Christopher Reeve and the Future of Spinal Cord Research

Actor-director Christopher Reeve died Sunday at his home in New York of heart failure. He was 52.

'Superman' Star Christopher Reeve Dies at 52 (AP, Oct. 11)

The Superman star broke his neck in May 1995 when he was thrown from his horse during an equestrian competition. In the years since he became an active and vocal proponent for spinal cord research and lobbied Congress for protection for victims of catastrophic injury.

Dr. John Jane, Chair, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia Health System and the physician who treated Reeve right after the accident, was online Monday, Oct. 11, at 3 p.m. ET to discuss Christopher Reeve, victims of spinal cord injuries and the future of spinal cord research.

A transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

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Alexandria, Va.: Dear Dr. Jane,

I was just reading about you recently in Christopher Reeve's book "Still Me." You must be very proud of how your patient fared after this catastrophic accident. Thank you for keeping this extraordinary man alive back then so that he could be with us for so long.

My question is, was this sad outcome typical for long-term paraplegics? Why is that? Also, looking back, is it fair to say Mr. Reeve was "winding down" over this last year? He said in the current Reader's Digest that he had almost died three different times this year, and could not exercise for as many hours a day as previously.

Thank you for being with us today.

Dr. John Jane: I am proud of my role. This is not a typical outcome for paraplegics or quadriplegics. The prognosis for the typical quadriplegic or paraplegic if they survive for more than one year is not much different than the normal population. I wasn't aware that Chris was "winding down". Apparently he had had a problem with an abrasion that he sustained

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San Antonio, Tex.: I know that Christopher Reeve had a genetic disorder of the blood and that he worked closely on genetic issues with NORD (National Organization of Rare Disorders) in Connecticut, as well as being the leading spokesman for individuals with spinal cord injuries. I don't recall the name of Reeve's genetic disorder? Do you know of it and can you discuss it in a sentence or two?

Since I exchanged e-mail with the Reeves' Paralysis Resource Center on the topic of embryonic stem cell research more than a year ago, I'm wondering if Reeve ever brought up his activism in this area with you, Dr. Jane, during a conversation?

Dr. John Jane: I am afraid I don't know the name of his particular and unusual disorder. He was an advocate of embryonic stem cell research and he made that clear on every occasion although he did not think it would be particularly useful in spinal cord injury.

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Lake Ridge, Va.: I belong to the equestrian organization that was running the competition where Christopher Reeve suffered his injury, and I know several people who were there that day. Do you know what Christopher's feelings were towards horses after his injury? Did he ever express any resentment towards them? Or did he recognize that his injury was an unfortunately accident and a byproduct of the dangerous and unpredictable nature of horseback riding.

I thank Christopher Reeve for promoting such a worthwhile cause as the continued hope for those with injuries such as his. He truly was a great role model and advocate.

Dr. John Jane: Not only did he not express resentment towards the horses he specifically wanted no one else to feel resentment either. He recognized that his injury was an accident.

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Blacksburg, Va.: Is it common for people who are paralyzed to suffer major problems as a result of bedsores and is there anything that can be done to stop such a thing?

Dr. John Jane: It is, indeed, common for people with spinal cord injury to develop bed sores. In Christopher Reeve's situation everything was constantly being done to prevent them. Unfortunately, on occasion, this isn't always 100% effective.

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Anonymous: Superman will always be my hero. Christopher Reeve came to Alyn Hospital in Jerusalem just a week after I visited in the summer of 2003 to study the rehabilitative techniques used in its pediatric hospital. This makes me wonder whether our nation routinely sends doctors and researchers to other experts around the globe? What are some of the promising research practices? Thanks,
Sharon

Dr. John Jane: Our nation does not routinely send doctors and researchers around the globe but our doctors and researchers are constantly traveling to other countries to observe research practices.

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New York, N.Y.: Dr. Jane,

Reports are that Christopher Reeve died from a pressure wound. What is this and how did it kill him?

What a loss. CR was a shining example of courage and determination. He was a Superman.

Dr. John Jane: A pressure sore is caused as the name implies by pressure on a hard surface. For example, sitting on a chair without moving for a long period time can cause a pressure sore. In his case, it became infected and apparently the infection spread to his bloodstream and this was the cause of his cardiac problem.

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Greensboro, N.C.: My father was a quad for many years. Once we got him out of the hospital (where they gave him a Grade IV sacral bedsore), he never had a bedsore again. I do not understand why Mr. Reeve had bedsores. Proper attention prevents them. Please comment.

Dr. John Jane: Proper attention almost always prevents bed sores but not always. He had the best possible treatment by wonderful nurses and attendants.

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Durham, N.C.: Was Mr. Reeve going through treatment that caused him to lose his hair. And was it really reasonable for him to expect, someday, to regain some if not all of his motor function? It seemed unlikely at best, and I wonder if his resolve was purely personal or was it also fed by the unreasonable promises of his medical advisers?

Dr. John Jane: It was not unreasonable for him to expect some return of motor function. Indeed, after five years, he did get some return. I don't think any of his medical advisors made any promises at all.

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Washington, D.C.: Did Christopher Reeve really regain some motor functions?

Dr. John Jane: In the year 2000 he began moving both hands.

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Alexandria, Va.: Could you comment on some of the latest breakthroughs in spinal injury research? Are there any new treatments or discoveries that show promise?

Dr. John Jane: There are a number of new treatments that are showing promise. They are all being worked out further in the laboratory on laboratory animals. At some point they will be used on humans.

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Baltimore, Md.: Did Mr. Reeves spinal cord injury help advance spinal cord research funding? I understand that politics prevented a surcharge on speeding tickets to fund such research.

Dr. John Jane: His injury has helped fund research and there are a number of states where traffic violations are used to contribute to research. Re-registration is sometimes used as well.

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Manassas, Va.: Dear Dr. Jane -- thank you for making yourself available for this discussion today. When I heard the news of Christopher Reeve's death this morning, I literally burst into tears and became so distraught I scared my husband. I was living in the Richmond area when his accident happened, and both my husband and I were very shocked and saddened by the news when it broke. This is so unfair! George Burns once said, "I can't die yet -- I'm still booked!" In the Oct. 2004 issue of Reader's Digest there just happens to be an interview with Mr. Reeve, and from reading that interview, it was very obvious he was still booked, too. Now he's been taken from us, and I'm alternating between tears and anger over this because he was so brave and I never once saw him give in to despair, even though he confessed to contemplating suicide in the early days. OK, so he wasn't Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford or Russell Crowe when it came to acting -- but in the end he showed that he was one of the bravest human beings I have ever known in my life. He showed us all that he really was Superman. Thank you, Doctor, and all the other medical staff for all you did for Christopher Reeve and his family as well. Although I'm grateful he's finally free of all the tubes and the wheelchair, I will miss him deeply in my heart for the rest of my life.

Dr. John Jane: Thank you for your comments.

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Anonymous: I grew up with Chris. We went to the same high school -- Princeton Day school. I am sad today.

Did he have sepsis and septic shock? Is this what caused his heart failure?

Molly J. Hall

Dr. John Jane: Yes. Christopher will be truly missed by all of us.

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