What makes a hero?

[Donor]

It was both an honour and a privilege for me to spend all day yesterday in the company of a young girl, aged 10 or 11 who I would call a hero.

She has never run into a burning building to save kittens, she's not campaigning to have whales outlawed thus saving depleted krill stocks, never run around with a cape on nor worn underwear outside her clothing.

She hasn't gone to 3rd world countries to broker peace, never shot a gazillion bad guys with a 6 shooter without reloading to save a bus load of Albanian nuns from crazed guerillas.

...and no folks, she has NEVER gone 'NEDWN!

Here's what she HAS done.

1) Raised over $500 for Child Cancer research through making and selling bead bracelets and keychains.

2) Raised awareness of child cancer through educating peers and adults.

3) Accepted the fact she is dying, and made her family comfortable in the little time she has left.

I spent some time at the end of the day sitting with her, talking about Myeloid Leukaemia and hearing this beautiful young girl tell me matter of factly what will happen to her, and how she plans to fight like buggery in the vain and probably futile hope she will make it to remission one more time. I watched her proudly display her bracelets and key chains - all beautiful and reluctantly declined a freebie as I didn't have $3 on me and frankly she needs to sell as many of these things as she can.

I did give her a gift - my lucky ambulance shears, the scissors she had were going blunt and ask any ambo, those shears will go through damn near anything. The smile I got will be with me for a very long time.

I got home this evening after a night in Palmy and sat watching my two boys (2 and 5) and you know, I can only hope that they grow up to be as strong as that little girl. If more kids could be as well grounded then we'd all be in a much happier place.

I hugged my boys and cried. Those of us that have kids who will live to be adults are the luckiest people in the world, and thank God we have heroes in our midst...

[janno]

Have a big problem with sportsmen being described as "heroes", especially the ones who fall in to believing their own hype.

Have much respect for people like your young friend being described as such.

My Mum lived with MS for 20 years before she died of it. Took far more courage than fighting a war, according to her brother who was in the French Foreign Legion for five years.

So I know a little of the mindset you are describing. Humbling.:mellow:

[Hitcher]

Cancer always seems worse when it affects kids. Nobody deserves cancer, particularly people who have yet to really live and experience all life can offer. Canteen is one of the three charities I support.

A work colleague of mine lost his 12-year-old daughter yesterday to brain cancer. He is shattered and wracked with grief. I cannot imagine what is in his heart or mind.

[NZsarge]

Cancer always seems worse when it affects kids. Nobody deserves cancer, particularly people who have yet to really live and experience all life can offer. Canteen is one of the three charities I support.

A work colleague of mine lost his 12-year-old daughter yesterday to brain cancer. He is shattered and wracked with grief. I cannot imagine what is in his heart or mind.
Sorry to hear about your colleagues daughter, can't begin to understand how that family is feeling. Condolences.

[Grahameeboy]

Good one Donor.......life is fragile and we don't often realise that until we have experiences like yours.

Nats has what is basically a terminal muscular disorder.......she is fragile and even at 4 she knows the that she is different but it does not matter to her.

I asked her the other day whether she was bothered that she could not dance or walk..she said "No Daddy", I asked her if she wished she could walk and she said "No Daddy because I have my wheelchair"

How these kids have a profound sense of things at such a young age is a real jerker eh?

Like you say Donor, makes you appreciate your own kids more eh?

Bling to you.

[Paul in NZ]

Cancer always seems worse when it affects kids. Nobody deserves cancer, particularly people who have yet to really live and experience all life can offer. Canteen is one of the three charities I support.

A work colleague of mine lost his 12-year-old daughter yesterday to brain cancer. He is shattered and wracked with grief. I cannot imagine what is in his heart or mind.

What is a hero without love for mankind. ~ Doris Lessing ~

Ahh fuck (and thats a word I reserve for special occasions)... No parent deserves that.... There is nothing worse... Brett - for what its worth that child in in our thoughts...

Don't waste your life on anger folks. There is just so much humanity in life - wallow in it....

[kevfromcoro]

sad story donor...how about selling those chains on here..i mean i dont need a chain ..but iam sure a lot of us wouldnt mind giving a bit of a donation..... for a good cause..........come on bros...... couple of bucks each

[Donor]

sad story donor...how about selling those chains on here..i mean i dont need a chain ..but iam sure a lot of us wouldnt mind giving a bit of a donation..... for a good cause..........come on bros...... couple of bucks each

I thought about it, but the capacity in which I was with her was a professional one, and I'm not sure about the ethics of contacting the family outside my role.

I'd probably suggest you contact CanTeen and arrange a donation, or just look out for bandanna's next Bandanna Day and buy one or two... perhaps make it regional ride day and have mass KB head shavings?

