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: Barry F.

My husband, Barry Fishman, is an extraordinary man who does extraordinary things every day. He is no stranger to tragedy, yet he has incredible strength and courage, and is an inspiration to many, many people. He is honest, sincere, compassionate, generous and thoughtful. He is definitely a hero.

I met my husband Barry when we were each 17 years old. He had just been orphaned and left alone to care for his brother with various special needs.
Despite his tragic childhood, he has succeeded in life beyond his wildest dreams. He has devoted his life to making a difference for others. He has spent his entire career working in the health care and pharmaceutical industry. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Childhood Cancer Foundation.

In 1970, when I was thirteen years old, I lost my mother and two younger sisters in the Air Canada flight 621 plane crash. They were flying from Montreal to Los Angeles and all 109 passengers and crew members perished.

As a determined young teen, I made a conscious decision to become happy again, and to lead a fulfilled and purposeful life. I managed to muster up the courage and strength to dream big, to be idealistic, to strive for more, and to live a meaningful life where I could make a positive difference in the lives of others.

When we met as teens, we were two young people armed with incredible strength, courage and determination to create a meaningful life together. I am proud to say that we reassembled our shattered lives into something new and wonderful. Our individual childhood stories are tragic and shocking but our story together is truly a story of tenacity and triumph.

I am a social worker, a summer day camp director, and a motivational and inspirational speaker and facilitator. Since the publication of my memoir, Repairing Rainbows, I have set up the Repairing Rainbows Fund, which provides support for grieving children and their families.

Barry and I have been happily married for over 31 years. We have three children and three dogs. We are also an official kitten rescue foster home.

Repairing Rainbows captures my growth from a young girl into who I am now, and the steps I needed to take in order to live on, beyond the tragedy. It is about so much more than tragedy though – it is an inspirational story about marriage, family, love, hope, gratitude, and most especially, choices.

The effect that this book is having on people is unbelievable. I am at my computer for many hours every day, responding to emails and FB messages about Repairing Rainbows. Obviously, the book is having a profound impact on many, many people, and is providing them with hope and inspiration. It’s great to know that some good is coming out of something tragic.

Lynda Weinberg Fishman

Submitted by Lynda Fishman