Reeve to receive degree

[Jeff]

Christopher Reeve will be posthumously awarded an honorary degree at Stony Brook University's commencement in New York on May 20.

Reeve, who starred in four "Superman" films from 1978 to 1987, died Oct. 10 at age 52 of complications from an infection caused by a bedsore. He became a spokesman for spinal-cord injury victims after a 1995 horse riding accident left him a quadriplegic, using his celebrity to lobby for more money for biomedical research.

His doctor of humane letters degree will be accepted by Stony Brook graduate student Brooke Ellison, whose own struggle with paralysis was the subject of a 2004 TV movie directed by Reeve.

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/living/11609706.htm

~See you at the CareCure-used-to-be-paralyzed Reunion http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/wavey.gif ~

[alissa]

c'mon now, with all the budget woes plaguing the education system in this country, giving a dead man a degree is ridiculous. Next time the alumnii association calls for donations, I'll be sure to remind them of their frivolous expenditures.

Proud to be a Stony Brook graduate?

www.gravityfreegraphix.com (http://www.gravityfreegraphix.com)

[Jeff]

alissa - how much do you think that honorary diploma cost?

~See you at the CareCure-used-to-be-paralyzed Reunion http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/wavey.gif ~

[alissa]

Jeff,

There is a ceremony attached. People get paid to set up, clean up, arrange things. Anyway, my point is that it's ludicrous to give a dead guy a degree. Money, time and sentiment is better spent on the living. I'll bet there's some actual living, breathing person out there who might deserve AND truly benefit from such a degree - and might even change the world.
I'm pretty sure it doesn't make a difference for Reeve.

www.gravityfreegraphix.com (http://www.gravityfreegraphix.com)

[Nancie]

if you read the article, it sounds more like an award for brooke ellison, who is getting her PhD at stony brook univ.
http://carecure.org/forum/showthread.php?t=46263
i completely agree w/ alissa.

[Dave H]

c'mon now, with all the budget woes plaguing the education system in this country, giving a dead man a degree is ridiculous. Next time the alumnii association calls for donations, I'll be sure to remind them of their frivolous expenditures.

Money, time and sentiment is better spent on the living. I'll bet there's some actual living, breathing person out there who might deserve AND truly benefit from such a degree - and might even change the world.
I'm pretty sure it doesn't make a difference for Reeve.


Alissa,

According to that statement, we should also forget about Veterans' Day and Presidents' Day. Also, how many worthwhile institutions such as hospitals do you know that receive money from people who wish to honor their dead relatives. Food for thought!

Dave H

[alissa]

Originally posted by Dave H:


Alissa,

According to that statement, we should also forget about Veterans' Day and Presidents' Day. Also, how many worthwhile institutions such as hospitals do you know that receive money from people who wish to honor their dead relatives. Food for thought!

Dave H

None of those days of remeberance focus on any 1 individual. They are days for communities to gather and celebrate. Awarding 1 dead person a title many us nobodies work hard and pay for kind of removes any significance from that title.
AND HE WON'T EVER KNOW!!

He might have done some forward moving things for the sci community, but I happen to know a bunch of excellent folk who do a tremendous amount and don't ever get acknowleged.

www.gravityfreegraphix.com (http://www.gravityfreegraphix.com)

[Jeff]

We celebrate MLK jr day with a federal holiday costing billions in productivity. If we can't spend a couple hundred dollars honoring Christopher Reeve then what has happened to our soul? Reeve fought tirelessly to make the notion of "cure" a reality for people who are paralysed. I say honor Reeve with the degree.... he was a revolutionary and an inspiration to millions. May his legacy live on forever.... or at least while there is anyone, anywhere, struggling to be cured of anything.

~See you at the CareCure-used-to-be-paralyzed Reunion http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/wavey.gif ~

[alissa]

Originally posted by Jeff:

We celebrate MLK jr day with a federal holiday costing billions in productivity. If we can't spend a couple hundred dollars honoring Christopher Reeve then what has happened to our soul? Reeve fought tirelessly to make the notion of "cure" a reality for people who are paralysed. I say honor Reeve with the degree.... he was a revolutionary and an inspiration to millions. May his legacy live on forever.... or at least while there is anyone, anywhere, struggling to be cured of anything.

~See you at the CareCure-used-to-be-paralyzed Reunion http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/wavey.gif ~

Wow, you certainly do put CR on quite a glowing pedestal. Yes, he definitely deserves recognition for highlighting the plight of paralyzed individuals, and helped raise quite a bit of money to support research, but a "revolutionary"?? He is not the 1st, or the last individual to come up with such an idea, or to "inspire" those around him to move toward a cure. He had a HUGE personal stake in any research leading to a cure. Do you think he was such a martyr to be compared to Dr. King Jr.?

