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Introduction
In 1995, actor Christopher Reeve fell off a horse and severely damaged his spina
l cord, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. From then until his death in 2
004, the silver screen Superman became the most famous face of spinal cord injur
y.
Most spinal cord injury causes permanent disability or loss of movement (paralys
is) and sensation below the site of the injury. Paralysis that involves the majo
rity of the body, including the arms and legs, is called quadriplegia or tetrapl
egia. When a spinal cord injury affects only the lower body, the condition is ca
lled paraplegia.
Christopher Reeve's celebrity and advocacy raised national interest, awareness a
nd research funding for spinal cord injury. Many scientists are optimistic that
important advances will occur to make the repair of injured spinal cords a reach
able goal. In the meantime, treatments and rehabilitation allow many people with
spinal cord injury to lead productive, independent lives.