Will Reeve opened up about his late mother, Dana Reeve, singing during a recent promotional appearance on Good Morning America. He wished aloud that he had encouraged her to sing more throughout their time together.
People reported that the Good Morning America episode highlighted the emotional memories of Dana Reeve as shared by her children while promoting a new documentary on Christopher Reeve’s life post-accident.
On Monday, Sept. 16, Will Reeve, alongside his half-siblings, Matthew and Alexandra, spoke on the morning show to discuss their late father's life and legacy. Their father, Christopher Reeve, became a quadriplegic following an equestrian accident in 1995 but continued to inspire many until he died in 2004.
The documentary, titled Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, explores the transformative years following Reeve's accident and his efforts to raise awareness about spinal cord injuries. An important aspect of the documentary reveals the immense support Christopher received from his wife, Dana.
Dana Reeve, who was an accomplished actress and singer, passed away from lung cancer in March 2006 at the age of 44, just 17 months after her husband's death.
During their appearance on Good Morning America, a segment from the upcoming documentary was aired, giving viewers a glimpse into the personal impact of Christopher Reeve’s condition on his family. Most poignantly, Will Reeve read excerpts from his mother's journal, sharing her personal and emotional ordeal following her husband's accident.
In her journal, Dana wrote about the loneliness and solitude she felt after her husband’s paralysis. Her entries conveyed a profound sense of loss, particularly of the physical connection she once shared with Christopher, which she described vividly through metaphors of warmth and closeness associated with household tasks.
The emotional gravity of her words painted a stark picture of her inner torments and the resilience with which she coped under the circumstances, a sentiment echoed by her son during the show.
"Mom was always singing,” Will recalled during the interview, his voice laden with nostalgia. He described how Dana's singing was a constant and soothing background in their daily lives, from after-school snacks to bedtime routines.
Regret tinged Will's words as he expressed a wish to have savored those moments more, recognizing too late the comfort they brought him. “Hindsight is 20/20, but I wish that I had asked her to sing more because when I think about her, that's where I go," he shared on the live broadcast.
Putting into words the enormity of what his mother endured, Will explained how the physical absence of his father impacted Dana deeply, underscoring the profound connection they shared.
Will, who works as a reporter for ABC News, and his siblings hope that the documentary will offer a new perspective on their father's legacy and highlight the lesser-known struggles and triumphs of their mother's journey alongside him.
The exposure of Dana Reeve’s private thoughts through her journal and her children's accounts offers a deeper understanding of the personal costs of caring for a loved one with severe disabilities.
The Reeve family continues to honor both Christopher and Dana's legacies through their advocacy and public discussions about their lives, hoping to inspire others facing similar challenges.
The documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is set to premiere later this year, promising an intimate look at the strength and vulnerability of one of Hollywood’s most beloved families.
