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People do extraordinary things every day. They share their time, resources, or love. They show incredible strength and courage. They inspire us by their example. Here are true stories about real-life heroes, written by visitors to the site. You can also share a story of your own hero.
My beautiful boy Nicholas was born at 32 weeks. A normal pregnancy is 40. Even though he was not that early he only weighed 2 pounds 4 ounces. Other than being little he was perfect. Then 10 days later tragedy hit. He had Necrotizing Enterocolitis which is a gastrointestinal disease that mostly affects premature infants. NEC involves infection and inflammation that causes destruction of th... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Mabel was my Grandma. I truly think she was really an Angel though. She was almost non-human in the ways she dealt with people. Here are some of the extraordinary examples from her life that have had a profound effect on mine:
1. When my father was a child, some gas splashed on his legs at the gas station and right then a man threw a cigarette butt. My dad, who was 8 yrs old, caught fire... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Dad served in the Navy in WWII. He had two ships shot out from under him. When the 2nd one went down, he was one of only 300 survivors. He spoke very little about it, and he always looked at his own role as very small compared to that of others. His survival is a story of courage, which John Wayne described as "being scared to death but saddling up anyway." read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Cameron is one of the best firefighters I know. He's always ready to go when disaster strikes. Constantly, he's up for more than 48 hours at a time. If you're ever in a bad mood or just looking for someone to talk to, Cameron is your guy! He's a perfect example of humility because he never boasts about saving citizens lives. read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
I nominated a softball coach of mine named Joe P. He has coached me since I was eight years old and has been an inspiration to me. He was always kind to all the girls on my team and cared about us more then you could ever believe. He owns a restaurant and after games he would treat us to dinner. He is a very humble man and I appreciate everything he has done for me. read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
The influence of Marsha undoubtedly is a timely masterpiece that has become a benchmark classic in community upliftment. A leader with the spirit of a forerunner, a nation builder, a risk taker like no other I know, she definitely breaks the mould of poverty. A first rate communicator that restores countless numbers of dis-advantaged in waiting to a champion level and ushers victims of brokenne... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
I began singing as young as I can remember. And as soon as I could, I enrolled with the best music teacher in town. When I started with her, we could immediately tell our political and religious differences.Through her teaching me, however, we have discovered that we have more in common than we could have ever imagined. We are both determined, passionate, and willing to do anything to achieve o... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Frederick O., a Vanderbilt medical student, has drummed up support from numerous global health experts, high school, college and middle school students in the US to raise funds to build and run a clinic in the rural village of Lwala, Kenya where he grew up. The clinic provides care for a village with HIV prevalence of over 25%. In its first 5 months of operation, over 5,000 patients have been s... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
My husband, John, is my hero because he never stops giving. He does everything in his power to provide for our family without complaint. As he faces his upcoming deployment to Afghanistan he carries a positive and uplifting attitude that enables us to look forward. Without him, our lives would be bleak. He gives of himself and his resources to those around him in need, and to those who are u... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Cliff and Shannon have adopted three children, all siblings, from a troubled home. These children are all under the age of five and the oldest has autism. Cliff and Shannon love these children unconditionally and are raising them in an environment of security, love and understanding. Without much money or high-paying jobs, Cliff and Shannon struggle mightily to provide for these children but t... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Dayna was born with a rare disease called schizencephaly. This disease has restricted her from walking and talking since she was a baby. Dayna is now 16 and has surpassed her disability beyond anyone's imagination. Her perseverance and character have inspired me as a leader in my school community. For Dayna, there are no limits or boundaries that she can't cross. She has participated in school ... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Sometimes she can't keep commitments and sometimes she's not dependable...She's not organized. She is a woman, who isn't strong...And yet she is. She is Kind--loving to all. She is inspirational. She is wonderful. She is book smart. She is classy ...She is grace. She is thoughtful. She is a single mother…Someone once said, "Be hope walking," and Cristina (Ana, Tina, Dorothy, mi ... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Javier is my inspiration. Whenever I feel down it seems like I get a text message or a phone call that just brightens my day. He is always cheerful and happy and willing to help others through their time of need, even when he is having a rough time. He never has an unkind word to say to anyone and he just plain makes me smile all the time. Best of all - he likes me for me and not for who he thi... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
His heart is made of gold. He goes above and beyond to ensure that he is understood. As a talented artist, he communicates his passion for telling a story through images. He seeks the truth and holds himself accountable to assure the accuracy of the story. He is an amazing person, he would give you the shirt off his back and do anything for you. He is an exception human being and I am a better ... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
