Great angle on this write up at Forbes.com by Robert J. Szczerba. Robert made the connection between Chris’ love of the Star Wars films, and tied it into a great summary of the film.
Here it is:
Luke Skywalker Inspires Real-Life Hero To Battle Muscular Dystrophy
A young boy, facing overwhelming odds with little hope of success, turns to a Jedi Master and “the Force” for guidance, and eventually inspires the world. This isn’t just the science fiction of Star Wars, but the reality of an inspiring young man named Christopher Rush.
Christopher was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at seven months, and his doctor told his parents that he “will be nothing more than a dishrag and will be dead by the age of two.” Despite the dire prognosis, as well as having to go through life as a quadriplegic, he was able to accomplish things most able-bodied people can only dream of.
As a huge fan of the Star Wars franchise, Christopher empathized with the protagonist, Luke Skywalker, who used the mystical power of the Force to achieve the impossible. Christopher wasn’t able to move his limbs, but with the power of his mind and sheer willpower, he was able to move mountains and inspire millions.From 1983 to 1984, Christopher was a national ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), making him a recognizable face among “Jerry’s kids.” He visited President Reagan at the White House, was grand marshal of a Disney World parade, and became friends with many celebrities. Christopher threw out the first pitch at several Major League Baseball games and, in high school, was the first quadriplegic to become a licensed scuba diver in the United States. He graduated with honors from the University of Michigan, and eventually earned a law degree from Wayne State University. Perhaps most importantly, he created a program called GO FAR (Goals, Obstacles, Focus, Act, Review) devoted to helping people with disabilities, or anyone facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles, achieve their goals.
In 2007, Christopher finally succumbed to the disease at the age of 30. But his story doesn’t end there. One of his many friends, filmmaker Zack Arnold, wants to make sure his message of hope and optimism is not forgotten. Thus began a seven-year mission to bring Christopher’s story to the big screen.
