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After the second presidential debate, in which John Kerry used the word "plan" 24 times, I said on television that Kerry has a plan for everything except curing psoriasis. I should have known there is no parodying Kerry's pandering. It turned out days later that the Kerry campaign has a plan -- nay, a promise -- to cure paralysis. What is the plan? Vote for Kerry. This is John Edwards on Monday at a rally in Newton, Iowa: "If we do the work that we can do in this country, the work that we will do when John Kerry is...

Two excellent human beings died this week, long before their time. One thing connects Kirby Puckett, baseball player, and Dana Reeve, actress and widow of Christopher Reeve. It is Ernest Hemingway’s immortal definition of heroism, “grace under pressure.” This man and this women were both heros. Kirby Puckett was a Hall of Famer, one of the finest athletes in Minnesota in any sport. As an outfielder and slugger for the Minnesota Twins, he made the impossible seem natural with his skills. There’s an article in the Pioneer Press, “Weren’t the Cheers Only Yesterday?” which captures the magic of his ability....

She died of lung cancer. Haven't found any links yet. Heard it on WLSAM Chicago.

http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050219/NEWS01/502190311/1002

Bush Restricted Funding For Stem Cell Research WASHINGTON (AP) Christopher Reeve’s widow, Dana Reeve, is going to President Bush’s State of the Union address in hopes of hearing him propose additional support for medical research. Reeve, who is attending Wednesday night as the guest of Rep. James Langevin, D-R.I., has been a vocal advocate of embryonic stem cell research. And Langevin said Tuesday that, “it is my hope that having Dana present at the State of the Union will help refocus the nation’s attention and the president’s attention on stem cell research and the need for more funding.” Reeve, who...

DOCTORS IN RUSSIA PROVE STEM CELLS CAN BE USED IN TREATING SPINE INJURIES MOSCOW, December 6 (RIA Novosti) - It has been widely believed until recently that nerve cells cannot reproduce themselves, especially those of the spinal cord. But doctors at the Neurology Clinic of Russia's Blokhin Oncology Research Center have now challenged this belief by performing six successful surgical operations on patients with spine injuries. The patients, thought before the surgery to be bedridden for the rest of their lives, are now learning to walk again, the Trud newspaper reports. It was Andrei Bryukhovetsky, Director General of the Neurology...

SEOUL (AFP) - A South Korean woman paralyzed for 20 years is walking again after scientists say they repaired her damaged spine using stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood. Hwang Mi-Soon, 37, had been bedridden since damaging her back in an accident two decades ago. Last week her eyes glistened with tears as she walked again with the help of a walking frame at a press conference where South Korea (news - web sites) researchers went public for the first time with the results of their stem-cell therapy.

Another Superman is dead. Not the Superman of my childhood, George Reeves, who was found shot dead by a German Luger in 1959. Although there was no note or other indication that Reeves had killed himself, the police ruled it a suicide. The actor, too identified with his TV role, had become depressed over his inability to find work. It was a sad end for an actor who 20 years earlier had made a tiny splash as one of the charming Tarleton twins courting Scarlet O’Hara. I was fourteen, and my friends and I thought it was funny. Superman killed...

Reeve's Star-Packed Tribute Saturday October 30, 08:25 AM For the last nine years of his life, Christopher Reeve was paralyzed, yet he still managed to move the hearts of innumerable individuals. More than 900 people turned out Friday to pay tribute to the late actor at an invitation-only memorial at the Juilliard School in New York, where Reeve honed his craft more than 30 years ago before bursting onto the big screen as Superman. Individuals who figured in different aspects of Reeve's life were due to speak at the service, including family members, fellow actors, like-minded activists and politicians. Reeve's...

Have You No Shame Senators? Judson Cox In January, I wrote a column entitled “The John Edwards North Carolina Knows.” I accused Sen. Edwards of being a side show huckster, a snake oil salesman, a man willing to exploit any situation and use any person to advance his career. I based my evaluation of Edwards, not only on his public statements, but on my personal experience with him. I knew his faults, because I know the man. Many people responded, angrily defending Edwards. This week, Edwards proved my point. Edwards said, at a rally in Newton, Iowa, “... when John...

