Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 17, 1995 TAG: 9510180015
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: The New York Times
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
During his first public appearance since a paralyzing horseback riding accident, the actor Christoper Reeve recalled Monday night the visit of an old friend to his hospital room four months ago.
``My life was hanging in the balance, and I had a 50-50 chance to live,'' Reeve said. ``I looked up, and there was a guy in a blue hat and a yellow gown speaking in a Russian accent. There was Robin Williams leaping to my assistance.''
Reeve had a chance to return the favor Monday night. He presented the Spotlight Award given by the Creative Coalition, the Hollywood organization devoted to liberal and environmental issues, to his friend of 22 years. Reeve is co-president, with Blair Brown, of the coalition, which he founded with Ron Silver, Susan Sarandon and other stars.
Reeve, who breathes with the aid of a ventilator, began his remarks by remembering a teacher he had at the Princeton Day School who scolded a pupil for missing a class:
```The only cause for nonattendance,' he said, `was having a quadruple amputation, and even then they bring you in in a basket.' I thought I had better show up.''
Explaining that Reeve had not wanted Williams to lavish too much praise on him, the comedian alternated between madcap jokes, accents, contorted body language and a powerful emotional tribute to his friend. ``I thank you with all my heart,'' Williams said. ``I came that day, and I will be back a million times.''
Reeve, an accomplished rider, was injured May 27 when the horse he was riding during a horse trial in Culpeper, Va., balked and threw him.
He suffered fractures of two cervical vertebra and damage to his spinal cord. Reeve was transferred in June from the Virginia hospital to the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, N.J.
by CNB