This week my professor challenged us to research something related to the progress in brain research. I decided to write about the late Man of Steel, (a personal hero of my wife and myself) Christopher Reeve, and the progress he made after his spinal cord injury in 1995. Technically speaking, the brain is connected to the spinal cord and both are parts of the nervous system. The article I read can be found here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2002/sep/17/science.highereducation
First, some background: Reeve was injured when his horse halted before a jump and he landed on his head. His first and second vertabrae were crushed, effectively leaving his brain separated from the rest of his body. He was left wheelchair bound, had to have a respirator tube connected to his lungs, and was dependent on nurses aides the rest of his life. This is a complete 180 degree turn for a man who was cast as the most iconic superhero ever.
Thus began his quest to hope. It was his hope that inspired him to do everything possible to someday walk again. He threw himself into physical therapy, using the same work ethic that helped him get in shape to play Superman. When originally cast for the role in the 70s, he began training in the gym to fit the part physically. He expanded his chest by 4 inches and gained 20 pounds of pure muscle. After the injury, he, and his team of therapists and trainers to his dying day, daily worked his muscles and other joints. The theory he believed and practiced was that by keeping the body active, the neurological pathways his brain was separated from could reestablish themselves. What were his results? Because of his therapy, Reeve regained feeling in 65% of his body, being able to feel the prick of a needle and tell the difference between hot and cold again. He was able to move his finger on command and straighten his legs. Reeve was able to get off his respirator and breath on his own for 30 minutes. Bear in mind, this is after he had to have his spinal cord completely reattached! These results, according to some doctors, weren't supposed to happen. They were nothing short of miraculous.
Reeve didn't stop there. He founded or led a number of organizations dedicated to drawing attention to curing people with similar conditions to his. He pushed for politically backing for Spinal Cord and Stem Cell research. The amazing thing, to me, was that he also went back to work, making films and television appearances again. "I've still never had a dream that I'm disabled," he says. "Never."
Faster than a speeding bullet? No. More powerful than a locomotive? Not really. But he still flew. Don't even try to argue with me. Christopher Reeve IS Superman.
First, some background: Reeve was injured when his horse halted before a jump and he landed on his head. His first and second vertabrae were crushed, effectively leaving his brain separated from the rest of his body. He was left wheelchair bound, had to have a respirator tube connected to his lungs, and was dependent on nurses aides the rest of his life. This is a complete 180 degree turn for a man who was cast as the most iconic superhero ever.
Thus began his quest to hope. It was his hope that inspired him to do everything possible to someday walk again. He threw himself into physical therapy, using the same work ethic that helped him get in shape to play Superman. When originally cast for the role in the 70s, he began training in the gym to fit the part physically. He expanded his chest by 4 inches and gained 20 pounds of pure muscle. After the injury, he, and his team of therapists and trainers to his dying day, daily worked his muscles and other joints. The theory he believed and practiced was that by keeping the body active, the neurological pathways his brain was separated from could reestablish themselves. What were his results? Because of his therapy, Reeve regained feeling in 65% of his body, being able to feel the prick of a needle and tell the difference between hot and cold again. He was able to move his finger on command and straighten his legs. Reeve was able to get off his respirator and breath on his own for 30 minutes. Bear in mind, this is after he had to have his spinal cord completely reattached! These results, according to some doctors, weren't supposed to happen. They were nothing short of miraculous.
Reeve didn't stop there. He founded or led a number of organizations dedicated to drawing attention to curing people with similar conditions to his. He pushed for politically backing for Spinal Cord and Stem Cell research. The amazing thing, to me, was that he also went back to work, making films and television appearances again. "I've still never had a dream that I'm disabled," he says. "Never."
Faster than a speeding bullet? No. More powerful than a locomotive? Not really. But he still flew. Don't even try to argue with me. Christopher Reeve IS Superman.
No comments:
Post a Comment