Letters from the Edge: Magical rebirth after spinal cord injury

Christopher Reeve

"Letters from the Edge is a gift to the world, not just those who live in the world of disability. With eloquence and a sharp sense of humor, he takes the reader on a journey from despair to inner peace. This is a book to be treasured for its wisdom, given to us by a man who truly understands what it means to be alive."

Dr. Wayne Dyer

"A remarkable book... There is much to gain from reading Michael’s words describing his ten-year odyssey. Michael chose very early on in his experience of paralysis to uplift himself; this has been his journey. Let his words reverberate in your heart and help you to send any self-imposed paralysis out of your life."

CHAPTER ONE
Born of the Water

I closed my eyes and waited for the tumble of water and sand to subside. The Frisbee had been thrown low, but I made a heroic leap for it anyway, thinking the surf would cushion my fall to the sand; it did not. My head burrowed hard into the sand while the rest of my body somersaulted. My neck snapped. When I couldn’t move my arms to push up out of the water, I realized instantly that my life was going to be totally different--if I survived. Read Chapter

CHAPTER TWO
In the Nursery

Although quadriplegic from my injury, I understood my life to be blessed in many ways. Most people would think this was crazy, but consider the following: it has only been in the past century that people have even been able to survive spinal cord injury. Before that, paralysis was survivable only long enough to say goodbye to loved ones...

Advancements have taken us way beyond mere survival to pursuing the physical Holy Grail--Walking. What an amazing slice of time on the planet. When I expand my focus beyond the daily grind, I can see that this is indeed a wonderful time to be alive... More Information

CHAPTER THREE
A Day in the Life

In the midst of recurring, day-to-day cycles, I would experience moments of euphoria and heart--opening tenderness. These magical moments kept me going like breadcrumbs in the woods, directional beacons leading me onward. Many of these epiphanies came when I wasn’t doing anything. Sneaking up from behind, a wave of beingwould wash over me. I then had the time and freedom to be completely engaged with watching clouds stream overhead or a train of ants scurry along a railing below...
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Letters from the Edge

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	v
Forewords	vii
Introduction	1
Section I: The Early Years	3
1 Born of the Water	5
2 In the Nursery	12
3 A Day in the Life	28
4 Funny Money	32
5 Colors of the Day	40
6 Gone to Mecca	52
7 Dark Waters of the Soul	61
8 Half Empty, Half Full	65
9 Time After Time	74
Section II: The Big Ideas	75
10 A Step Beyond	75
11 Life Support	85
12 Homeland Security	92
13 VanTastic	99
14 Danger! Danger, Will Robinson!	102
15 They Even Stole the Can Opener	112
16 I Got the Electric Chair	124
17 Fond Memories of the Future	136
Coda	156
Appendices	169
A. Christopher Reeve: Superman or Lex Luthor?	173
B. Resources	181
Further Reading	189

Dear Michael, I have been hanging out with your book for the last few weeks, reading it mainly at night. It is a beautiful book, very inspiring, so real as opposed to theoretical. And now you have the love of your life! You have demonstrated fine character and bravery and it is an honor to know you. The life you lead is so much closer to the truth than most if not all of us. Makes me think of our mutual friend George L's phrase:
"welcome the hit" You took the biggest hit imaginable and have turned it into.... I am struggling for the right word...beauty. Much love, Steve

Your on-line book is wonderful. Perhaps through this medium a great number of us in the world of the walking can take inventory of the gifts we all have. -Grace

Of the 99% of the books I have read on SCI, this is one of a very few that has lifted my spirits. - Robert W.

I wanted to compliment you on a job well done--very readable with plenty of photos. - Kathleen B.

My son broke his neck in a diving accident. I can’t tell you how much your letters have guided us through this and helped us hold on. - Michael S.

Your book is wonderful. Perhaps through this medium a great number of us in the world of the walking can take inventory of the gifts we all have. - Grace L.

I hope you won’t mind that I used a bit of your story when I gave a lecture to junior nursing students. Some of the things you say in your book were very similar to our nursing text, but they were able to understand your words much easier than an ol’ text book. - Jennifer K.

Due to your willingness to share your journey, many more of us are richer as well. - Jerry W.

Your writings are very powerful and compelling. Your writings depict a source of encouragement and hope for all of us to keep struggling no matter what. - Mary Kay H.

Please know your life has great meaning - fantastic potential - and that you have touched my soul by the sheer presence of your words. - Terrence M.

It seems that your life is being shaped on an altogether higher plane than most people even attempt to sojourn. – Kimberly K.