Christopher Reeve paralysed
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This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from June 1995.
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Reeve suffered "multiple fractures" to the top two vertebrae in the neck and injured his spinal cord, Dr. John A. Jane, a University of Virginia neurosurgeon, said. Jane said the 42-yearold actor may require surgery soon to stabilise his upper spine. The doctor refused to speculate on Reeve's chances for recovery or give any other detail on his injuries.
Reeve was listed in serious but stable condition at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville. He was brought to the hospital on Saturday, 27 may, after he fell headfirst off a horse during a jumping competition in Culpeper, 45 miles north of here. A statement issued by Reeve's brother, Benjamin Reeve, said the family had been besieged by wellwishers. "Christopher deeply appreciates having received expressions of good will from so many people," the statement said.
"As the medical statement indicates, we do not know what lies ahead."
Reeve's wife, Dana, was among the relatives at his side, publicist Lisa Kasteler said. Kasteler said Reeve was conscious.
Reeve owns several horses and has competed regularly in equestrian events. Witnesses to the accident said his horse had cleared two of 15 hurdles during a jumpingcompetition and stopped abruptly at the third, flinging him to the ground.
His athletic, 6-foot-4-inch frame and love of adventure made him a natural, if largely unknown, choice for the title role in the first "Superman" movie in 1978. He insisted on performing his own stunts. Although he reprised the role three times, Reeve often worried about being typecast as an action hero.
He also played an embittered, crippled Vietnam veteran in the 1980 Broadway play "Fifth of July," a lovestruck time-traveller in the 1980 movie "Somewhere in Time," and an aspiring playwright in the 1982 suspense thriller "Deathtrap."
