Someone once told me a hero is by definition an ordinary person who does extraordinary things. The recent reflections upon September 11, 2001 has caused me to reflect on the heroes I've encountered in life. Some we might all agree on: the many Americans who gave their lives so others might live on September 11 in New York City. Many of these service personnel knew the risk but gave their all just doing their job. I think of the two burn technicians from Parkland Health & Hospital System in Dallas where I work. After working all day, these gentlemen drove nonstop from Dallas to Manhattan to deliver skin grafts for burn victims of the terrorist attacks. I think of those around the country who worked additional hours in nursing units, fire and police stations, and various faith ministries so coworkers could go to New York City to directly help care for those devastated by the twin tower massacre. Local reports on television and in the newspaper highlighted stories of school children who anxiously gave up precious money to help support those who had personally endured the losses of September 11. And all over the country, transportation personnel worked feverishly to get stranded Americans back home to their loved ones as quickly and safely as possible.
Beyond this recent national event, there are, however, other heroes in my life. I think of an acquaintance, Mark, who lost over 200 pounds through the discipline of determination, diet, and exercise. That seems extraordinary to me! I can't even shed the extra 10 pounds I've gained in middle age. When I think of heroes, I see the faces of women in my Bible class who have endured abuse, abandonment, and other tragedies of life. These women have every right to give up, to see themselves as victims. Yet they choose to focus on the blessings and joys they've experienced instead of the challenges and heartbreak of lives others might label as unfair. These women are heroes to me.
When I think of heroes, I think of 12-year-old Muscular Dystrophy Association National Goodwill Ambassador, Mattie Stepanek, who is ventilator-dependent and wheelchair-bound, yet travels, speaks, and writes extensively about how each of us can make a difference if we just do our part. Mattie doesn't focus on his limitations. He's just worried about making a difference with the time he has left. I think of friends who have battled cancer... Marilyn, Barbara, Karen. Two survived... one died... but all three inspired me through their positive outlook, focus on others, and determination to make the best of a bad situation. These are ordinary people who have done extraordinary things.
There are even heroes who I see almost daily. For instance, my students who juggle full-time nursing jobs, attend school, raise families, and somehow manage to balance their hectic schedules to "do it all." My coworkers in practice seem to find creative ways to do more with less simply because their bottom line remains patient-centered care, despite the frustrations and inequalities that exist in the current healthcare environment. Instead of throwing up their hands and quitting, they find ways to do extraordinary things in an ordinary setting.
My list could go on and on. What about your list? Do you think of the heroes in your life? You should. Some heroes you will meet face-to-face, others you will only hear or read about. Some heroes will impact your life directly, others indirectly. Perhaps the real question is this: Are you a hero? Do you do extraordinary things despite being an ordinary person? I suspect you do and I hope others commend you for these extraordinary things. I have found some of the biggest rewards in my life come from being "other-centered" instead of "self-centered." Being "other-centered" is when the extraordinary happens. Sometimes I recognize the extraordinary and at other times I do not; but there is real joy in knowing as an ordinary person, I have the potential to do extraordinary things.
Just look around you at your patients, coworkers, family, and friends. Many are ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Do you see them? Do you appreciate them? Do you honor them? There are heroes everywhere.
FIGURE