Christopher Reeve
September 25, 1952 - October 10, 2004
Christopher Reeve was Superman and a Real Life Hero to many people, yet he was most moved by others, stating, " I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. " He adamantly believed that nothing was impossible and worked tirelessly to find a cure for Paralysis. He will be deeply missed always.
Christopher was my hero and my hope. His work has inspired many people. While he was here it was easier for me to sit in my wheelchair knowing he would take care of everything. With his name recognition and connections it was only a matter of time before he walked. Surely if he walked, I would walk. How selfish of me. It is only now with his death, do I realize the responsibility for the Quest For The Cure lies with all of us, no matter how small a part.
This website is dedicated to continuing Christopher's dream of someday finding a cure for Paralysis and keeping his and Dana's torch lit forever.
It gives me great comfort to know that there are organizations and people out there who have fought for many years and continue to fight for a cure for Paralysis and for the quality of life after Spinal Cord Injury. Organizations like CPA (Canadian Paraplegic Association), Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, Wheelchair Services and Rehab Engineering at Winnipeg's Health Science Centre had and continue to have a profound impact on me personally. People like Rick Hansen at the 'Rick Hansen Foundation' with his inspiring and continuing projects. Dr. Wise Young for his endless efforts, insights and for creating the Care Cure Community (link inside). The fight will ongo until we end this terrible portion of human suffering. Anyone living with or caring for someone with Paralysis surely knows what I am talking about.
My mindset is the same as Christopher Reeves. I believe a combination of science and intense physical rehabilitation is the key to the Cure. Thousands of people from all around the world are working hard and from many different angles researching towards a cure for Paralysis. Unfortunately, science has caught up with funding and we need to open more avenues of revenue so that the researchers can fulfill their Quest.
I hope that my story and the information provided at this website will convince you to donate to our Quest For The Cure For Paralysis.
Sincerely,
Doug Barker
Incidence and Prevalence of SCI:
Incidence Rate in Canada – 35 persons/million or 1,050/year
Estimated Number of Canadians living with SCI – 36,000
(source: Canadian Paraplegic Association)
Cost of SCI:
Paralysis, in terms of quality of life and lost opportunities, is devastating. Approximately 80% of all spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs to individuals under the age of 30, with many living a normal lifespan. Financial care requirements, over a disabled lifetime, can vary from $1.25 million for a low thoracic paraplegic to $25 million for a high cervical quadriplegic like Christopher Reeve (requiring continuous ventilator support and 24/7 care). With cervical SCI recently accounting for more than half of all injuries, care costs will only soar.
***The 5th Annual RHWIM Event was a huge success! Over $2 Million was raised.***
***Proceeds go to SCI research and quality of life programs for those living with SCI***
***Yours truly, along with some family and a few friends raised $10,200.00!***
***Join us again on Sunday June 8, 2008!!***
For more information or how you can get involved go to: http://www.rickhansen.com/
