"Superman Walks
[Date]25.03.02 They told him he would never walk again. That was
seven years ago, but at last night's Oscars ceremony Christopher
Reeve delighted the watching millions by hauling himself out of his
wheelchair and striding across the stage to present a lifetime award
to his old friend Robin Williams.
A riding accident in May 1995 left Reeve paralysed form the neck
down. He snapped two vertebrae and seemed condemned to spend his
life in a wheelchair, breathing with a ventilator and speaking
through a voice box. Yet the former Superman has regained the use of
his arms, legs, bladder, bowel - and voice.
How did he do it? Prompt use of methylpredisolone, a steroid,
reduced initial damage. Then tissue was transplanted to act as
bridge across which motor neurons could reconnect.
Reeve spends hours every day on a treadmill to build up his leg
muscles. It is his determination that has made him an icon for
quadriplegics worldwide."
[Photo inset of Reeve standing with the caption: Reeve: back on his feet]
Written by Simon Crerar
(From: The Sunday Times Chronicle of the Future, Tomorrow's News Today 2000-2009 (published 14.02.99))
The Sunday Times is including a supplement for the next 5 weeks on
life in the future (years 2000-2009) and reporting it as news
higlights, as if they have/will take place.
To share your clairvoyant skills you can go to
http://www.sunday-times.co.uk and head for the 'Chronicle of the
Future' link or Email: [log in to unmask]
Matthew Barnett
"I believe in surgery"
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