I think there are many LIVING people deserving
of recognition that don't get it. Give a degree (or the opportunity to earn it) to someone who can actually USE it.
Set up a college grant or something -
However small, it's a waste of resources a very needy person would probably be grateful for.

And BTW,
the "notion of a cure" existed way before CR's injury, and still remains a "notion" so where's the legacy?

www.gravityfreegraphix.com (http://www.gravityfreegraphix.com)

[Jeff]

Alissa, Reeve is a hero to us for speaking out about cure at a time when ramps, elevators, job training and "acceptance" ruled the day. His legacy is to fight for a cure, regardless. Because it is the right thing to do. We who write letters, raise money and rally in Washington DC and elsewhere are carrying on his legacy.

~See you at the CareCure-used-to-be-paralyzed Reunion http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/wavey.gif ~

[alissa]

Originally posted by Jeff:

Alissa, Reeve is a hero to us for speaking out about cure at a time when ramps, elevators, job training and "acceptance" ruled the day. His legacy is to fight for a cure, regardless. Because it is the right thing to do. We who write letters, raise money and rally in Washington DC and elsewhere are carrying on his legacy.

~See you at the CareCure-used-to-be-paralyzed Reunion http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/wavey.gif ~

Without those "ramps, elevators,job training and acceptance" our lives would be much more challenging, depressing and unproductive. Without them, the idea of cure probably wouldn't exist. Those who "write letters, raise money and rally in Washington DC and elsewhere" are carrying THEIR OWN legacy. Be your own hero and fight for what you need. I don't see how giving a dead guy (yes, I said it again D-E-D)
a degree he didn't even ask for is furthuring any cause at all.

CR is dead, move on.

www.gravityfreegraphix.com (http://www.gravityfreegraphix.com)

[Jeff]

Alissa, there are a few people who feel the way you do. But there are just as many who are proud to carry on the mission Reeve dedicated his life to. They are proud to carry on Reeve's legacy and proud to emulate much of what Reeve stood for. And their viewpoint is just as valid as yours. So, you can give your advice but I doubt any will heed it.

~See you at the CareCure-used-to-be-paralyzed Reunion http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/wavey.gif ~

[CurlieQCarrie]

I agree with Jeff.

Reeve was not only an inspiration to thousands who live their daily lives from a chair, but millions around the world who have had any kind of struggle. I mean, just look at the life he lived compared to many of us. Even though we may be in a wheelchair, many of us have use of our arms, wrists, fingers, etc...he didn't, but still lived a fulfilling happy life. His spirit and optimistic attitude showed that life can be lived, despite any circumstances. For that, he should be recognized, even if he is dead. I think it's a small compensation for his memory when thinking of the huge amount of difference he made in this world.

http://curlieqcarrie.friendpages.com/
Kansas girls put the HEAT in wheat...

[This message was edited by CurlieQCarrie on 05-11-05 at 06:15 PM.]

[This message was edited by CurlieQCarrie on 05-11-05 at 06:15 PM.]

[Jeff]

Thanks, Carrie. Good to hear someone from our community say what an inspiration Reeve was.

CRPF's donation page talks about allowing them "to honor the legacy of Christopher Reeve..."

Your generous contribution will allow CRPF to honor the legacy of Christopher Reeve by funding the research of the world's most distinguished neuroscientists and support organizations around the country that improve the quality of life of people living with disabilities.

CRPF Donation Page (https://www.kintera.org/site/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp?c=dkLQK8MNIpG&b=213374&en=hiIKJUOBLgJPK1MQIeJIL2PHLjL3I8MKInIRJ0OGKaLUJjJ )


~See you at the CareCure-used-to-be-paralyzed Reunion http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/wavey.gif ~

[trainman]

I'm on the line's of Alissa. I think a better way to honor CR would be a donation to CRPF or a memorial grant/scholarship for similar injured students.

Live life as you see fit, not as the world says.

[Jeff]

Trainman, this is happening, too. I think the attention Reeve gets just might increase as Reeve´s ambitions come to fruition in his absence.


The Heart of America Christopher Reeve Award is presented each year to an extraordinary youth who has demonstrated tremendous courage and compassion in serving his or her community.

