Yesterday, a man passed away who in my opinion, was more of a “Superman” than the character he portrayed. A man who chose to turn his tragedy into triumph, his disability into a crusade – and his personal anguish into a very public advocacy. Someone who showed the world that being disabled doesn’t mean being unable – and someone who I will miss very much – Christopher Reeve.

At his Pound Ridge home in Bedford, New York, Reeve went into cardiac arrest on Saturday and then yesterday, fell into a coma and died while surrounded by his family – he was 52-years-old. Best known for his portrayal of Superman in the four movies of the same name, Reeve also played an embittered, crippled Vietnam veteran in the 1980 Broadway play Fifth of July, a lovestruck time-traveler in the 1980 movie Somewhere In Time, and an aspiring playwright in the 1982 suspense thriller Deathtrap.

In May of 1995, during an equestrian competition in Culpeper, Virginia, Reeve was thrown from his horse and broke his neck. Since that tragic accident, he has endured months of therapy to allow him to breathe for longer and longer periods of time without a respirator and in 2000, was able to move his index finger. With rigorous therapy, which involved repeated electrical stimulation of the muscles and a specialized workout regimen, he made his legs and arms stronger and regained sensation in other parts of his body as well.

In addition to working on rehabilitating his own body, he was a staunch advocate for stem cell research, better insurance protection against catastrophic injuries – and, as he said at the 1996 Oscars, more films about social issues. “Hollywood needs to do more,” he told the teary-eyed crowd. “Let’s continue to take risks. Let’s tackle the issues. In many ways our film community can do it better than anyone else.”

Besides the drive that Christopher Reeve had, I was truly inspired by his wife Dana and her unending devotion to her husband. Shortly after the accident, she said to him, “I want you to know that I’ll be with you for the long haul, no matter what. You’re still you. And I love you.” I once interviewed a famous professional wrestler who suffered a tragic accident that caused him to need complete facial reconstruction. While recovering in the hospital – his girlfriend cleaned out their bank accounts and took off. To see Dana Reeve stand by her man and help him live each and every day of his life to the fullest was to me, the perfect example of “For Better Or For Worse.”

I was always a big fan of Christopher Reeve and I will miss him. It would be very hard for me emotionally to continue my life if it was turned upside-down by tragedy. But to see Christopher Reeve continue to live showed me that in many ways, he was indeed the Man of Steel.

At least now, in Heaven, he can walk again, ride horses – and maybe even fly.

Rest in peace Mr. Reeve – and God Bless.