It’s been two decades since the world lost the legendary Christopher Reeve, who played Superman on the big screen and was a superhero in real life. His three children—Alexandra, Matthew, and Will—are stepping forward to honor their dad’s memory in a touching new documentary. They’re sharing intimate stories about his journey after the life-altering accident that changed everything, and how he continued to inspire millions even from his wheelchair.
Alexandra: Remembering Her Dad's Resilience
Alexandra, now 40 and a lawyer based in Washington, D.C., recalls the tough moments her dad faced after the 1995 equestrian accident that left him a quadriplegic at just 43 years old. "He would have been the first to admit that there were times when he felt bitter," she says candidly. "It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There were definitely days when he was frustrated with his circumstances, and rightly so." Alexandra shares how her father’s resilience stood out, even in the darkest of times. "He refused to let his situation define him," she adds.
Matthew: The Type-A Personality That Pushed Everyone
Elder son Matthew, 44, a filmmaker, remembers his dad as someone who always expected excellence—not just from himself but from everyone around him. "With Dad, you had to put in the effort," Matthew explains. "He didn’t tolerate laziness or mediocrity." After the accident, Christopher’s competitive nature turned inward. "He was now competing against himself," Matthew says. "If he managed to breathe off the ventilator for 30 minutes one day, he’d push himself to do it for 31 minutes the next." It was this relentless drive that kept Christopher moving forward, no matter the challenges.
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Will: The Indomitable Spirit That Never Faded
Youngest son Will, 32, a TV journalist, says his father’s unstoppable spirit remained intact even after the accident. "Before the accident, Dad was always on the go," Will recalls. "He couldn’t sit still for a second. But after the accident, while he had to physically sit still, his mind and heart were always racing." Will emphasizes how his father continued to grow as a person, not just as an advocate for spinal cord research but also as a husband, father, and global citizen. "He pushed himself to be better in every aspect of his life," Will says with admiration.
Christopher Reeve wasn’t just an activist before the accident; he became an even more powerful voice for those living with disabilities afterward. His children remember how tirelessly he worked to raise funds for spinal cord injury research and support people with long-term disabilities. "He didn’t just talk the talk—he walked the walk, or rather, wheeled the walk," Alexandra jokes. The Reeve family’s legacy continues to inspire countless individuals around the world.