Hell, I'd auction off my head and legs for shaving/waxing to the highest bidder if there was enough interest (be a pretty steep reserve though!)

[Skyryder]

Got me thinking about the people who get themselves on the honours list. Seems to me that this little lady should have been there instead of some of the tossers who get 'honoured' just for doing their job.

Good post donour and best wishes for the 'hero.'

Skyryder

[kevfromcoro]

I thought about it, but the capacity in which I was with her was a professional one, and I'm not sure about the ethics of contacting the family outside my role.

I'd probably suggest you contact CanTeen and arrange a donation, or just look out for bandanna's next Bandanna Day and buy one or two... perhaps make it regional ride day and have mass KB head shavings?

Hell, I'd auction off my head and legs for shaving/waxing to the highest bidder if there was enough interest (be a pretty steep reserve though!)

iam not to sure how to go about this.....lets let the thread run for a while..iam sure someone will know how to set it up........shave your head...shit iam bald allready......better start growing my hair...

[Donor]

iam not to sure how to go about this.....lets let the thread run for a while..iam sure someone will know how to set it up........shave your head...shit iam bald allready......better start growing my hair...

Of course someone will be able to organise something... that's why we have women dammit... Gods gift to organising!

Any takers for coordinator?

[Winston001]

Thanks Donor for the reminder of how much good and strength there is in the world of quiet decent people.

[cowboy]

Yip shes my kind of hero: yes:
Thanks for reminding us to appreciate what we have

[mbazza]

Thanks for allowing us all in to consider heroes and this one child's story. Wish her well and acknowledge your kids are highly precious.
Makes me wonder why we, the motorcycle community don't band together to ride and raise some dollar for child cancer research!
I presume we all ride because of the one thing, 'fun'. We could use this one concept to get ourselves and the caged community to empty some moey into the greatly needed reasearch coffers.
Some activity ideas:
Most scooters / Ducaties / Harley''s / Suzuki's etc on a ride, sponsorship arranged by each rider.
Riders approach others to sponsor each km of their daily commute, eg: sponsored ride on a particular Friday, the aim is to donate the dollar value of your commute to child cancer research.
What are your ideas? Can we work together as a community to help 'Donor's wee hero and the cause she has dear to her heart?
Are you a interested? What ideas can you come up with?

[Mrs Busa Pete]

Of course someone will be able to organise something... that's why we have women dammit... Gods gift to organising!

Any takers for coordinator?

They done a doco on that little girl well if it's the same one. This is very touching and i would be more than happy to coordinate. If you are able to give me any information would help. But will also contact canteen and see if they can give me any information.

[Donor]

I'll put a request through proper channels, and see if I can get contact details for the little lass or at least the family.

As previously stated, if anyone else is interested in starting some FUNdraising for child cancer, then I'll start the ball rolling by offering:

1) A head to be shaved bare (I'll grow a bit more hair to make it a challenge)
2) 2 perfectly good and fur covered legs for the waxing of. (Prefer a lady to win this one!)

Perhaps a new thread could be born...

[mbazza]

Cool ideas, yes Canteen is the way to go (doh I didn't think of that!). Thanks - Cheers.

[Maha]

...and no folks, she has NEVER gone 'NEDWN!



Hell even i have not done the above Donor, its great that you know that its not a name, its a statement, although i do get called it from time to time..:yes: Anything you need a hand with in reguards to ideas on a organised ride you just say the word mate

[007XX]

Damn...ok, I'll start by wiping the tears off my face! Geez, that's an awesome thread Donor, thanks for bringing it up.

I got a beautiful (and God bless, very healthy) 9 year old son, and there isn't a day that goes by without me thanking whatever or whoever gave him to me.

Often, when I'm down, my mind wanders into the "what if" file: what if he got sick, hurt or the likes....and it doesn't bear thinking about!

I have been lucky enough to meet young ones like this young lady you have mentionned, and the courage, maturity and profound insight of these beautiful souls is staggering and so very humbling.

Please put me down for any participation I'd be able to offer. Hell, a brazillian is not that much pain for such a worthy cause....

[Big Dan]

I'll put a request through proper channels, and see if I can get contact details for the little lass or at least the family.

As previously stated, if anyone else is interested in starting some FUNdraising for child cancer, then I'll start the ball rolling by offering:

1) A head to be shaved bare (I'll grow a bit more hair to make it a challenge)
2) 2 perfectly good and fur covered legs for the waxing of. (Prefer a lady to win this one!)

Perhaps a new thread could be born...

i also have 2 really hairy legs that your more than welcome to wax for this great cause

[Big Dan]

this is a link to the term Hero

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero

[crashe]

I'll put a request through proper channels, and see if I can get contact details for the little lass or at least the family.

