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On behalf of the ATRA Board of Directors and the ATRA National office staff, I would like to publicly share my sadness at the loss of Christopher Reeve. I am sure you will join us in extending our condolences to the entire Reeve Family. Christopher Reeve was an untiring advocate for individuals with spinal cord injuries. According to officials at the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, “Christopher was a hero to many people, yet he was most moved by others, stating, "I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." He adamantly believed that nothing was impossible and worked tirelessly to find a cure for paralysis.” The American Therapeutic Recreation Association was excited to offer our organization’s support for the “Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act”. The bill, which passed in the House on October 7th and is currently awaiting action in the Senate, calls on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to draft a report on ways they have encouraged the use of multidisciplinary research teams to advance treatments, develop new therapies, and collaborate on clinical trials with respect to spinal cord injury and paralysis research. ATRA is particularly supportive of the provisions contained in the bill with respect to rehabilitation of people with paralysis. Recreational therapists are an important feature in the successful rehabilitation of individuals with paralysis. Another key aspect of the bill that ATRA strongly supports is the goal of improving quality of life for persons with paralysis and other physical disabilities. Research indicates that Recreational Therapy plays a primary role in enhancing the quality of life and productivity of individuals with disabling conditions. Enjoyable activities and social relations are significant in promoting the quality of life and productivity of an individual with a disability. By developing a national paralysis and physical disability quality of life action plan, dissemination of information, collaboration with other centers and voluntary health agencies, development of comprehensive and innovative programs within existing programs, and paralysis registries, this legislation takes many steps toward improving the daily lives of those with paralysis and other disabilities. Mr. Reeve had been paralyzed from the neck down since May 1995, but his determination has raised public awareness about the significance of medical research and the challenges facing those with disabilities. He has given spinal cord injury a human face and provided countless individuals the courage to battle their disabilities as well. Nancy McFarlane, CTRS
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