My hero is my husband, Will. He suffers from FSH Muscular Dystrophy, and has recently been diagnosed with a grade 3 (cancer) brain tumor. We have 2 little girls ages 3 and 4. My husband has been through a needle biopsy in his brain only to determine that his tumor is inoperable, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy (ongoing). He has been hospitalized, and is bound to a wheelchair for getting ... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Zurriane has volunteered his time as a Martial Arts instructor for many years to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. For the past nine years he has also volunteered his time as a defense instructor for women and a resisting aggression defense instructor for children. He is also my martial arts instructor and has helped me and many other young people to improve our lives and futures. He is m... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Ashley is my hero. She was shocked and moved by the extreme poverty she saw during a trip to Africa when she was eleven years old. Determined to help the African people, Ashley pursued numerous avenues but found only dead ends and frustration. Five years later, she has raised the money, completed the paperwork, and recruited the board members necessary to form her own non-profit group. AfricAid... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
My hero is my husband. He is a peace pilgrim. He has never missed a day of work in his life. He has only ever had three jobs. He loves me, even when I am unloveable. He considers my son to be his son and raised my son to be like him. He is the most moral, ethical, intelligent man I have ever known. I don't expect to ever meet anyone better than him. He inspires me to be a better person. read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
More than anything else, Will gives me hope. He looks for the good and upholds it in others. He serves, he walks his talk. He uplifts people. He takes meaningful action to make the world and the people in it better. He's real and speaks the truth. He has character. He's a good man. He provides meaningful, heart-full information to his readers. He loves his wife and family. He's living his visi... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Jim coached a TOPSoccer for kids with special needs. He also started the Prom For The Stars, an annual dance for young adults with disabilities.The Saturday soccer games included snacks and a banquet at the end of the year with special trophies. He found sponsors to help with the Prom and many of the dresses and tuxedos for the young women and men were donated by individuals and businesses in ... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
My son Cameron, now 13, was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer when he was 11. He has transformed his experience into an opportunity to help others. He is developing a magazine called Brain Candy! as a way to bridge young people living with brain cancer. He writes a weekly blog and does regular video blogs on YouTube. He has touched so many people. He is not only a hero to me, his papa, a cance... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Four days a week in Hutchinson, Kansas a miracle happens: 200-300 people eat a hot meal. The miracle worker is an unassuming woman named Stanley M. who operates the Christian Soup Ministry. For close to 20 years she’s never missed a scheduled day, never run out of food, never turned anyone away…and never accepted so much as a penny of government assistance.Some days there’s no... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
I’m the executive director of Napa Valley Community Housing, a non-profit that develops and manages housing for low and very-low income residents. These people are my heroes.Most of them are uneducated; many to not speak English and almost all of them make $9-$12 an hour. Yet, they work hard every day in restaurants, vineyards, and hotels to make a better life for their children.They take... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
On February 5th, 2003 my cousin Nick, who was 14 at the time, went with his ski club to have a fun afternoon snowboarding. What started out as a fun afternoon quickly turned into a tragic accident as Nick went off an icy jump, not wearing a helmet. He came down on his neck and immediately went unconscious. His friends formed a circle around him to barricade him from other passerbys and waited f... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Kelly is a one of a kind person. With a heart that she opens to all, Kelly is counted on by many. But what really has set Kelly apart and made her my hero is her non-stop optimism and dedication. Kelly has dedicated her life to helping people, and to helping spread awareness for an array of causes.Let me start by giving you a brief history of Kelly's caring life. It really started from her birt... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Deanna McLemore, my mother, has given selflessly to our small farm community for over 45 years. As a nurse she has touched the lives of most families in the county, either caring for their elderly parents, their children, or anyone in between. She has given up time on the weekends and in the evenings, always off the clock, to go see someone who needed her. She has volunteered for Hospice, he... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
My hero is my daughter Michelle. She has Down's Syndrome. She is 37 years old and on her 4th pacemaker. She was never expected to live past early childhood. She had open heart surgery at age five. She had other people make fun of her because of her weight and she struggled but finally lost 65 lbs. She has kept if off for 6 years. She has had many medical issues and been hospitalized many ... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Hope is a nurse currently working in Darfur with Doctors Without Borders assisting women and children in a clinic camp. Hope wears many hats as she works with cases of trauma/childbirth/rehabilitation; not to mention the general well being and survival of those she touches. She is my hero. read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
