His words resonate.
Reeve, whose life was drastically changed in 1995 following an equestrian accident, shares his personal story with unexpected openness. In "Nothing Is Impossible", he allows the reader to feel the immediacy of suffering which is thrust upon someone who becomes disabled in one swift moment. His story delivers shocking reality to the often used phrase "life-altering experience". As Reeve recounts his darkest days following his instantaneous transformation from able-bodied man to C-2 vent-dependent quadriplegic, it becomes apparent that giving up can never be an option.
Reeve emphasizes the importance of a positive mentality in the connection which exists between mind and body. Easy? No, he never portrays the inner work a disabled person must do as easy. His words resonate as he reveals that fear and self-doubt which are born from disability and setbacks in recovery can be more paralyzing than the physical impairment itself. Frustrations, which seemingly build one upon another, must be shattered by a never ending willingness to overcome. Reeve also underscores the vital roles played by family, caregivers, doctors, and therapists, as well as the faith and hope which must pepper each of those relationships.
The irony of Superman.
It seems ironic that it is left to Reeve, who played Superman in the movies, to teach us how to live as Super-humans. As Reeve works to regain lost physical ability, and works as an advocate for health care reform and to increase awareness with regard to research, he simultaneously serves as an inspiration and motivator.
Reeve writes, "The emotional extremes of adjusting to a catastrophic illness or disability range from suicidal despair to recovering an appetite for life. Somewhere in between is a gray area of numbness". Reeve's second book is a vivid lesson in living outside the gray area and regaining that appetite.
