Who is your hero?

[Falkenbach]

I saw Angela's thread entitled "heroes" and thought this is what it would be about, but it was actually about the TV program by the same name (which I've never actually watched).

Anyway, that inspired me to start this thread.

So, who is yours?

[okarol]

Jenna's donor Patrice is my hero. Recently I nominated her in an essay contest to come to the Rose Parade here in California. The theme was about roses and inspiration and was organized by our local procurement area center. She was one of the top finalists! (The woman who won donated her husband's organs, they had raised 5 children together that they adopted from Mother Theresa's orphanage - hard to beat that. AND she's been in a wheelchair her whole life too!)

Anyway, here's my essay:

Family Circle Rose Dedication Program – Pilgrimage to Pasadena

Who are you nominating? Patrice Smith
Relationship Stranger, turned friend
Where does the nominee live? Wooster, Ohio

1. How has organ and tissue donation touched your life/life of the nominee?
   When you think of a hero you may naturally picture a big strong firefighter, rushing into a burning home to save a child, or imagine the hero to be a comic book super being, ridding the city of crime.  But imagine Patrice Smith, a petite woman, a college administrator, a wife and mother who runs marathons for fun – how could she be considered a hero?
   Throughout history the word heroism refers to people that, in the face of danger and adversity; or from a position of weakness, display courage and the will for self-sacrifice, for some greater good. Patrice Smith, a total stranger, donated a kidney to our 21-year-old daughter, liberating her after 3 years on dialysis. With pure altruism, Patrice contacted Jenna, persevered through the evaluation process, traveled across the US and gave a beautiful gift of love and life – giving Jenna the chance to pursue her dreams, and live the life of a normal young woman.

2. How do you/nominee inspire others to donate? (Volunteer work, media, personal interactions, involvement with donation/transplant groups)     Patrice’s generous living kidney donation has inspired me to help other by being an advocate for organ donation.  I now serve as a moderator for an Online Community of Dialysis and Kidney Patients. I am also a administrator for a forum for Living Organ Donors. After struggling with renal failure for 6 years, Jenna has inherited Patrice’s tri-athlete energy since the transplant, walking all over Pasadena, working out in the gym, and is now the most physically fit she’s ever been in her life! She hopes to participate in the US Transplant Games in 2008!

The rose is a symbol of love, loss & renewal. To some it is hope, to others grief and still others gratitude...
3. What does the Family Circle Rose mean to you/nominee?
   The red rose symbolizes love, respect, courage, and desire. Patrice had the desire and the courage to become a living donor, to help someone she had never met, to give Jenna a chance at a better life. We love and respect her for the sacrifice she made and the gift she gave. Like a red rose, which blooms, sharing beauty without expecting anything in return, Patrice has made the world a sweeter place.

4. What would coming to Pasadena to place your rose mean to you/nominee?
   We live in Pasadena and we love the Rose Parade. Our family has worked on the Donate Life Float for the last 4 years. This trip would be a gift for Patrice. It would be a way of coming full circle, to thank her by including her in the Family Circle Rose Dedication.
5. Have you/nominee met or corresponded with your donor family or a recipient of your loved one's organs? (If applicable)
   We have spent time with Patrice and her husband before, during and after the transplant. They will always be welcome in our home. As my sister says, “A part of Patrice is in our family, and Patrice is now part of our family!”

[Joe Paul]

Very good essay 

[Wattle]

   Beautiful heart felt nomination Okarol. She should have won in my books.   

[skyedogrocks]

Rob is my hero.  He's had type 1 diabetes for over 25 years and battling kidney disease for 2 years.  He also has bad knees due to a knee replacement when he was 15 (broke his leg playing football), has screws in his other knee and battled osteomylitis in his big toe twice.  He never complains, always has a smile.  Gets up at 5:00 am to go to his physical labor job as an Electrician every day, even when he feels like total crap.  He's my rock, my best friend and most of all my husband.  He's an amazing person!

[boxman55]

Great essay Okarol you should of won but then again you already have, many times over, Jenna's very lucky to have a Mom as caring as you...Boxman

[kitkatz]

My hubby does not know this, but he is my hero.  I watch him adjust to having only one foot this year and keep moving onward in spite of daily pain. He also loves me no matter what and puts up with a moody dialysis patient.

[Sunny]

You all are heroes to me. I have great repect for the abilities you all have in learninng to cope with your kidney disease. I used to fear my future of dialysis or transplantation, but after reading what you have to say on this web site, my fear is gradually subsiding.

[willieandwinnie]

My husband is my hero, and I've told him so, many times. He fought to come back from dead more then once and has continue to fight whatever is thrown at him. I only wish I was half as strong as he is. I've looked up to him for almost 30 years.

willieandwinnie

[Romona]

My heroes are people (like the people here), that face challenges and still keep a sense of humor about it. My donor even though he's no longer here  and his family, they have such courage. 

[Red from Canada]

My hero is my husband , Russ.  We have been married almost 40 years and I have been sick since my heart attack 9 years ago.  The hip needs fixing, the heart needs fixing,the kidneys are shot and he still loves me and helps me with everything and never complains.  He makes my problems seem small and never complains!   I am one very lucky lady!

[angela515]

My mom is my hero. She would never take no for an answer. The minute she knew I would need a kidney one day, she knew it was her who was going to give it. Finally, when the time came there she was, not taking no for an answer and demanding the doctors test her to be a donor.  I wish there was a way for me to pay her back.. words just can't express my gratitude. I have wrote Oprah so many times trying to get my story heard so maybe she could surprise my mom with her dream cruise or something... but no answer yet. I think I'll try Ellen. 

Anyways... I LOVE MY MOM! 

[goofynina]

It's gotta be my hubby, hands down, he has been with me through good and bad, happy and sad, poor and poorer sick and sicker and has never complained once, but my mom, she is my heroine (is that right) lol, she is my WonderMama and i love them both sooooo much 

[Falkenbach]

I got exactly the answers I was expecting!

I had my answer all ready to give, but decided to withhold it until I saw what everyone else had to say, and whether it would be what I expected.

Naturally, my answer is my dad, for donating his kidney to me and acting like it was no more than a visit to the dentist (in front of me, anyway!).

[glitter]

My husband, and my Mom and Dad. My husband- because he is awesome in the face of adversity, my parents for unconditional love, that is truely unconditional...they taught me how to love my own kids.

[KR Cincy]

My wife is my hero. Less than four years into our marriage, our lives are flipped upside down by my cancer and losing both kidneys. I gave her several opportunities to bail out...I would have understood if she wanted to walk away from the new reality that is our life, but she stayed and learned home hemo and takes incredibly good care of me.