The inspirational story of a Father's Fight to see his Son walk again

in fe POUR Hn Fea thin all they k have to do is let Now a retired school teacher in Northem Califomia, Don always The doctor's prognosis was bleak; and while lying in his hospital bed, admired strength, and at one time he could clean and jerk 345 Roman was told to accept the following facts: pounds, As a member of the world famous York barbell club, which produced many Olympic champions, Don had dreams that his son _ Roman would excel to the level of athletic success that he saw his teammates achieve. And thanks to great coaching appeared that Roman was well on his way to fulfilling his goals of becoming a professional football pla Roman Reed’s response? “Never tell me never!”

And with that reaction, Roman and his father Don set out to beat the odds. ‘To find a A natural athlete, Roman Reed was a 19-year-old physical phenomenon. At 6’ 4”, he weighed 225 pounds and displayed sinewy muscle only eight percent bodyfat. He could run the 40 in 4. 375 pounds, and could do reps in the squat with 625 and the bench describes his initial rehabilitation as “grueling, empowering, with 425. But on September 10, 1994, Roman's dream of playing on frustrating and rewarding.” One person who helped with his struggle Sundays ended. He broke his neck. was his sister Desiree, now a sports attomey in Northern California. mental drug called Sygen.

Sygen enabled Roman goesto research, period. raising or advertising campaigns whatsoever. This is state money, higher level of independence. the matching grants come in from national groups. meant that I did not have to depend on others to feed me, transfer me from my wheelchair toother ven brush my teeth.”

Christopher Reeve.

In addition to proving the doctors wrong about regaining the use of children, Roman Jr. and Jason. Roman now attends the University of where he studies history, and he coaches his teams. lies.

After the accident, Don Reed worked tirelessly the Roman Reed Core Laboratory, located in the Reeve-Irvine Research Center at UC Irvine. Since itwas passed in Septemberof 2000, the bill so far has raised $4.5 million from taxpayers for research that has. lab rats has resulted in 180 animals regaining use of their legs, next year the research will extend into human trials,” research is so good, in fact, that it has attracted an Reed. all across the country! male.

Mike Dayton, Jr. a paralysis victim who wa: featured in our Spring 2002 issue, died this yea from complications related to his spinal cord injury The Be -An 11 Guidebook for Success is the “workbook” of each seminar and every participant gets their own book “This book should be in the hands of every athlete. Even if you can’t have the seminar, don't wait. Get copies of the guidebook now for each athlete. The message is what all parents want for their sons and daughters.”

10-99 books $6.00.ea ¢ 100 or more only $3.00 ea his condition is the next time you feel like no — | don't want to watch a movie that shows there’s no hope for spinal cord victims such as my son and that the only solution is to kill that person.” small idea of what it’s li e to have a spinal cord injury.” One of the biggest struggles facing spinal cord victims today is political One of the best things you can do, says Reed, to help spinal cord victims opposition to promising new research, but Don says that the majority in addition to becoming involved with fundraising projects is just to of polls say that the debate is over and that most Americans want this talk to them.

“Say hello, talk to them, be friendly and curious — their research to go to the next level, One of the reasons for the opposition to minds are perfectly healthy. It's not an insult to a paralyzed person when certain types of spinal cord research is a misunderstanding about treatsomeone notices that they are paralyzed. If you just walk up and say, “Hi, ments such as somatic cell nuclear transfer. Contrary to general percepcan I help you with anything?” that's just a nice thing.

But most importion, says Reed, this particular procedure does not involve fertilized cells; tantly, realize that they are human beings and that their humanity is not moreover it holds the most promise for enabling spinal cord victims to diminished.” walk again and for curing many formerly incurable diseases, The theme of paralysis has been featured in many Hollywood movies, but Prior to his death, Christopher Reeve heard about Don and Roman's Reed says he refuses to watch them. “I spend 8 to 12 hours a day trying struggles and sent the Reed family a personal letter.

He thanked Don for to help my son walk again, and the idea of seeing a movie on this subject his work; and in words worthy of the Superman that he was in film and for entertainment — no, | just can’t do that.” Reed reports that a in his personal life, Reeve wrote, “Roman and | will standso our movie seen by some of his associates who care for paralysis Pitas.ee wheelehais, and walk away from3, forever.” been particularly upsetting: Mil ion Dol ar Baby.“| have Sts for movies that suggest there’s no hope for spinal cord a yt those seeking more eis, , Don Reed suggests the website son and that the only solution is to kill that person.”

of CAMR (Coalition for theAdvancement ofMedical Research), at wuw.camradvocacy.org, and wuw.californiansforcures, which “How awful — was it Clint Eastwood's idea that the only hope for a paratells how you can get in touch with Roman or Don Reed. Don also lyzed person is to be killed?! Yes, it’s one of the greatest tragedies that recommends Christopher Reeve’s book, Still Me, and Quest for Cure by paralyzed people are sometimes abandoned by their loved ones and often consider suicide even though many are incapable of committing it. So, xo: a.

—aiaes fl.

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From BFS Magazine — September/October 2005. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).