Strength
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”

—Christopher Reeve


Christopher Reeve was first introduced to movie audiences as Clark Kent in "Superman" in 1978. He followed his Superman fame by acting in many more movies, including the "Superman" sequels, and numerous theater productions. He was extremely busy as an activist, championing causes for the environment and the arts, among others.

In 1995, however, Reeve's life changed dramatically. As an active sportsman, Reeve loved riding horses and participating in jumping competitions. But at an equestrian competition in May of 1995, Reeve was thrown from his horse. The injury was severe. With two vertebrae in his neck broken, he was paralyzed from the neck down. Reeve's prognosis was grim: He wouldn't walk again or even breathe without the help of a ventilator.

Rather than give up, Reeve became determined to beat paralysis and his spinal cord injuries. The passion he’d shown previously for a variety of worthy causes coalesced into a focus on spinal cord injuries and nervous system disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Reeve, along with his wife Dana, established the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to raise money for research and to support people living with paralysis. He continued to act and became a director with several movies to his credit.

Reeve died October 10, 2004, after suffering heart failure, but his strength will never be forgotten. Millions still see him as “Superman”—not only for his beloved movie role, but also for his personal strength and his efforts, against tremendous personal challenges, to make a difference in the fight against paralysis.

Strength. Pass It On!

This billboard about Strength features Christopher Reeve (1952-2004); actor, director, producer, author, advocate.

Pass It On®

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Your Comments
Anonymous APRIL 3, 2019
Love Garth Brookes

Judy from Arkansas MARCH 13, 2018
When I had to wear a neck brace because of bulging discs . Christopher Reeve was my inspiration . He had it a whole lot worse than I did, and he just kept on going.

Anonymous JANUARY 10, 2018
I Love Your Movies I Enjoy It!

Tamara from Missouri JUNE 18, 2017
I look for qualities in people that I can emulate, I find "grace" in Christopher Reeves.

Bob from New Orleans NOVEMBER 14, 2016
love

Sylvia from Donna, TX SEPTEMBER 25, 2016
He will always be our Superman!

Clark from Smallville SEPTEMBER 8, 2016
man i miss him

Evan from Toronto SEPTEMBER 8, 2016
keepher goin

Justin from San Fracisco JUNE 28, 2016
Excellency!!

pen griffey from toronto APRIL 14, 2016
This is a very inspiring story!!

Drake from Toronto MARCH 1, 2016
This is a very inspiring story!

Jared MARCH 1, 2016
He was a good man

kersten FEBRUARY 2, 2016
wow

mishtre FEBRUARY 1, 2016
wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

carlos from here JANUARY 14, 2016
cool

Peyton from Unknown JANUARY 6, 2016
yyyeeesssssss

Sam NOVEMBER 22, 2015
He is Superman in both character and himself!

Lucas OCTOBER 9, 2015
Wow

Briyanna from North Carolina SEPTEMBER 10, 2015
he taught me to belive in myself.

Larsen Raj from Bangalore, India  AUGUST 22, 2014
missing you superman ,, your life is really an inspiration for me.......

elliot from wa MARCH 23, 2013
Christopher Reeve inspires me to never give up and keep moving forward.

christopher leach from two rivers middle magnet school east hartford FEBRUARY 4, 2013
I like superman he is so cool!

emily felix from 21 florence street FEBRUARY 4, 2013
I love you super man.

rowan from ontario NOVEMBER 6, 2012
My mom sprained her ankle and can't drive but she is trying to do everything over again.

Henry from Nigeria MAY 14, 2011
This is an example of strength, courage and determination.

Carlos C from Los Angeles, CA DECEMBER 14, 2010
So inspirational.

Destiny from MI NOVEMBER 24, 2010
This is a good billboard. I really like it. We read a story about him in 6th grade.

Sylvia V. from Donna, TX OCTOBER 29, 2010
As a superman fan, I enjoyed him, but as a super man, I highly repsected, admired and loved him. He will always be my "superman."

Aruna J from Mumbai, India MARCH 4, 2010
I met him in his movies in India and was his fan!! Felt sad when we lost him. His strength is an inspiration.

MIKAELA A from SALEM, NH DECEMBER 30, 2009
CHRISTOPER REEVE WAS A NICE MAN. I DID NOT MEET HIM, BUT HE WAS A VERY NICE MAN. KEEP IT UP CHRISTOPHER! KEEP IT UP!

Kirthishri M.V. from Bangalore, India NOVEMBER 16, 2009
He is not Superman in films; he is a super man in real life.

Thomas R. from Brookings Oregon MAY 20, 2009
Christopher Reeves showed strength by fighting his paralysis and continuing to act and direct until he died

Elisa J. from Brookings MAY 19, 2009
Not only was he strong, he was inspirational! The will to never give up and help others when you're having a bad day is not commonly found in people.

Christopher from Williamsburg, VA JANUARY 18, 2009
I was moved immediately when I saw this on the way through North Carolina. After losing him just a few years ago, I was taken aback to see him on a billboard. And with that one word "Strength"... Even now I find myself getting emotional.

Michelle S. from Charlotte, NC JANUARY 9, 2009
I saw this billboard on my way to work one day, shortly after he died. I had to pull myself together just to go into my office. He was, is, and will ALWAYS be a Superman to me. And Dana, rest her soul, will always be his Lois Lane.

M.k.L from Oregon OCTOBER 21, 2008
Awesome!

Paul C. from Minnesota FEBRUARY 10, 2008
As a paraplegic myself, I truly understand how strong and "super" this man (and his courageous wife) were.

Anonymous NOVEMBER 14, 2007
he realy IS super man.

Brittany H. from Hendo, North Carolina USA SEPTEMBER 11, 2007
He was very strong.

Cheyenne H. from Downey JULY 30, 2007
Strength describes him. He is a superman!

corky from san antonio, texas JULY 9, 2007
I always loved him... and always will. He is my superman, my hero

MariaGrazia S. from Suwanee, Georgia USA JULY 9, 2007
Bingo! You used the perfect picture for this billboard! I worked for him before his accident as a movie Set Assistant. His personal kindness and spirit in this photograph shows the 'real' him. It shows his golden heart and spirit stayed the same after the ordeal. Thank you so much... this is the billboard that made me discover your organization. Please keep showing it over and over again...

Lady Samm from Toronto, Canada JUNE 27, 2007
He certainly embraced SUPER everything. Super wife, super children, super friends, super memories. Sad that their light has been extinguished however in our hearts they still shine.

Andrew A from Corvallis, Oregon USA JUNE 22, 2007
Very powerful! - Was, and still is the personification of true strength!

Devin R. from North Carolina, USA JUNE 4, 2007
We should all be inspired to live like Superman and know that it's inner strength that really matters!!!

Anonymous MAY 29, 2007
"He is superman. I thought he was a great man. (I still do.)" me five.

Anonymous MAY 23, 2007
Good day. Useful Links!!!

T.T Turkey MAY 2, 2007
me four.. ;)

R. H. from Utah APRIL 16, 2007
I printed this out/cut it out & thumbtacked it to my pod wall at work. I see it everyday and I am reminded that I am not paralyzed and I can do this! The billboard made me cry. My life isn't so hard- just somedays it feels like it is.

J. K. R. from Florida APRIL 9, 2007
me three

Anonymous APRIL 3, 2007
me too.

Steph G. from Pennsylvania APRIL 3, 2007
He is superman. I thought he was a great man. (I still do.)

Rox P from Canada MARCH 24, 2007
Strength says so much, he truly is a Super man.


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