't need govt funding for it to happen. There are plenty of motivated private entities involved in stem cell research.

 

[Kendra17]

An earlier poster mentioned his book--it was interesting. . .kind of sad despite his optimism.

I don't think I'd want to have survived that accident--I think that type of dependency would be awful.

About the stem cell research. The government stopped funding on NEW embryonic stem cell lines, but is still funding the ones that were already in existence. Also, adult stem cell research still qualifies for funding.

 

[holycow]

I haven't read everyone else's post but I just want to say that we have a very good friend in Calif ...who became paralyzed 15 years ago....they actually made a movie about him called "It's good to be alive" He and his family are the most amazing people you could ever want to meet....he said at first he didn't know if he could continue on but his life has been so precious....he did tell a cute story though.


He said when he was young he wanted to be the best athlete but there was ALWAYS someone better, so he would be the best achedemic....but there was always someone smarter and then he tried music but there was always someone who could play better than him. Well, when he became a quad. he decided he would be the best one there is .....then superman got hurt! and so he realized he'd just be the best that he could be. To hear him tell it is so cute. wonderful, wonderful people....

He even writes little thoughts to all of his grandkids on the internet each week so they will have a letter from grandpop.


Holycow

 

[RobinMarie]

We were talking about this at work the other day and others did not agree with me - I say there is a reason for everything! Live Live Live! Don't think about what you can't do, think about what you can! I agree with other posters who said they'd want to live to see their children grow.

I'd want to see how a lot of things turned out in this world.