Research is able to address some of the common symptoms with varying degrees of success.
For example, Dr. Ragnarsson said that muscle spasms could now be effectively treated with medication that is taken orally or through the use of a small drug pump implanted within the body, and some doctors have treated spasms effectively with Botox.
And while the most common cause of death for people with paralysis used to be kidney failure from recurrent infections, Dr. Ragnarsson said, "this is no longer so," because of advances in treatment.
"The life expectancy of people with spinal cord injury has been increasing every year for the last 50 years," Dr. Ragnarsson said.
Dr. Wise Young, the chairman of the department of cell biology and neuroscience at Rutgers University and a friend of Mr. Reeve, said that combination therapies, including the transplantation of stem cells to repair damaged nerves, are showing promise in animal studies and are generating excitement for possible future treatment in humans.
"What makes me so sad is Christopher Reeve did not live so long as to see the fruits of this - not only for himself, but for others," Dr. Young said.
Treating the infections and other medical problems that accompany paralysis was a large part of Mr. Reeve's work as an activist.
And though Mr. Reeve is most closely associated with his work on behalf of stem cell research, he also pushed to expand research on improving the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries.
Once patients get past the initial shock and emotional blow of paralysis, Dr. Ragnarsson said, "the majority of people with spinal cord injury say they have made an adjustment, and have relatively high quality of life."
Ms. Messinger said this was a lesson of Mr. Reeve's life for many people: giving the impression of living a normal, independent life.
"Life does go on, and you can accomplish a lot," she said.
She completed a master's degree after her accident and now works in the litigation department of a pharmaceutical company.
"It's a lot of hard work to make it look easy," Ms. Messinger said.
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Article comments
1 - Claire Robinson
An interesting, informative and valued account of both Christopher Reeve, his death, and his injury. I too was greatly saddened at his death. He was doing some great work in an effort to aid people with similiar and/or related conditions.
Thank you for this piece.
Claire
2 - Mac Diva
I agree that the WaPo had the best explanation of Reeve's death. I cited their package about him on my thread about his death. I also made a point of saying that pressure wounds do not normally follow the causal path Reeve's did. I think it important to emphasize that before people latch onto to something inaccurate. In an online chat at the WaPo, a physician who treated Reeve during the early years of his paralysis did what he could to dispel some of the nonsense cropping up, such as there is some kind of "winding down" process for people with SCI. But, considering how people are, no telling what claptrap they will end up believing.
Considering your interest in SCI, I think you would enjoy reading Teddy Pendergrass autobiography, Truly Blessed, which I've reviewed. He does an excellent job of describing living as a quadriplegic. BTW, he had a bout of dysreflexia at the famous Live Aid concert. It was hot and there was no air conditioning. His temperature spiraled, sparking autonomic responses. Fortunately, his aides controlled it by packing bags of ice around him.
(For people not exposed to the subject matter, quadriplegics cannot control their body temperature. They are unable to sweat below the point of injury.)
Of course, with my background, I thought about issues of negligence while reading about Reeve. But, I'm going to withhold judgment until I know more. Reeve had a very powerful personality. He made have made the decision about whether to be hospitalized to care for his pressure wound. Reminds me of Pendergrass, again. He traveled to an awards show while requiring an operation on a pressure wound. So, let's wait and see.
3 - Eric Olsen
Exceptional post Joe, perhaps your best and most important ever - I really appreciate the information beign presented in such a clear and logical manner. Now I'm sadder still about it since it never should have happened
4 - E. John Love
Thank you for writing this detailed and informative description of the medical details and issues surrounding the death of this inspirational person. I have cited your article on my own blog.
Thanks again.
John.
5 - Mac Diva
Typo in previous comment: He may have made the decision about whether to be hospitalized to care for his pressure wound.
I've seen a few other pieces online alleging negligent care, but none of them substantiate the claim, either. Such a case turns on why Reeve was being treated when and where he was. It is possible his doctors approved the home treatment and/or that Reeve refused suggestions he be hospitalized. He spoke to scientists working on SCI research within a week of the day he died. Seems that he was very determined to adhere to his work schedule. Again, I think people should wait and see before assuming Reeve's caregivers were at fault for his death.
6 - donkey
this was horrible