A New Kind of Hero

What do a marine, a runner, and a 16 year old girl have in common? No, this is not one of those dumb jokes. And yes, these are real people.

Since I write fiction, I deal with imaginary people most of the day. However, I continually amazed at what real people do. I’m flabbergasted at the stupid and rude choices people make, and I’m stunned by the wonderful deeds by everyday heroes.

And speaking of heroes, let’s see if you’ve heard of these people.

1. Ivan Fernandez

Early this year, Ivan was second in a cross-country race in Burlada, Navarre. However, as he and Abel Mutai, the man in first place, approached the finishing line, he saw his chance. Abel is from Kenya and didn’t understand the Spanish signs around him. He slowed, thinking he had crossed the finish line.

Ivan had a choice. Speed past to seize victory or point Abel to the finish line. Many people wouldn’t hesitate. It was a race. Abel made a mistake, and that was his problem.

Ivan did something unexpected. He slowed, stayed behind Abel, and guided him to the line where Abel crossed first. You can read about it here.

 2. Lance Cpl. Myles Kerr

In August of 2013, Myles Kerr also lost a race in Michigan, but he did something far more valuable. As he was running, he noticed a 9-year-old boy who was separated from his group and struggling to complete the race.

When the boy asked for help, Kerr stayed with him until he finished the race. In fact, Kerr even made sure the boy was reunited with his group at the end of the course.

Kerr finished last in his age group. In responding to tweets honoring his actions, he said, “I was just doing what any man would do, but thank you!” His story is told here.

 3. Malala Yousafzai

When she was 11, she began blogging about life under the Taliban in Pakistan and built a reputation as an advocate of education. Last year when she was 15, she got on a bus to go to school. A man stepped onto to the bus, asked which girl was her, and then shot her in the head.

She was rushed to London and began a long road to recovery but has come out of the experience stronger than ever. She’s nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

When asked what happened after she was shot, she had this to say. “Weakness, fear and hopelessness died,’ she declared. ‘Strength, power and courage was born.”

You can go here to read more about Malala.

What do a marine, a runner, and a 16 year old girl have in common?

They did what was right, even if the whole world thought it was crazy or outright dangerous. Maybe the consequences were considered, but all three made the choice to give up their goal, their prize, or their safety to stand up for that was right.

None of them thought they were doing anything terribly heroic, only doing what was right.

I write tales of regular people thrown into horrible situations where they must accomplish great feats. Yet our world is calling for a different kind of hero. We don’t need Superman or any of the Avengers to change our world to a better place.

We need the hero who does what is right in his or her everyday life. We need the kind of hero that you can be – the one who sees the needs of people around them and does something about it.

We need you to be a hero. Are you up for the task?

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