The world was stunned when Superman himself, Christopher Reeve, was left paralyzed from the neck down in a horseback riding accident in March of 1995. One can only imagine what it’s like to lose the use of your body.

But in a heartwarming story, Reeve’s beloved wife Dana said seven words to him that he later said “saved” his life.

Seven Powerful Words

On Monday, DC Studios released a trailer for the new documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story. Directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, the film follows Christopher’s rise to fame in the 1970s and 1980s through his devastating horseback riding accident that caused his paralysis.

The documentary features archival footage of Christopher, who died in 2004 at the age of 52. It also features archival footage of Dana, who died of lung cancer in 2006. One of the most emotional moments of the trailer came when Christopher talked about how Dana’s love inspired him to keep going after becoming paralyzed.

“I ruined my life and everybody else’s. I won’t be able to ski, sail, throw a ball to Will. Won’t be able to make love to Dana. Maybe we should let me go,” Christopher remembered thinking.

 “And then she said the words that saved my life: ‘You’re still you. And I love you,'” he continued.

Related: Christopher Reeve Documentary ‘Super/Man’ Deal Being Finalized

Christopher’s History

Born in 1952, Christopher attended Cornell University and the Juilliard School. He later made his Broadway debut in 1976 in A Matter of Gravity, which starred Katharine Hepburn.

Christopher became a household name in 1978 when he was chosen over 200 other actors to play the leading role in Superman. He would go on to play the original superhero in three more movies.

However, Christopher was also determined not to be typecast as Superman, so he made sure to branch out and do other projects. His other famous film credits include Somewhere in Time (1980), Deathtrap (1983), The Bostonians (1984), The Remains of the Day (1993) and Village of the Damned (1995).

Sadly, Christopher’s life changed forever on May 27, 1995. When he wasn’t acting, Christopher was a strong athlete who was an avid horseman. During an equestrian competition in Virginia, Christopher was thrown from his horse, breaking his neck in the process. He was then left paralyzed from the neck down.

Related: Robin Williams Figured Out How to Lift Christopher Reeve’s Spirits After Tragic Accident

Christopher Beats The Odds

This injury would have destroyed many people, but not Christopher. From then on, he became an activist for people with spinal cord injuries. He also lobbied for government funding of embryonic stem-cell research. 

After maintaining a grueling physical therapy regimen, Christopher was able to move his index finger in 2000. He often said that he was determined to walk again. Though Christopher sadly was not able to accomplish that, he beat the odds in a variety of ways in the final years of his life.

“Before [Reeve] there was really no hope,” one of his doctors said in his obituary. “If you had a spinal cord injury like his there was not much that could be done, but he’s changed all that, he’s demonstrated that there is hope and that there are things that can be done.”

That’s what Superman does. He provides hope.

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is set to hit theaters next month. Be sure to check it out if you want to learn more about this incredible man!

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