Actor Christopher Reeve Dead at 52

Fox News ^ | October 11, 2004 | Fox News

[daylate-dollarshort]

Actor Christopher Reeve Dead at 52
Monday, October 11, 2004

BEDFORD, NY — Christopher Reeve, the star of the "Superman" movies whose near-fatal riding accident nine years ago turned him into a worldwide advocate for spinal cord research, died Sunday of heart failure, his publicist said. He was 52.

Reeve fell into a coma Saturday after going into cardiac arrest while at his New York home, his publicist, Wesley Combs told The Associated Press by phone from Washington, D.C., on Sunday night.

Reeve was being treated at Northern Westchester Hospital for a pressure wound, a common complication for people living with paralysis. In the past week, the wound had become severely infected, resulting in a serious systemic infection.

"On behalf of my entire family, I want to thank Northern Westchester Hospital for the excellent care they provided to my husband," Dana Reeve, Christopher's wife, said in a statement. "I also want to thank his personal staff of nurses and aides, as well as the millions of fans from around the world who have supported and loved my husband over the years."

Reeve broke his neck in May 1995 when he was thrown from his horse during an equestrian competition in Culpeper, Va.

[IndyTiger]

And look for John Kerry to politicize his death and blame Bush for it at the next debate.

Yes, I'm sure Kerry will find a way to exploit this somehow. The Dims have no shame, they are so desperate in their grab for power.

[Old Sarge]

PING to the Wake for Chris Reeve.

We're about to see a thread which will set the record for the most ZOT'ted posts.

I have been a devoted fan of Superman since youth. Chris Reeve brought my hero to life, and I'll be eternally grateful for his work.

I saw three of the Superman films in the theaters, but passed on the fourth. It was clear by then, that Reeve truly did want to "escape the cape", as he said in a later interview. I can't fault him; I think I'd get that way too, if it were me.

I wanted to take the time to remember and thank a good and talented man, whom I'll never meet in person. His wife and kids are hurting, and our best wishes go with them.

[FITZ]

I didn't know he had only been riding for a couple years. That makes jumping even more dangerous --- it isn't a sport for beginners.

[trussell]

Prayer ping.

My prayers for Christopher Reeves. He will be missed!

Blessings,
trussell

If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.

[laurenmarlowe]

Thanks for the ping Sarge.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[tuffydoodle]

I read his book "Still Me" and he said that he was trying out lots of dangerous sports, the last one being riding and jumping. On another thread, someone said that his trainers were advising him against jumping the courses he was riding, telling him he wasn't ready. Any way about it, he took a big risk and lost.

[wita]

Used in prison camp medicine in WWII and also I believe in previous wars. Probably a treatment that goes way back but gets forgotten in new technology. Like leaches which are still used for some treatment as well.

[prairiebreeze]

Pressure sores are VERY difficult to prevent entirely in patients who are so immobile. Even meticulous nursing care sometimes just isn't enough.

That said, prayers for this man's family also said.

Prairie

[wita]

Bless you, I just got out of ICU, and the nursing care was amazing. I thought I was in heaven. Except when it came time to remove the glue patches for the heart monitor. Took some time because my skin was really sensative, at least they let me do it and didn't rip them off. I think it took me two days in the normal part of the hospital to work them off.

[Flux Capacitor]

R.I.P. Chris. Thanks for Superman and Somewhere in Time. I'll miss you, but I'm glad to know you're walking once again.

-Dan

[TankerKC]

RE: Ken Caminiti--Just Damn! He is (was) my age...and I had a heart attack this year! No coke or steroids here, though.

[hummingbird]

I have seen men I thought were strong fade and give up after such an injury. They die quickly. Or they yield to the impulse of suicide. The only reason we know that Reeve despaired is because he told us. Just think how many young spinal injury patients have been encouraged by the indomitable example of Christopher Reeve!

My very thoughts, too, CN 18F. May he rest in peace and his family and friends be comforted by one another and by the Great Consoler of broken hearts.

[Blue Collar Christian]

I don't care what Superman says, you don't harvest baby parts to further ANY cause.

This "hero's" star could really have been something to everyone, not just the liberals, if he didn't push stem cell research. Sadly, he goes down with most, and appears a shining example to the lost.

[devolve]

[tob2]

Woke up this morning to hear of his death. What a shame. What a loss. My heart goes out to his family.

[hummingbird]

The maggots clean away every bit of decayed/infected flesh but they do not eat healthy flesh. They provide superior results where antibiotics fail. In fact, this is what was used before there WERE antibiotics.

Very interesting, isn't it? I had heard that maggots and leeches were both making a medical comeback.

[tob2]

Yes, it seems to be that way.

[hummingbird]

I hope he is cavorting with his horses with God today.

What a beautiful hope, Cboldt...thank you for expressing such a joyful picture!

[TexConfederate1861]

Friend:

Let me educate you a little. First: I am totally opposed to abortion. I have a friend who is 35 years old and has 3 children, age 10-15. She has Lou Gehrig's Disease, ALS, and we are raising money to send her to China for Stem Cell treatment. It has had remarkable results, even stopped the diease. This is the only chance we have to save her life. I am opposed to abortion, but if they are going to kill the babies anyway, why not use the stem cells to save a life? (at least until abortion is outlawed!) This woman is a good, devout, Christian, and deserves a chance to live.