Tammy Bruce just mentioned on her radio show that Kerry claimed he received a messages from Christopher Reeves on his cell phone last Saturday (October 9) after the debate on Friday night. As we know, Christopher Reeves passed away on Sunday. The only problem is that Reeves "fell into a coma on Thursday after going into cardiac arrest at his New York home." WHOTV.com, Des Moines

Christopher Reeve's shocking death at age 52 is cause for deep mourning over the loss of a remarkable human being and for rededication to the cause he fought for: medical research across the board. Reeve, as the whole world knows, was the victim of a horrific spinal cord injury. But he did not limit his activism to finding a cure for his own affliction. He was an advocate for every disease victim - and everyone who could be cured of a disease in the future. In the midst of this presidential campaign, his death is legitimately focusing attention on his...

WASHINGTON -- After the second presidential debate, in which John Kerry used the word ``plan" 24 times, I said on television that Kerry has a plan for everything except curing psoriasis. I should have known there is no parodying Kerry's pandering. It turned out days later that the Kerry campaign has a plan -- nay, a promise -- to cure paralysis. What is the plan? Vote for Kerry.      I'm not making this up. I couldn't. This is John Edwards on Monday at a rally in Newton, Iowa: ``If we do the work that we can do in this country,...

Stem Cell Research: In more than 2,000 years, only one man who walked the Earth has done what John Edwards says John Kerry will do if elected. And His name isn't on the ballot. In perhaps the most egregious example of political pandering in American political history, Edwards, in a 30-minute speech before 1,300 supporters jammed into a Newton, Iowa, high school gymnasium for a Monday morning campaign rally, promised the crowd: "We will stop juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and other debilitating diseases. . . . When John Kerry is president, people like Christopher Reeve are going to get up...

Christopher Reeve's obsession with stem cell research could cost other areas of medicine, warns Michael Cook. Why are we rushing to canonise Christopher Reeve? To US presidential hopeful John Kerry, the quadriplegic actor who died this week was "truly America's hero". To NSW Premier Bob Carr, he was "the most impressive person I have ever met". No one questions the bravery, intelligence and iron will of the paralysed actor. And his global recognition as the face of disability was unparalleled. But there is a downside. Reeve's almost fanatical determination to walk again could end up burdening Californians with a huge...

Kerry aide accused over 'Superman' stem cell claim 13/10/2004 - 15:02:05 Vice-presidential hopeful John Edwards has sparked a row by claiming that under a John Kerry administration “people like Christopher Reeve will get up out of that wheelchair and walk again”. Mr Edwards raised eyebrows with the pledge at an election campaign rally, a day after the death of the paralysed Superman actor was announced. The Kerry team has repeatedly promised that it would allow stem cell research if in power, opening the way for potential cures for diseases. By contrast President George Bush has placed strict limitations on the...

There’s an old joke that goes: "Daddy, is it true that all fairy tales begin with the words 'Once upon a time'?" "No, Virginia. Most begin with 'I promise when elected that...'" It appears that Edwards has taken his cue directly from that joke, so it must be close to an election because the insanity is running rampant. On October 11, Edwards (the low-flow John) said: "When John Kerry is president, people like Christopher Reeve are going to walk. Get up out of that wheelchair and walk again." It is utterly amazing that Edwards could say such a thing, but...

Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign has used the death of Christopher Reeve to highlight its differences with President Bush over embryonic stem-cell research, but the actor himself expressed doubt over the ability of the cells to treat chronic injuries such as the paralysis he suffered from a horse-rising accident nearly a decade ago. Reeve, a leading advocate for finding a cure for spinal cord injuries, died Sunday night, shortly after Kerry mentioned his name in Friday night's debate to argue for federal funding of the controversial research, which opponents, such as President Bush, argue destroys human life. In an interview...

October 13, 2004 -- TEMPE, Ariz. — John Edwards is claiming that if John Kerry wins the White House, paralyzed people like Christopher Reeve will get out of their wheelchairs and walk again — touching off a pre-debate fury. That claim is "shameful" and a "falsehood," shot back the U.S. Senate's only doctor, Majority Leader Bill Frist, heading into tonight's final Bush-Kerry debate in Arizona. Edwards made his startling boast of miraculous cures to come in Newton, Iowa, after the death on Sunday of "Superman" Reeve, who was paralyzed in a 1995 horse-jumping accident. "If we do the work that...

Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist blasted vice presidential hopeful John Edwards on Tuesday, after Edwards promised that if John Kerry wins the election he'll cure paralysis victims like the late actor Christopher Reeve. Calling Reeve "a powerful voice for the need to do stem cell research," Edwards pledged Monday, "If we do the work that we can do in this country, the work that we will do when John Kerry is president, people like Christopher Reeve will get up out of that wheelchair and walk again." In a conference call with reporters the next day, Frist fired back. "I find...

