On the 27th May 1995 one of my heroes, actually a lot of people's hero, Christopher Reeve suffered a serious and unfortunate accident whilst horse riding which would not only leave him fighting for his life but also a quadriplegic.
Here was the man who too many was the man of steel, Superman now stuck in a wheelchair with no feeling from his shoulders down.
Yet like his super hero character, Christopher Reeve didn't give up, he kept on fighting, believing that one day he would walk again right up until he sadly passed away in October 2004, 9 years after the accident.
Following his accident as he tried to rebuild his life Christopher Reeve became a champion to others in similar situations, and too many with other serious illnesses, as he campaigned for more funding into research, made public speeches highlighting the plight of many and at the same time found time to write "Still Me".
"Still Me" is I suppose technically a biography delving into all those expected elements of childhood, his desire to act, the big break as well as his personal life, relationships and love of life.
But interweaved in between all these standard biographical elements is Reeve's account of the accident, the emotion of learning that he was a quadriplegic along with the years of recovery and campaigning.
The first time I went to read "Still Me" I found it hard going and not just because I was reading about a hero who suffered a life threatening accident.
No, the reason I found it hard going is because it chops about, so to start with you get two quite hard hitting chapters about that fateful day in May 1995, the build up to the accident and then what went on in the hospital immediately after.
Then the next chapter takes us back to Christopher Reeve's childhood delivering an insight into how he loved life before switching track and giving us another chapter focussing on Reeve's long road back from the accident.
It feels a little disjointed but after the first few chapters you get use to it especially as the chapters which focus on Reeve's life following the accident become both inspirational and insightful.
From a traditional biography point of view it covers all those standards including childhood, troubled relationships, his own family and children plus of course plenty about his career both as an actor and director.
One of the hardest hitting things to come across is that before the accident Christopher Reeve was insanely active and enjoyed everything from climbing, sailing through to horse riding which he had become accomplished at.
You also get a sense that as much as Reeve enjoyed acting on the big screen he loved to act on the stage and there is a fondness which exudes from his words as he describes his various stage performances, touring the UK and working with the likes of Katherine Hepburn among many other notable names.
Of course for many Christopher Reeve was Superman and as such he gives a very personal account about the movies and his performances in them.
But it's also fascinating learning so much about the other movies he appeared in as well as the various movies which he turned down such as "American Gigolo" and "Romancing the Stone".
Plus you also get a charming look at the various friendships he had with actors such as Katherine Hepburn and Robin Williams who became a life long friend following them becoming room mates whilst studying at Julliard.
There is also that other element to "Still Me" which focuses on the riding accident and his rehabilitation, learning to live life in a wheelchair with limited movement.
As you would expect this side of "Still Me" is very hard hitting especially when you read about the various problems which Reeve experienced, the initial depression when he learnt that he was a quadriplegic and several near death experiences thanks to complications.
But whilst hard hitting it's also inspirational because despite being a quadriplegic Reeve continued to live a fulfilling life and learned to breathe for short periods of time without the use of the ventilator As well as covering his initial spell in hospital and through rehabilitation it also allows us into his life following the accident.
We learn all about his talks with spinal specialists, his tireless campaigning for more research funding as well as the occasional struggle to adjust to life in a wheel chair when all around him were the reminders of the active life he once lead.
What comes across is that whilst having every right to be maudlin, Reeve continued to lead a remarkable life as he turned his hand to directing, continued to act and although had some dark days always had the belief that he would once more walk.
All in all "Still Me" is a brilliant read, it may feel a little disjointed to start with but it delivers that biographical feel whilst also being remarkably uplifting as Reeve gives a very personal account of his accident and living life as a quadriplegic.
Here was the man who too many was the man of steel, Superman now stuck in a wheelchair with no feeling from his shoulders down.
Yet like his super hero character, Christopher Reeve didn't give up, he kept on fighting, believing that one day he would walk again right up until he sadly passed away in October 2004, 9 years after the accident.
Following his accident as he tried to rebuild his life Christopher Reeve became a champion to others in similar situations, and too many with other serious illnesses, as he campaigned for more funding into research, made public speeches highlighting the plight of many and at the same time found time to write "Still Me".
"Still Me" is I suppose technically a biography delving into all those expected elements of childhood, his desire to act, the big break as well as his personal life, relationships and love of life.
But interweaved in between all these standard biographical elements is Reeve's account of the accident, the emotion of learning that he was a quadriplegic along with the years of recovery and campaigning.
The first time I went to read "Still Me" I found it hard going and not just because I was reading about a hero who suffered a life threatening accident.
No, the reason I found it hard going is because it chops about, so to start with you get two quite hard hitting chapters about that fateful day in May 1995, the build up to the accident and then what went on in the hospital immediately after.
Then the next chapter takes us back to Christopher Reeve's childhood delivering an insight into how he loved life before switching track and giving us another chapter focussing on Reeve's long road back from the accident.
It feels a little disjointed but after the first few chapters you get use to it especially as the chapters which focus on Reeve's life following the accident become both inspirational and insightful.
From a traditional biography point of view it covers all those standards including childhood, troubled relationships, his own family and children plus of course plenty about his career both as an actor and director.
One of the hardest hitting things to come across is that before the accident Christopher Reeve was insanely active and enjoyed everything from climbing, sailing through to horse riding which he had become accomplished at.
You also get a sense that as much as Reeve enjoyed acting on the big screen he loved to act on the stage and there is a fondness which exudes from his words as he describes his various stage performances, touring the UK and working with the likes of Katherine Hepburn among many other notable names.
Of course for many Christopher Reeve was Superman and as such he gives a very personal account about the movies and his performances in them.
But it's also fascinating learning so much about the other movies he appeared in as well as the various movies which he turned down such as "American Gigolo" and "Romancing the Stone".
Plus you also get a charming look at the various friendships he had with actors such as Katherine Hepburn and Robin Williams who became a life long friend following them becoming room mates whilst studying at Julliard.
There is also that other element to "Still Me" which focuses on the riding accident and his rehabilitation, learning to live life in a wheelchair with limited movement.
As you would expect this side of "Still Me" is very hard hitting especially when you read about the various problems which Reeve experienced, the initial depression when he learnt that he was a quadriplegic and several near death experiences thanks to complications.
But whilst hard hitting it's also inspirational because despite being a quadriplegic Reeve continued to live a fulfilling life and learned to breathe for short periods of time without the use of the ventilator As well as covering his initial spell in hospital and through rehabilitation it also allows us into his life following the accident.
We learn all about his talks with spinal specialists, his tireless campaigning for more research funding as well as the occasional struggle to adjust to life in a wheel chair when all around him were the reminders of the active life he once lead.
What comes across is that whilst having every right to be maudlin, Reeve continued to lead a remarkable life as he turned his hand to directing, continued to act and although had some dark days always had the belief that he would once more walk.
All in all "Still Me" is a brilliant read, it may feel a little disjointed to start with but it delivers that biographical feel whilst also being remarkably uplifting as Reeve gives a very personal account of his accident and living life as a quadriplegic.