Christopher Reeve, the actor best known for his compelling portrayals of Superman on the silver screen, died after a heart-attack induced coma at his home on Sunday night.
Reeve, 52, an excellent rider, was thrown from a horse nine years ago and paralysed from the shoulders down.
He had since striven bravely to help other quadriplegics, turning into an advocate for spinal cord research and healthcare facilities for the paralysed. He continued to work in the entertainment industry, acting and occasionally taking the directorial helm.
Christopher Reeve was expected to walk again and had been gradually regaining sensation in his limbs. He wrote a bestselling autobiography Still Me.
He will be missed and remains an inspiration after his tragic demise, both to disabled searching for the will to fight for their rights and to young innocents in red and blue tights, clutching comicbooks to their chests, looking for a hero.
Text: Raja Sen
Photographs: Getty Images
Design: Uday Kuckian