Saluting Superman

Laughter has the power to restore life, as Christopher Reeve recalled. Making his first public appearance since a fall from a horse left him paralyzed from the neck down, the American actor described how his will to live was rekindled by the clowning of his old friend Robin Williams. His fellow actor visited Mr. Reeve in hospital, leaping about the room in blue surgeons hat and yellow gown and speaking with thick Russian accent, “I laughed for the first time since my accident. I knew life was going to be okay”

Those were brave words, bravely spoken at an awards ceremony for Mr. Williams, where Mr. Reeve made his first public appearance since his accident in May. The truth, as he and everyone knows, is that life is never again going to be okay for Mr. Reeve. Few who saw him on television, immobile in a wheelchair can have failed to feel the anguish of his position. The cruelty of his spinal injury destroyed, at a stroke, his youth, his career and his mobility. But it has not destroyed his spirit. There have been black moments. But he has found the strength to fight them.

Terrifying accidents happen everyday. Neither wealth, fame nor virtue can protect a human being from random, malign chance. The medieval world understood this, and made it part of its religious outlook. Today, however, catastrophes are thought avoidable, and when they occur they are often hidden behind the walls of hospitals and rehabilitation centres. The importance of Mr. Reeve’s public appearance is that he is a public figure a screen idol to many and as such his resolution set a valuable example to others in equal discomfort.

Inevitably the greatest challenge for the actor and anyone imagining such a sudden lossis to focus their attention beyond their own situation. This is why self-pity has so often been the enemy of healing. Those victims of terrible diseases who excite the greatest admiration and love are those who look around at others in similar trouble and use their remaining energy to comfort them or press their case. Aids sufferers who suddenly discover a new humanity in themselves are those who move us most and impel us to give money for the fight against the disease.

Christopher Reeve has indicated that he, too may now involve himself in campaigns for other quadriplegics. Stephen Hawking another brave victim of disease, is happily able to pursue a cerebral career, and has demonstrated how disability can be set aside. Superman will never resume his old role but in facing, in front of a million screens, the greatest challenge imaginable he is indeed given truth to his film title.

(Courtesy, The Times. London)