The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation announces its first-ever Reeve Summit 2020: Where Care, Cure and Community Connect from February 26-28, 2020, at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC. 

With 2020 marking the 25th anniversary of Christopher Reeve’s spinal cord injury, the 3-day summit aims to bring those in the disabled community — such as community members, caregivers, health professionals, key thought leaders, and individuals who have had an impact on the lives of people with paralysis and related disabilities — together for education, discussion, and fellowship.

“The Foundation’s tagline is Today’s Care and Tomorrow’s Cure. In the 25 years since Christopher’s injury, we have invested over $100 million in research and last year assisted over 100,000 individuals and families impacted by paralysis with life-saving and life-changing information,” says Peter Wilderotter, President and CEO of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, in a media release.

“With this conference, we are adding a third pillar to our mission—creating and supporting our community to help us shape and advance the Foundation’s quality of life and cure agenda,” he adds. “This will be an annual undertaking that will bring forth Christopher’s belief that in the face of adversity, hope often comes in the form of a friend who reaches out to us.”

The Summit will kick off with a welcome reception and evening entertainment on Wednesday, February 26, followed by two days of keynote speakers and educational panels. Confirmed speakers include:

  • Senator Tom Harkin (Ret.), founder of The Harkin Institute, and former United States Senator from Iowa, who will provide keynote remarks on the upcoming 30th anniversary of the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Robin Roberts, anchor for Good Morning America and an advocate of people with disabilities, will provide the keynote address Friday morning
  • Alexandra Reeve Givens, Executive Director of the Institute for Technology Law & Policy at Georgetown Law and trustee of the Reeve Foundation Board of Directors
  • Will Reeve, son of Christopher and Dana Reeve, trustee of the Board of Directors and multi-platform reporter at ABC News
  • Leaders of the paralysis community who are changing the culture and reality of living with and caring for spinal cord injury and paralysis.  

In addition, thought leaders will lead discussions and education sessions on topics and themes relevant to the paralysis community, including caregiving, employment and understanding government benefits, health and wellness, and advocacy.

The Reeve Foundation will also highlight its new approach to research, what is changing in 2020, and promising new treatments for individuals living with paralysis during the summit, per the release.

For more information and to register, visit Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

[Source(s): Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, PR Newswire]