Discovery Health Channel Premieres MIRACLE STEPS in Memory of Christopher Reeve's Incredible Spirit

The One-hour Special, Hosted by Christopher Reeve, Premieres Monday, October 18, at 9 PM (ET/PT)

SILVER SPRING, Md., Oct. 14 -- The quality of a quadriplegic's life often depends as much on strength of spirit as on medical science. Christopher Reeve and Gemma Quinn are stellar examples of what the human spirit can achieve when the human body survives a trauma. Two people from different parts of the world are brought together by tragic circumstance and an unyielding will to walk again.

MIRACLE STEPS, hosted by Christopher Reeve, premieres on Monday, October 18 at 9 PM (ET/PT) as a tribute to Reeve and his tireless efforts to highlight the plight of people with disabilities and further the cause of spinal research.

Reeve, 52, died on Sunday, October 10, of complications from an infection. Reeve, who suffered a paralyzing injury in a 1995 horse-riding fall, became a larger-than-life symbol of resiliency, traveling around the country giving speeches and raising money for spinal cord research. Reeve was best known for his movie role as Superman.

The one-hour documentary tells the story of several courageous individuals recovering from spinal injuries, including Gemma Quinn, an extraordinary 19- year-old quadriplegic from Liverpool, England. Paralyzed in a car accident 12 years ago, Gemma was offered little chance of recovery. But Gemma refused to give up. She has never stopped seeking a solution to her problem and decided a long time ago that the best therapy she could employ was to be an active, productive member of society.

Gemma's story received national attention in 1995 when, at age 10, she inspired Christopher Reeve by sending a letter urging him not to give up hope after he was paralyzed. Since then, the two have been pioneers in furthering the cause of spinal research, inspiring countless others not to let their disabilities control their lives and ruin their spirits.

MIRACLE STEPS offers viewers a first hand look at the struggles that Christopher Reeve, and others recovering from paralysis, go through in trying to overcome the odds and regain use of their bodies. It explores revolutionary -- and often controversial -- treatments that tap into the power of the mind to heal the body. Through a unique blend of mind instruction and intense physical therapy, Gemma and others like her have been given new hope of a life unhampered by disability.

MIRACLE STEPS is produced for the Discovery Health Channel by Advanced Medical Productions, Inc. Bill Hayes is executive producer. For the Discovery Health Channel, Alon Ornstein is executive producer.

Discovery Health Channel takes viewers inside the fascinating and informative world of health and medicine to experience firsthand, compelling, real life stories of medical breakthroughs and human triumphs. Currently in 54 million homes, Discovery Health Channel is the only 24 hour network and Web site (http://discovery.com/health) devoted to what matters most-health.

SOURCE Discovery Health Channel
Web Site: http://discovery.com/health