To nominate a student for the Christopher Reeve Award simply send an email to colleen@heartofamerica.org detailing the following information about the nominee:

<LI> Nominator's name and relationship to nominee
<LI> Nominee's contact information
<LI> Length of time doing volunteer work
<LI> Approximate hours of volunteer service
<LI> Details of volunteer work
<LI> What sets the nominee apart from other volunteers
<LI> Three references with contact information for each
<LI> Any supporting documentation (i.e. awards, articles, etc).

Nominees must be seniors in high school or younger when they are awarded. Nominations are accepted year round, and will be awarded annually each October or November.

An awards review committee will select one student each year for the award, which includes a $1000 scholarship.


http://www.heartofamerica.org/scholarships.asp

~See you at the CareCure-used-to-be-paralyzed Reunion http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/wavey.gif ~

[Jeff]

More of why Reeve is one hero who won't just disappear from radar:

Reeve proved progress possible

BY JAN JARVIS

Knight Ridder Newspapers

(KRT) - For years, doctors and therapists believed there was only a brief window for recovery after a spinal cord injury.

Actor Christopher Reeve, who was paralyzed in a 1995 horseback riding accident, altered that view.

Seven years after his top two vertebra were shattered, Reeve was able to feel light touches and pinpricks on most of his body, said Dr. John McDonald, who directs the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis at Kennedy Krieger Institute and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.

Until Reeve's improvements were documented, no one believed that someone with such a severe spinal cord injury could recover feeling and movement.

...

http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/nation/11695425.htm

~See you at the CareCure-used-to-be-paralyzed Reunion http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/wavey.gif ~

[jayday9]

i'm with jeff...the man did so many great things...he was a warrior and diplomat for all of us...i'd hate to see what things would be like w/o him....

and like jeff said, this degree could be turned into a scholarship fund? his name recognition alone could bring lots of funding for those w/ SCI that need it...

_________
don't ever become content with SCI...

[cass]

Originally posted by alissa:

Jeff,

There is a ceremony attached. People get paid to set up, clean up, arrange things. Anyway, my point is that it's ludicrous to give a dead guy a degree. Money, time and sentiment is better spent on the living. I'll bet there's some actual living, breathing person out there who might deserve AND truly benefit from such a degree - and might even change the world.
I'm pretty sure it doesn't make a difference for Reeve.



no, it probably doesn't make a difference to reeve. just like funerals/memorial services don't make a difference to your dead loved ones.

aren't you missing the point? it makes a difference to THE LIVING, those left to carry on.

why the controversy anyway? these things are given posthumously all the time to all kinds of ppl. no big expense.

"He had a HUGE personal stake in any research leading to a cure. Do you think he was such a martyr to be compared to Dr. King Jr.? "

and you are saying MLK had no personal stake?? wow, how young are you?

[sledhockeygirl]

It doesnt appear there is a big gathering and celebration that wasnt already planned. there is no money being spent other than the cost of the piece of paper. This is happening at commencement!

Sure he may not ever know but Brooke Ellison sure does and so does his family. If this was your family member would you feel differently?

There are a heck of a lot of people who have done a lot for research, but lets be real here...he put it on prime time tv and made everyone aware of it. Attention by the masses helps to make progress.

[Monique]

Jeff, Christopher Reeve was also posthumously awarded an honorary degree here at Rutgers, during University Commencement last Wednesday. (I was there as a Rutgers College Rep.) Barbara Johnson was there to accept the degree. Actually, Chris was supposed to be our Commencement Speaker before he passed away. We had Jane Goodall instead, who delivered a very inspirational speech, and received a very well-deserved standing ovation. Gov. Codey also spoke and also received an honorary degree. Here's an excerpt about Reeve's degree from a Star Ledger article:

http://www.nj.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-0/111648109061380.xml?starledger?nnj
Barbara Johnson, mother of the late actor and spinal cord injury activist Christopher Reeve, also accepted an honorary doctor of humane letters degree on her son's behalf. A beaming Johnson accepted the bittersweet honor and sat down without comment, clutching the degree and the scarlet doctoral hood that would have been draped over her son's shoulders.
Complete Article (http://www.nj.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-0/111648109061380.xml?starledger?nnj)

Not to spur the debate any further, but it really didn't cost much to have Barbara Johnson there and get a diploma and hood. I think it really does mean a lot to the living - to those hoping for a cure and those that are working hard towards it. It sure made me feel proud.

[Jeff]

Monique, that's great. Thanks for letting us know. I bet Mrs. Johnson was fantastic. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

~See you at the CareCure-used-to-be-paralyzed Reunion http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/wavey.gif ~