In honor of what would've been Christopher Reeve's birthday today I present a pic spam!



But I have another motive. Before you click on the cut please consider sponsoring Matthew Reeve. He is running the NYC Marathon in memory of his father to raise money for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Or you could just make a donation direct.

Still need convincing?

Your generous contribution will be put to immediate use supporting work that is changing people's lives every day, like:

The groundbreaking North American Clinical Trials Network, which is moving the most promising spinal cord therapies from the laboratory to the patient.
The NeuroRecovery Network, a group of rehabilitation centers that are pioneering activity-based therapies to help people improve their health, function, quality of life and independence and as a result, open new doors in their lives and careers.
Cutting-edge research projects and international workshops that are exploring exciting promising new strategies for repairing damaged spinal cords.
Quality of Life grants that are improving the lives of individuals and families living with paralysis.

Ultimately, the work that Christopher and Dana began 14 years ago depends on the enduring commitment of people like you. Only with your support can we help people with paralysis lead more active, healthier lives. Only with your help can we make Christopher's dream of curing spinal cord injuries a reality.

Christopher never stopped believing in that goal. I know that you won't either. Please join us in celebrating his birthday by making the one gift he would treasure most -- a tax-deductible donation to further the work of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

SOURCE: Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

Ok, now for the fun :)

( The idea is that you get another chance – in life, in relationships – if you’re open to it. If I never go anywhere again, this will have been worth it. )

Had enough yet? Want more....? Ok....

( For everyone who thought I couldn’t do it… for everyone who thought I shouldn’t do it… for everyone who said, ‘It’s impossible’… see you at the finish line! )

If you enjoyed that please comment :) And If you know someone else who might enjoy this pic spam - pimp away! or why not comment and link your own :)

• 16:31 Support Reeve Foundation, add a #twibbon to your avatar now! - twibbon.com/join/Reeve-Foundation #

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HOW DID I MISS THIS AWESOME NEWS?! x-posted to reeve_stillme



And from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation site:

The landmark legislation, which enjoyed bi-partisan support, will promote collaborative research, rehabilitation and quality of life initiatives for millions of Americans living with paralysis and spinal cord injuries. It was introduced in the Senate by Tom Harkin (D-IA), who worked closely together with Christopher and Dana Reeve to promote expanded research and quality of life for people living with paralysis, particularly spinal cord injuries.
Peter T. Wilderotter, president and CEO of the Reeve Foundation, remarked, "In less than one month, with swift action, President Obama has twice expedited the promise of hope of medical research for so many. We commend his continuing commitment to improving the lives of millions living with paralysis."
........

Wilderotter concluded, "Advancements are made every day in spinal cord injury research, but the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act will speed progress and make research efforts more efficient."
The Act has three components that support and enhance paralysis research, rehabilitation, and quality of life programs:
Paralysis Research - Expands research on paralysis at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This will encourage collaborative research by connecting scientists conducting similar work to further enhance understanding and speed discovery of better treatments and cures.
Paralysis Rehabilitation and Care - Builds on research to enhance daily function for people with paralysis, including a Clinical Trials Network, to measure effectiveness of certain rehabilitation tactics and encouraging shared findings on paralysis to improve rehabilitation.
Improving Quality of Life for Persons with Paralysis and Other Physical Disabilities - Works with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve the quality of life and long-term health status of persons with paralysis and other physical disabilities.

This is a HUGE achievement and step forward towards the goals of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. :D :D :D I hope they had a party, and I hope Chris and Dana up there did too.

Obama - I think you just made Superman's day. Am talking about this piece of news:

Paralysed patients will this summer become the first people in the world to receive a therapy based on human embryonic stem cells, in a study that promises to open a new era for medicine, The Times has learnt.

The first human trial of the technology, which has huge potential to cure disease yet is considered unethical by “pro-life” groups because it involves destroying embryos, will today be cleared to proceed by US regulators.

The decision marks a sea-change in US government attitudes to stem cells, as President Obama prepares to lift restrictions imposed by President Bush that hampered progress in the field. Mr Obama pledged in his inaugural address to “restore science to its rightful place”, and to end White House obstruction of stem-cell research.

More here.

For those who may be wondering - Christopher Reeve fought tirelessly in favour of such research believing it to be the most promising avenue of science for to help cure paralysis and many other diseases. I hope your smiling up there at this news :D

It's a year ago that Dana Reeve passed away. She is missed and in her honour the Christopher Reeve Foundation has been renamed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation (CDRF). Help the foundation keep their goals and MOVE FORWARD

+ Don't Forget in a week's time:



A funny clip to get in the mood!



And a serious note for what its all in aid of:



^ this must have been the first "appeal" video I ever responded to at a young age. It still impacts me now 'Forget geography...'