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TwitThis"I Can Wait a Little Longer"
RD: What's your position on embryonic stem cell research?Reeve: I advocate it because I think scientists should be free to pursue every possible avenue. It appears though, at the moment, that embryonic stem cells are effective in treating acute injuries and are not able to do much about chronic injuries.
RD: How have political decisions slowed stem cell research?
Reeve: The religious right has had quite an influence on the debate. I don't think that's appropriate. When we're setting public policy, no one segment of society deserves the only seat at the table. That's the way it's set in the Constitution. So debate all we want, hear from everybody. And then allow our representatives to weigh the factors and make laws that are going to be ethically sound, moral, responsible, but not the result of undue pressure from any particular entity.
RD: Is it hard to be patient?
Reeve: I've lasted more than nine years, so I can wait a little longer. I also realize that a lot of people are watching me, to see what I'm going to do. I want to make sure I'm making a smart choice. I'm not at a point of desperation where I'd say, "Just somebody fix me, anywhere."
RD: Did you ever feel that way?
Reeve: I was much more impatient five years ago. I started out saying, "What do you mean you can't fix the spinal cord?" I remember telling a neurosurgeon, "Don't give me too much information, because at the moment my ignorance is my best asset." Then, over time, as you learn more about the complexities of the central nervous system, and you learn to balance your life -- even to get a life back -- your perspective changes.
RD: Tell us about "The Brooke Ellison Story."
Reeve: It is a remarkable story of somebody with a severe disability who's determined not to be left back. I felt that if I could find one compelling story about a family coping with a spinal cord injury and creating a new life in spite of it, I wanted to do that one film -- and then go off and make a comedy, and not feel guilty! I hope it will do more than all the speeches I've given to raise awareness about spinal cord injury and disability in general.
RD: What has been the biggest loss as a result of your condition?
Reeve: The loss of freedom as I used to understand it. I still have creative freedom, and I have basic freedom, but not the way it used to be.
RD: And what's the biggest gift?
Reeve: The growth of our family, the support we give each other -- my two oldest kids, and Will, and of course Dana, who is by my side no matter what. And that's really extraordinary.
RD: How has this changed your relationship with your wife?
Reeve: I think it drew us even closer.
RD: What's the first thing you would do if you regained movement tomorrow?
Reeve: Complete movement? Restored to normal? Mmmmm... Take full advantage of having complete freedom back again. And you can read between the lines!
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