"The way out is to pick something very proactive, very constructive. Think of something that needs doing - some cause - something that will take you forward if you think about it.

So I just get busy with that and I am back in shape. It takes will power but fortunately I was an actor for 28 years and as an actor you get very used to rejection.

You might get one part out of twenty auditions and so I think discipline of being an actor for all those years has really helped me because you still have to believe in yourself. And I believe in what is happening in research.

With sheer will power you can keep your body in shape.

This is a big test, a big, big test but fortunately I have tremendous help from my family and friends and staff and we'll go forward and get out of this."

I am not sure if last few words were actually what he said as they were a little indistinct but his attitude was mainly one of hope for future.

Christopher used his work to lift any depression he might be feeling. He saw promotion of medical research as a worthwhile cause. Just getting down to work promoting it put him back on track.

He also acknowledged help of friends, family and staff in keeping him going. Gratitude is a great motivator and it opens mind to expect and receive help from universe

I was surprised that he linked discipline with being an actor but when you think about it discipline is all about keeping going and doing whatever needs doing even when you feel disappointed and as if you are getting nowhere.

An actor must feel down and think about giving up every time they are rejected at an audition. If they keep attending auditions they have discipline.

Christopher kept going after his accident by calling on his history of self-discipline and will power. This kept him doing whatever physical exercise he thought might help.

The other thing that keeps an actor going is belief in himself or herself. After his fall from his horse, Christopher's belief in medical research kept him promoting research to general public.

If he could show this kind of discipline, will power and belief in face of big, big tests he faced surely we can show same qualities in face of much smaller tests that we face.

If he had lived in UK, he would probably have been knighted Sir Christopher Reeve both for his films and his work to relieve suffering. Americans have honoured and will honour him in their own way.

A little time spent comparing ourselves with Christopher Reeve should provide us with an endless source of motivation in future. Motivation by comparison works.

The Parkinson audience roared with laughter. Earthy humour goes down well in UK! Michael probed further "You walk a tight rope with your humour. Where do you draw line?" "I don't. Things are so terrible some times that only way you can relieve tension is to try a joke to get people to laugh .I lost four friends in twin towers. That’s serious big time. I made first jokes about it because it was so horrible that, when people came to see I me, I did jokes to relieve tension. My husband committed suicide and I went on stage a week later and said: 'It was my fault because we were making love and I took bag off my head. It makes people relax" Michael commented. "You make fun of old age but one certain fact of matter is, as far as you are concerned, you keep getting better and better as a stand up.You have a sense of confidence; you have a sense of experience; you have timing which doesn't go...."

Joan interrupted with feeling: "And they've done it all to me. Do you know what I'm saying? I've been fired. I've been thrown out. I've been told I'm over. I've been told five times: "Forget about her "...so you keep coming back. So an audience doesn't like me. It makes you sad but I know there's a tomorrow and that makes a big difference I think that's why you come on stage. You just want to have fun." Joan Rivers is a survivor and a great success in her own way. She has helped people to laugh at old age, suicide, terrorism and death. She has helped middle aged cope with their unflattering looks:

"Look in mirror if you're over 50 and you have two choices - death or humour."

Joan believes in having fun. She is one of those who whistles while she works. People can endure boring work so long as they can chat and have fun occasionally with their work mates. Even soccer stars who love game often miss banter in changing room most when they retire.

My most successful lessons as a martial arts instructor have been when lesson has been fun. Both young and old students enjoy drills which demand quick reactions but which do not end in pain.

Blocking and evasion skills, for example, can be taught by having one student throw boxing gloves at another. Even if block fails empty glove does not hurt. I have just tried throwing a woolly hat at cat to improve her evasion skills but she does not seem to enjoy this at all. She just turned her back on me in disgust. I think a dog might have a greater sense of fun! Before all cat lovers complain, I do realize that many cats do enjoy play.

Every one loves to hit things especially things that don't hit back! Focus mitt and shield drills are fun. You can work very hard hitting them and having fun at same time. You learn all kinds of kicking and striking skills while you enjoy yourself. Working out to lively music is fun. Aerobics instructors have realised this from start. It is no accident that their classes are full.

When I taught Religious Education, pupils learned fastest when they were learning through games and quizzes where they could have fun at same time. They learned a great deal without realising that they were working hard.

The seven dwarves in Disney's Snow White had right idea. Even if you are doing boring work in mines, whistle while you work and have some fun. The time will go a lot more quickly and you will still get work done.