Everyday Heroes

In a recent post I told about a man that I heard President Bush tell about who is an everyday hero. It makes me happy to hear about good things that people are doing. Negativity and disrespect are prevalent in our society today, and it is easy for me to get caught up in all of it as I'm pracitcally addicted to the news right now, with Mike being in Iraq. But there is so much good happening too, and I'd really like to talk about the good stuff. Here are just a couple of examples of everyday heroes that I have seen.

When I was growing up there was a boy in our ward with muscular dystrophy. He was older than I was, and when he was in high school I remember often seeing him riding around town in his wheelchair. He and his sister (who also had muscular dystrophy) were heroes in my eyes, as well as their family members. But, this story is about another hero. I noticed that this boy was often wearing a Letterman's jacket from his high school. I thought it was neat that he had one and because of how often he wore it, I think he must have felt good being able to show his school pride and be a part of that high school spirit, even though he was unable to physically participate in sports. I later found out that the jacket was given to him by somebody who had attended the high school years before and lettered in football.

The hero in this story? My Dad.

There is a boy in a local elementary school who is deaf and began kindergarten a few years ago with many challenges because he had been sick a lot as a child, and was developmentally behind other kids his age. Most of the adults in his life felt that he probably would not be able to ever catch up or learn as much as other kids. This boy is now in second grade and is a hero in my eyes because of the challenges he has worked through, but this story is about another hero. His interpreter struggled through that whole year with his difficult behavioral and academic issues. But, she stayed with it and is still working with him today. He has come leaps and bounds since kindergarten. Because of his interpreter he has learned how to read, and can keep up with his grade level in school. His behavior has also improved dramatically. This interpreter's work with these issues has gone above and beyond what many would say is within the realm of an interpreter's job.

The hero in this story? My Mom.

There are so many people that inspire me to do better. Who are some of your everyday heroes? I'd love to hear your stories.