The following is a letter written by Steven Tingus, the Director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.

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I wanted to take this opportunity to express our sadness about
the death of Dana Reeve, chair of the Christopher Reeve
Foundation (CRF) and founder of the Christopher and Dana Reeve
Paralysis Resource Center, who passed away on March 6 at the
age of 44.

Dana, one of the nation's best-known and respected caregivers,
had succeeded her late husband, actor Christopher Reeve, as
chair of the CRF, which funds research into spinal-cord
paralysis. Ms. Reeve established the Foundation's Quality of
Life initiatives: the Quality of Life grants program and the
Christopher & Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center. Dana became
an activist for spinal cord research after a horseback-riding
accident paralyzed Chris in 1995. He later died on October 10,
2004. Since its inception in 1999, the Quality of Life grants
program has awarded more than $8 million to support programs
and projects that improve the daily lives of people living with
paralysis. Dana Reeve was a constant companion and supporter of
her husband during his long ordeal and his work for a cure for
spinal cord injuries.

Those of us who have lost a primary caregiver to cancer or
other diseases were particularly saddened upon hearing the news
of Dana's passing. Let us not forget the sacrifices of those
family members who give of themselves in helping us maintain
our independence, even during their own battles, and let's
continue our collective efforts to improve the lives of all
those with disabilities in the name of Dana and countless
others like her across our Nation.

All of us at NIDRR extend our deepest condolences and sympathy
to Dana's family and members of the Christopher Reeve
Foundation.


Steven James Tingus, M.S., C.Phil.
Director, Nat'l Inst. on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Chair, Interagency Committee on Disability Research
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
U.S. Department of Education