There's a thin line between advocacy and exploitation. Supporters of more federal funds for stem cell research, such as John Kerry [related, bio], should be wary of crossing it following the death of Christopher Reeve.      Reeve inspired millions with his courage, including not only those facing spinal cord and other life-changing injuries and illnesses, but also those of us simply encouraged by his strength of spirit. Reeve also helped raise millions of dollars for spinal cord injury research, including human stem cell research.      That work continues, as dedicated scientists make huge advances in the field, particularly with the use of...

McDonald said that he and Reeve had spoken about the possibility of donating his brain and spinal cord for study. But Goldberg said yesterday that there would be no autopsy.

At a campaign rally yesterday, John Edwards used the death of Christopher Reeve to score political points. He said that that the needs of those with spinal ailments such as Reeve have been neglected by the Bush administration, and even went as far to suggest that under a President Kerry that they would be able to walk again. Their contention is that Bush is choosing the life of a cell over human beings by not expanding federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Firstly, the truth is that President Bush has never banned it, he simply stopped federal spending on...

John Edwards ridiculous claim of "...when John Kerry is president, people like Christopher Reeve are going to get up out of that wheelchair and walk again." is more proof of the basic lack of respect for life that many liberals espouse. They use the death of others to further their own political aspirations. This lack of respect seems to show itself more than ever at election time as evidenced by the now infamous Paul Wellstone memorial where, sadly, his death was used by friends of his to try and get Mondale elected.

Edwards Stem Cell Vision: 'We will stop juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and other debilitating diseases... When John Kerry is president, people like Christopher Reeve are going get up out of that wheelchair and walk again.' Edwards made the unprecedented campaign promises during 30-minute speech at Newton High School gym in Newton, Iowa...

If the quote on Drudge is accurate -- and I've been told it definitely is -- than Edwards should be so ashamed of himself. He allegedly said 'When John Kerry is president, people like Christopher Reeve are going to walk. Get up out of that wheelchair and walk again..." This is outrageous beyond belief. I really hope I don't have to explain why. Update: K-Lo beat me by 2 minutes. Grrr. Clearly she's feeling the power of John Kerry run through her.

The death of Christopher Reeve illustrated something that those who live with paralysis know all too well: the challenges go far beyond the inability to walk. "Walking is the least of it," said Donna Messinger, who is 43 and has been paralyzed since an automobile accident in her senior year of college. Mr. Reeve died of cardiac arrest on Sunday. He had previously been treated for a severe systemic infection that was, in turn, caused by a pressure wound, the medical term for a bedsore, a common complication for people who are paralyzed. Mr. Reeve was, in fact, one of...

RUSH: Jeff in Madison, Ohio. Nice to have you with us. Welcome to the program. CALLER: Thanks, Rush. It's great to talk to you. RUSH: Thank you, sir. CALLER: I just want to -- I'm a 23-year-old, been a quadriplegic for the past six and a half years. I broke my neck at a high school swim meet, and it's upsetting to hear Edwards and Kerry talk about how stem cell research is going to be this miracle cure for us when I know through talking to my doctors that what stem cell research is finding out right now will...

At a campaign rally yesterday, John Edwards used the death of Christopher Reeve to score political points. He said that that the needs of those with spinal ailments such as Reeve have been neglected by the Bush administration, and even went as far to suggest that under a President Kerry that they would be able to walk again. Their contention is that Bush is choosing the life of a cell over human beings by not expanding federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Firstly, the truth is that President Bush has never banned it, he simply stopped federal spending on...

A circus wagon rolls into a small town. Carnival lights flash as the side of the wagon lowers into a stage. Two men, dressed in sequins and top hats begin to address the crowd. The one is tall and gaunt with sunken eyes and an unnaturally wrinkle-free forehead. The other, slightly shorter man has a wide grin and golden hair worthy of a shampoo commercial. They call each other John. John #1 begins: “Hurry, hurry! Step right up. Help is on the way! My assistant, John, is holding in his hand a small bottle of elixir. It’s a panacea...

People who never met Christopher Reeve were emboldened by his crusade. If only President Bush had been one of them I wonder if President Bush could look into the eyes of Christopher Reeve’s family and tell that that it’s because he values life so deeply that he is preserving clusters of cells in freezers...

