He fought angry villains and withstood kryptonite.

But he lost his final battle to paralyses a couple of weeks ago.

Christopher Reeve, who is best known for his role in the Superman movies, passed away Oct. 10 from heart failure at age 52 after an extensive battle with a neck injury following a horseback riding accident in 1995. Although Reeve lost his battle with the incurable injury, he helped better the chances of others to prolong life or possibly recover from paralyses with his many efforts in research.

Some don't believe in stem cell research and the many other research programs Reeve participated in, but they haven't ever been paralyzed. They've never flown with Superman's cape on.

Any type of hope to walk again is worth a shot for those paralyzed. Reeve knew that first hand and made every effort in doing so. Republicans, Democrats, conservatives and liberals all wanted to get close to Reeve because he provided hope.

God sent his son to earth and while here he worked his many miracles and healed those ailing. Later, he created a world of healers, some just choose not to. Reeve answered his calling. Talk about being a superhero.

Although Reeve stayed confined to a wheelchair during his last nine years on earth, most of which he was hooked up to a ventilator, he didn't rollover and wait on his time to meet his maker. He did what he could in hopes of making a difference for those who knew what it was like to never walk again.

Reeve could have left this world earlier, with his movies as the only things for his fans to remember him by, but he chose to continue to work, not on the big screen, but for his fans. He may have left earth in a wheelchair, but surely he snatched up his red cape from the pearly gates once in heaven and is flying once again.

Rest in peace Superman.

Adam Prestridge is editor of The Luverne Journal. He can be reached at

335-3541 or

via email at adam.prestridge@ luvernejournal.com