Who Is Your Hero?

Do you have a personal hero? Tell us about them. It doesn’t have to be perfect to make a difference in someone else’s life.

Your Everyday Hero: Mark E.

On Labor Day Sunday, 1996, I was on a go-cart and had a terrible accident. I was scalped. I prayed that I would live. After all, I was only 8 years old.

I met Dr. Mark E. He operated on me that day for 17 hours, and two more times. It took a long time to realize that what happened to me on that day was not an accident. I have learned that good comes out of every bad situation, if you just look for it.

This changed my life forever because someone came into my life that made me into the person I am today. He changed my physical appearance but he also showed me things that I wouldn't have learned if it wasn't for him. Some of us look at others different because the way we look. I learned that I looked different but I wasn't different inside. I was the same person as I was before.

Dr. E. is my angel. He is such a wonderful doctor. Because of Dr. E., I have been able to do things that I wouldn't have been able to do otherwise. I had my junior prom, 2 senior proms, I was Student of the Year 2005, I attend college and I have confidence. Because of him I was able to not worry about the way I would look ever again. He is my idol, my friend and my hero.

-- Nominated by Tara R., Islip, NY.

Story was submitted anonymously