As previously stated, if anyone else is interested in starting some FUNdraising for child cancer, then I'll start the ball rolling by offering:

1) A head to be shaved bare (I'll grow a bit more hair to make it a challenge)
2) 2 perfectly good and fur covered legs for the waxing of. (Prefer a lady to win this one!)

Perhaps a new thread could be born...

If its a tad closer to summer... I will also have my head shaved for this cause as well.
(as I need to have some cysts removed from my head when it is shaved)


So how much will all you KBers pay for me to have my hair (on my head) all shaved off?

[Hitcher]

I don't know about shaving my head for Canteen (the world isn't ready for that), but for a "significant" starting bid I'd lose my 33-year-old moustache...

[Madness]

I don't know about shaving my head for Canteen (the world isn't ready for that), but for a "significant" starting bid I'd lose my 33-year-old moustache...

I'll put in $10 to ensure Hitcher doesn't shave that big noggin of his. I'd support a KB initiative to help Canteen, as I'm sure all of us would.

[Firefight]

some of our guys did this a while back, we ran an auction,, people bid to shave our hair off, was heaps of fun and raised a bit of dosh for the cancer kids ,to make it more intersting we all dyed our hair prior to the auction !

if someone sets it up again, would be keen to get involved, what the hell not that much hair left anyway !, I am sure I can get a few other guys involved


F/F

[cowboy]

Im willing to lose my hair for a worthy cores :doh: If the price is rite

Man I mis my kids:weep:

[Skyryder]

What is a hero without love for mankind. ~ Doris Lessing ~


I knew I knew that name.


"I am so happy to be communicating with people on this newest of newwavelengths which to some older people must seem like a kind of magic."
- Doris Lessing



Skyyrder

[Lucy]

I thought about it, but the capacity in which I was with her was a professional one, and I'm not sure about the ethics of contacting the family outside my role.

I'd probably suggest you contact CanTeen and arrange a donation, or just look out for bandanna's next Bandanna Day and buy one or two... perhaps make it regional ride day and have mass KB head shavings?

Hell, I'd auction off my head and legs for shaving/waxing to the highest bidder if there was enough interest (be a pretty steep reserve though!)

Didn't you fullas and fullesses see the Simpsons tonight????

Bikers are supposed to be BAD!

Yer but no but yer. Nice one Donor.

[Toaster]

Always keen for doing what we can for those less fortunate than ourselves. A fundraiser ride sounds good.

[Mrs Busa Pete]

Sorry donar dont want to take over your thread but reading throught this got me thinking so Have put one up myself.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=52377

[kro]

I too have been in the presence of those whom are fated, and know it. The little ones can humble the mightiest "hero", by their sheer acceptance of the hand they're playing out.

[Donor]

Sorry donar dont want to take over your thread but reading throught this got me thinking so Have put one up myself.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=52377

Fine by me! It's not 'my' thread anyways, and I was hoping like hell someone woud pick this up 'cos I can't organise my way out of a paper bag!

Working on some corporate input at the moment though... huzzah!

[BuFfY]

It is sad to think that terrible things have to happen for some amazing things to happen. That young girl is the sort of person who is needed in a world like ours... but she will make her impact before she is gone, and she obviously is well on her way seen as there is support like this for her.

My main fear in life is to get cancer. It is a real fear, not heights, not spiders, but cancer. And to think of a child passing before the parents... is so heart breaking.

I spent a morning in the special needs unit of the school I am in at the moment, that broke my heart... but those children (and their teachers) have hearts of gold.. you have to be a special person to do what those people do.

I personally wouldn't shave my head but would offer any other body part to you to wax/shave

[Beemer]

Have a big problem with sportsmen being described as "heroes", especially the ones who fall in to believing their own hype.

Have much respect for people like your young friend being described as such.

I totally agree, and they are not celebrities either. I went up to Linton camp recently to take a photo of them handing over a cheque to the Child Cancer Foundation. The little girl who was there to accept the cheque was in remission but the woman from the foundation said her son lost his battle aged four. I just find it heartbreaking because you can't always beat it.

I also covered the last few months of Nathan Blackler's fight with cancer. While in remission he walked from Auckland to Burnham and raised more than $60,000 for the Child Cancer Foundation. Unfortunately he didn't win his battle with cancer but he did what he could to help others even when he was dying. They are the ones I feel are heroes.

The day he died was the national collection day for the Child Cancer Foundation and his family asked that donations be given to the foundation in his memory, so that was a fitting tribute to a decent bloke.

[Donor]

I am working nights at the moment, and last night I got a message on my pager from our Comms center that there was a package at station for me.

Couple of hours later I made it back to station, and 3 other ambos were standing around waiting for me to open my package.