This is my father. I am sure that all children think that their father is their hero but mine is extraordinary. When I was two years old, in 1963, my mother died of bone cancer. She left my father not only heartbroken but the father of five children. My extended family rallied together and made the decision that the children would live with various family members because my father was a tra... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Jimmy was the cousin everyone looked up to, the Head Honcho, the cousin who was always there to help the little ones along. He accepted everyone for who they were and what they had to offer, no matter how different they truly were in their life or how they appeared to others. Right up until his life ended a short time ago he was still helping others to find their way. He was a teacher and ha... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
I spent the last 2 weeks serving on the disaster relief operation for Hurricane Ike. While this is not my first with the ARC, I stand in awe of the tireless dedication of many other volunteers. Some of these have spent a significant portion of their life serving their country in times of disaster. One such gentlemen was on his 157th national relief operation. read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
My husband is my hero. We married in 1991. We had nothing but happiness and love for one another. After a few years of working different jobs, my husband decided we needed to do more to be successful and achieve our goals. In 1998, he decided to go to college, get a degree, and find a job that he enjoyed that could also support his family. In 1999 we had our first child, a beautiful baby g... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
When I was twelve, mom became a single parent and raised my sister and I completely by herself. As the daughter of an Appalachian brick mason (and one of seven children), my mother was no stranger to tough and meager times. How she managed to keep us in stylish clothes, Nike’s and well fed on a modest income of near minimum wage is astonishing. For as little money as we had I never felt... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Monte R. is my dad and he has made a huge difference in the first 13 years of my life. He has helped me throughout life and through hard ships. He has never given up on me and has always done what is best for me. If I were to pick anybody to be my hero and help in the future it would most likely be my dad. There is always room for a little more kindness to be given, and every time, my dad fills... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
My son Preston has always been a kindhearted boy. But tears came to my eyes when he asked my wife's friend's sister to dance. She has a mental disorder that makes her seem to be in a distant world. The look of kindness in his eyes while he danced with her made war and pain and violence seem to be a distant thing. He danced with her for thirty minutes without breaking a special connection betwee... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
I have a mental illness and Amanda R. is my social worker here in Kansas City, Missouri. Although for the most part I'm okay, I have certainly put Amanda through the ringer for the four years she's been my social worker. I've definitely confused her, and in my mind I'm sure I had her going crazy. There were days where I would leave 10 or 11 messages on her voice mail that she would discove... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
I have never have met Colin at all or even talked to him but I heard about his story. Colin died in a car accident on January 20th, 2006. After his death people started to come forward with stories about how he quietly performed small acts of courage which saved their lives, the lives of friends, and the lives of their siblings. He never sought recognition. He never did these things to be popul... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Anne Frank, 1929–45, German diarist, b. Frankfurt as Anneliese Marie Frank. In order to escape Nazi persecution, her family emigrated (1933) to Amsterdam, where her father Otto became a business owner. After the Nazis occupied the Netherlands, her family (along with several other Jews) hid for just over two years (1942–44) in a “secret annex” that was part of her father'... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Several years ago, each Christmas season, the Salvation Army would get something extra in their donation bucket near where I live. Someone would drop a one hundred bill with a dollar bill rubber cemented on each side to disguise it, ensuring that he would be able to remain anonymous.One Christmas season, the traditional masked C note did not turn up, then - as if in apology - TWO of them were d... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Cherry is my hero. She lives each day not knowing if it will be her last. She fought breast cancer twice and had a breast removed. Now she is fighting liver cancer. She has done most all of the treatments out there. Her body is so weak, some days she can't raise her head. Her husband works so that they will have insurance, but this means he can't be with her every day. Nonetheless, Cherry alway... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
My hero is a wondrous man named Randy Pausch. His entire life, he has been a symbol of greatness and integrity. Even as he discovered he had cancer, he chose not to mope and dread the inevitable.Instead, Randy became an embodiment of hope and eternal optimism. His memory still lives on today and continues to inspire millions, just as he has inspired me to never give up, no matter what. read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
Recently, I've started reading to my wife while we're lying in bed before we go to sleep. We recently read a book by R. T. Kendall called "Total Forgiveness." It may be difficult to forgive when someone hurts us, but what about someone that causes the death of one of our children? According to Dr. Kendall, in order to receive total forgiveness of our sins, we have to totally forgive s... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY
My hero is my father who, sadly, passed away May 28, 2001, but left a legacy for his sons that will outlive all of us. Born a cast-off kid in Omaha, my father worked his whole life to make a better life for himself and his family. He never crowed about his accomplishments, and even took his share of hardships, but he never complained, and his family always came first. He always was, and alwa... read more→
Values:
HUMILITY