The impact of 'Superman in a wheelchair' is enormously profound, and I think the way that Christopher Reeve tells his story, and the way he - and his family have responded to something which must have seemed so tragic is very sobering, and certainly I felt through the book that his story was asking some very deep questions about how we/I live my life.
He has turned something awful into a process of learning and self growth for himself, has benefitted through his charity work and fundraising for scientific research the prognosis for the possible regeneration of the spinal cord - which of course would be a huge benefit for many people with spinal cord injuries. He has also used his celebrity very well, to help to change the perceptions that the able-bodied may have of people with disabilities.
His courage and honesty and determination to live the best life he can, against all odds also made me (able-bodied) look at the number of times I 'give in' to small problems, 'give up' on small challenges. I think he is a great teacher and inspirer.