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: Mattie D.

Six years ago my mother went through the most precarious time of her life, not sure if she would live or die. She was suffering the effects of Polycystic Kidney Disease, living with a set of kidneys and a liver no longer in operation. She was in great pain, afraid of the uncertainty of tomorrow and isolated three hours from family and friends. She watched patients come in and pass away. She remained patient as each day passed with no match. She never complained and met each day with a smile, greeting everyone with a kind word. Her positive outlook and peaceful acceptance that the end might be near made an indelible impression on the entire hospital staff.

My mother received a cadaver kidney and liver. She often thinks of the sacrifice made on her behalf and refuses to take any day for granted. She advocates on behalf of organ donation, shares her experience through speaking engagements and is a shoulder to cry on for others in the position she was. I could not be prouder of her. She is, and will always be, my hero!

Story was submitted anonymously