Edwards: 'When John Kerry is president, people like Christopher Reeve are going to walk. Get up out of that wheelchair and walk again'...

...President Bush initiated federal funding of research on embryonic stem cells — but with substantial limits, which John Kerry promises to lift. As is often the case when politics infuses science, truth tends to suffer. Kerry insinuates that Bush has effected a federal ban on such study. Not so: Limitations on what the government will fund aren't a ban. Kerry also claims that unfettered stem-cell research presents "the option" of curing spinal-cord injuries, Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers and other such horrifying afflictions. If that is true — and perhaps it might be — substantive breakthroughs are many, many years in the...

It's sad that Christopher Reeves is dead, but with Kerry mentioning him in Fridays debate, brings me to a question. Will Kerry sink to a new low and use Cristopher Reeve's death for political gain? I think so, him and the deocrats did that with Reagans death, having Ronald Reagan Jr. speak at the dnc, pointed out in the debate Nancy Reagan was in favor of it. He's used Ronald Reagan before, luckily Bush has pointed out how Kerry's called Reagan's years eight years of darkness. If he does I hope everyone sees through it.

Q: How did you get involved in the debate on stem cell research?A: Hardly a week goes by that people don't ask me, "Have you ever talked with Christopher Reeve? I saw him the other day on television and ..." People are curious about where I stand regarding the paralyzed actor's hope for a cure through what he calls therapeutic cloning. After all, I'm disabled. Don't I want a cure? I would love to walk. But 35 years of quadriplegia since a diving accident in 1967 has honed my perspective. I look at the broader implications of medical research as...

Actor Christopher Reeve Dead at 52 Monday, October 11, 2004 BEDFORD, NY — Christopher Reeve, the star of the "Superman" movies whose near-fatal riding accident nine years ago turned him into a worldwide advocate for spinal cord research, died Sunday of heart failure, his publicist said. He was 52. Reeve fell into a coma Saturday after going into cardiac arrest while at his New York home, his publicist, Wesley Combs told The Associated Press by phone from Washington, D.C., on Sunday night. Reeve was being treated at Northern Westchester Hospital for a pressure wound, a common complication for people living...

he New Jersey state legislature recently passed a "clone and kill" bill that allows the creation of cloned human embryos that can be implanted into a woman's womb and then destroyed at any point during their development for use in scientific research. As expected, New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey signed the bill, making it be the most extreme law ever passed regarding human cloning and embryonic stem cell research. Supporters say it is an innocuous and forward-looking law opposed only by extremists. But the new statute will have morally disastrous effects. Most notably, it creates a commercial market for the...

BOSTON -- A new procedure using an implantable ventilator is allowing people like actor Christopher Reeve a level of independence they once only dreamed of. ... Reeve received a new lease on life in the form of an implantable ventilator. The device has been around for decades, but the actor is one of only five people in the nation to have undergone a new twist on the procedure.

<p>July 30, 2003 -- REHOVOT, Israel - Actor Christopher Reeve told an Israeli audience yesterday he thinks there is a good chance he will walk again - provided "politics and religion" don't interfere with scientific research.</p> <p>The "Superman" star, who has been paralyzed from the neck down since an equestrian accident in 1995, is on a five-day visit to Israel, visiting research facilities and hospitals to study advances in treatment for spinal-cord injuries.</p>

Christopher Reeve, Director/Actor ent Internet Movie Database Reeve is probably best known for his role as Superman and an accident which left him paralyzed from the neck down. Reeve was in Minneapolis October 27, 1996 speaking at the Courage Center, a support organization for the disabled. According to David Peterson's story in the October 29 Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the following exchange took place: Q: Do you believe in the Lord? A: Even though I don't personally believe in the Lord, I try to behave as though He was watching. Peterson writes the audience responded with "Huge applause for a moment that...

NEW YORK -- Actor Christopher Reeve knows how to get to fellow celebrities. As consultant to the upcoming PBS series Freedom, he wanted well-known actors to provide voices for characters from American history. But if he went through managers, publicists or agents, Reeve knew he'd get some brush-offs. So he wrote to the celebrities themselves. He assembled an impressive list: Jennifer Aniston, Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks, Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Kevin Spacey, Robin Williams and many others. Reeve, 50, wanted to participate because his half brother, a teacher in rural Vermont, had such trouble...