We were all saddened by the death of Superman star Christopher Reeve. The much-loved actor was confined to a wheelchair in 1995 after a horse-riding accident and then passed away in 2004.
Just 17 months after his death his wife and caregiver Dana also passed after suffering a malignant lung tumor, despite never smoking. Now their son Will Reeve has opened up about losing both of his parents as a young teenager and how he is honoring their memory with his inspirational attitude toward life.
Will, their only son, was left without both parents at the tender age of 13 and describes the heartbreaking moment in a letter to his 13-year-old self, writing, “You’re at the lowest point of your life. You’re in a hospital room in New York City, and you’ve just said your final goodbye to Mom.
“You’re 13. She’s 44. Lung cancer. Never smoked. Gone, just like Dad, who died a year-and-a-half ago, which at the time was the lowest you had been.”
Will, who is now 26 years old, could have gone downhill or off the rails at suffering such trauma at such a young age but thanks to his parents strong guidance and his own strength of character he did not allow himself to descend into darkness.
“There’s nowhere to go but up, and that’s exactly where you’re headed. You will always remember the good stuff,” he said.
The contributor to ESPN’s SportsCenter, a job he promised his parents he would achieve one day, has stated that the guiding hand of his parents made him the person he is today. “They were the people who told me to turn off the TV, to eat my broccoli, to go to bed,” he said.
“I understand that not every child experiences going to the grocery store and seeing their dad on the magazine at the checkout aisle. But … it was a totally normal childhood.”
Will, who is building quite an impressive resume for himself, recalls the moment his Hollywood star father taught him how to ride his bike while in his wheelchair.
“I didn’t believe it was gonna work,” Will recalled. “I’m terrified, but I have my dad’s voice behind me going, ‘Steady, steady, left, right, left, right.’…That meant so much to him. Later on, I would race him in the wheelchair.”
Will says their wonderful examples as parents continues to guide him adding: “But you know that in the years ahead, you will face no obstacle greater than the one you are starting to overcome right now, and no matter which way your journey leads, mom and dad will be there with you every step of the way. How lucky are you?”
What an inspirational young man Will Reeve is. Despite having to endure the loss of both of his parents at such a young age, he is honoring their memories with his attitude and achievements every day. Please share if you agree.