I opened it, and inside were a thank you card from my little patient I had taken down to Palmy, as well as a bracelet and key chain that she had made specially for me.

I swear, after I walked outside into the night air, said a little prayer and shed a few tears, I was walking on cloud 9 for the rest of my shift.

I am no even more determined to do something to help these cancer kids out - and I hope to drag a lot of you all into this with me!

Right, soppy moment over, off to work... with my new key chain :)

[gijoe1313]

I'm sitting in class with my seniors at the moment, and I have a little water around my eyes reading that... :weep: So touching...

You're paying it forward my main man! Keep it going - those stories are an inspiration to us all... :yes:

[Donor]

I learned tonight that the wee lass has died.

It's made another night shift very hard to deal with...

Life may be precious, but it's seldom fair it seems.

[Grahameeboy]

I learned tonight that the wee lass has died.

It's made another night shift very hard to deal with...

Life may be precious, but it's seldom fair it seems.

Sad news but she left her mark which many of us will never do in our own lifetimes..............I suspect she knew it was soon to be goodbye matey hence the gift............

Oh little one
You make us seem dumb

You have suffered enough
And your life has been rough

But you changed many a heart
Before you chose to depart

Thank you for that

[chanceyy]

I learned tonight that the wee lass has died.

It's made another night shift very hard to deal with...

Life may be precious, but it's seldom fair it seems.

sorry to hear that Donor, there are some ppl who really touch your lives .. this wee lass would have touched many

at least she is now at peace & her memory will live on in many ppl ... she may be gone but never forgotten


RIP wee one ..

[Donor]

Thanks folks.

Hoping to get contact details for her family in the next few days, I want to bring them on board for the fundraising ride I want to put together.

Funny, I knew her for only a day, yet feel like I have lost a friend of years.

Hug your kids parents, and treasure every thing about them.

Run out of things to say really, and going now because it doesn't look good for an ambo with red runny eyes to be seen running round hospitals.

RIP Elle... and thankyou so much for my gifts and lesson in humility :innocent:

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

Thank you for sharing that. I felt so sad to read she had passed away. I have always donated to Canteen. My brother was given 2years to live at aged 9, they used him as a guinea pig for new cancer drugs - he's been in remission for 38 years, was told he would never have kids and fathered a son. It was a taboo subject back then.

About 5 years ago he was reunited with the Nurse who nursed him at the time. Still brings tears to my eyes. They hugged and greeted each other like long lost friends.

No parent should ever suffer the death of their child. Really no words could truly describe that experience.

One never ever forgets children like that little girl. They teach us so much.
RIP

[007XX]

Thanks folks.

Hoping to get contact details for her family in the next few days, I want to bring them on board for the fundraising ride I want to put together.

Funny, I knew her for only a day, yet feel like I have lost a friend of years.

Hug your kids parents, and treasure every thing about them.

Run out of things to say really, and going now because it doesn't look good for an ambo with red runny eyes to be seen running round hospitals.

RIP Elle... and thankyou so much for my gifts and lesson in humility :innocent:

My words mean little here now...

But, RIP Elle...with all my heart!

And Donor, I admire you for your balls in giving a hoot on a daily basis.

[Donor]

Sorry to flog an old thread here folks...

I got another surprise a couple of days ago.

The transit care nurse that traveled with us received a letter a couple of days before Elle died (7/7/07). In it she talks about the trip down and how she really enjoyed it, especially when we hit the lights and sirens to give her younger brother something to look at when we drove past their driveway. She also talked about the hard case ambulance officers, and how if it hadn't been for them then she would never have got back to Palmerston North.

I have a copy of this letter, the nurse photocopied it for me. So now it sits neatly folded, along with my bracelet and keychain, in a leather chest that holds all my precious trinkets, things that mean something to me.

I'm slowly making progress in contacting the family, and have settled on the charity that I will donate the money raised to, this is the Manawatu-Wanganui Child Cancer Foundation, as this is the charity Elle gave all the money she raised from her bracelets to.

Hopefully some folk out there will give me a rev up with this, but I'm aiming to have something organised for when the warmer weather is upon us.

Right, back to... well, whatever it was you were doing before you read this :)

[Donor]

Just keep coming back to this ...

Yesterday was 1 year since Elle died.

S'funny, I have been involved with my current employer for 8 years as a volunteer, and worked full time for a year and a half, and this is still the only person I have ever had stick in my mind this long.

Today is a good day to fix the bike and take a ride methinks...

[Citroenjunkie]

Thanks for reminding us to appreciate all the great things we have.

Thanks too for doing such a great job! The Papakura Ambulance guys saved my life 10 years ago when I had a heart attack. I was 29 at the time.

Everyday I wake up, I remember, and am greatful!:yes: