Extraordinary Acts of Courage

Extraordinary Acts of Courage: Selfless Courage from a True Patriot and Mountain Bike Heroes

by patricia on September 26, 2011

Everyday ordinary people do extraordinary things. It doesn’t always happen in your backyard, but this time both OWN heroes shined in some of my own stomping grounds….Orange County, California and Sarasota, Florida.

Eddie Peoples is a father of four boys and a Sergeant in the US Army – he knows all about chaos and control. Fortunately for two of his sons and the community, he also knows how to be a hero. Eddie dragged along two of his young boys when he ran a quick errand to the bank in Sarasota, Florida. He sat his boys down in a couple of chairs and told them to stay. Unfortunately, he needed to worry about more than just his kids staying put. After getting them settled, a man walked into the bank with a gun – instructing everyone to get down and not to move. Eddie’s thoughts went straight to his children. Despite the instructions, he whispered for his kids to get under the chairs and he positioned two chairs to block the children from the robber’s view. Turning with his eyes on the gunman, he placed his hands on his hips to appear non-aggressive. As the robber goes to exit the bank, he pointed the gun towards Eddie’s 6-year old son and said “Don’t anyone try anything or else the little kiddies gets it”. Instinctively Eddie moved a little closer to the robber who then said “Hey you, big black guy, don’t try anything”. After exiting the bank, Eddie felt as if it was his duty to step up and protect his community. After telling his kids to stay put, he headed after the guy. The robber headed across the street and Eddie jumped into his minivan….yes MINIVAN. No longer do they look so wimpy. Eddie proceeded across the street to pin the robber in his car with his own. With his gun drawn on Eddie as he stood in front of his car, Eddie thought the worst was about to happen, but it didn’t! He knew he needed to act fast or he was dead. He jumped from the car and knew he needed to engage in hand-to-hand combat. Close enough to engage he was able to grab the weapon to hopefully deflect the bullets and realized it was too light to be real. He held him to the ground until the police arrived. Amazing and incredibly intense. PLEASE do not attempt this at home people. I am thinking his wife is still yelling at him…and praising him in the same breath.

The next story was one that I remember reading about and watching on the news. Two women had gone out mountain biking in Orange County’s Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. As friends Anne Hjelle and Debi Nicholls headed out for a ride in the middle of the day, they had no idea that they would be fighting for their lives. After reaching a steep climb they came to a stop at the top and watched as two guys headed off ahead of them down the hill. Keeping their competitive juices flowing Anne decided to try to catch them on the road down. Soon they came across a man who said he found an abandoned bike on the trail. Thinking it was the two guys she had seen earlier she thought the guy was just joking around and the continued on. Within a minute or two, Anne hit a plateau and she saw something furry out of the corner of her eye. She thought it was deer and that they were about to collide. Unfortunately it was far worse than that. She was being attacked by a mountain lion. As Debi arrived to the scene, she picked up her bike and threw it at him. He didn’t flinch. She grabbed Anne’s leg and pulled with all of her might. Debi was in a tug-o-war with a mountain lion. As he tore more into Anne, Debi continued to fight to hold onto her friend. As the mountain lion pinned himself against a tree, Debi knew it was bad. Then they heard men on the trail who called down to help. They called in the attack and then Debi told them to throw rocks at the mountain lion. Eventually one of the rocks hit the mountain lion and it took off. Desperate to get her out of there, the guys came down and helped to get her up. Soon after the EMTs arrived as the mountain lion remained close by. Anne was then airlifted out. Shortly after the EMTs noticed a second victim which was a male…the abandoned bike must have been his. The victim, Mark Reynolds, didn’t make it. Anne had extensive damage to her neck and face and required multiple surgeries. However she was alive thanks to her friend Debi….someone who was able to focus and find the courage to fight off a mountain lion. Although the other bikers weren’t mentioned by name, they too are heroes in my book. Without them, both Debi and Anne might have lost the struggle.

I was amazed this episode at the selfless courage each hero showed in both stories. It reminds me that as I walk down the street, it is quite possible there are heroes all around me.

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Extraordinary Acts of Courage: Runaway School Bus, Subway Falls and Sisterly Love

by patricia on September 13, 2011

Being present and aware is the first step in becoming a hero. In these stories, each hero was aware of their surroundings and acted with great courage to save the lives of others.

The first story takes place in Georgia. While waiting for the bus for school, Anaiah Taylor became a hero. As they started to walk across the street to go to the bus stop, she was always sure to look both ways. One rainy morning, Anaiah looked both ways to cross the street and then a care came out of nowhere. Anaiah did her best to protect her sister and push her out of the way. Anaiah took the brunt of the hit. As the bus driver , Loretta Berryman, arrived and upon seeing the accident, she ran to help and started CPR. With no pulse and no breathing, they all were worried. After a few minutes of CPR, she finally took a shallow breath. Following 12 hours of surgery, Anaiah lost her leg but her concern was on her sister. Coming home to a parade, Anaiah and her family found that the town had adopted her as the local hero. An amazing little girl and a true hero!

The next story took place in the subway system of Atlanta. When Frank Cheatham fell onto the tracks of the subway, the clock started ticking. There was only a small window of opportunity for him to survive. Any subway passenger knows to stay away from the third rail…the rail with the most electricity, enough to kill you. When Frank fell, his arm wrapped around the third rail. Luckily he had a couple of heroes in his presence. A retired naval officer, Tony Bennett, trained his whole career to be prepared and ready. As the train began to approach, Tony prayed and jumped into the pit to help. Noticing how bad it was, a second hero joined in, Ali Robinson. As the carefully removed him from the tracks, they barely got him out before the train approached. The fast acting heroes saved Frank…and restored a little more of our faith in everyday heroes.

The final story took place in Methuen, Massachusetts. Another former naval officer found herself in a situation where she needed to act quickly. Fortunately for Marsh Grammar School, Lorie Aliano was still in the school office when danger approached. With buses all over the parking lot, she noticed a bus baking up with no driver. She ran to the bus and jumped into the bus and brought it to a stop. The bus finally came to a stop and no one was hurt….all because Lorie stepped up and showed us all the hero that she truly is.

So as we are left with these incredible stories, we are reminded to be present and aware of our surroundings so that we are able to be a hero when out time comes.

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Extraordinary Acts of Courage: Gangs, Air Collisions and Snake Bites…Oh My!

by patricia on September 9, 2011

Gangs, an Air Collision and Snake Bites…just another day for the average Joe Superhero. Once again a reminder that a hero lies within each of us.

This episode began by introducing a courageous young man, Tevita Veikoso, to us all. The son of a Tongan minister, Tevita dedicated himself to his family, church and football. Unfortunately being a hero, cost him his scholarship. With gang rivalry surrounding his community, Tevita had felt the pull to gangs but found solace in church and his community. As a freshman in high school and already a star athlete with schools looking at him, Tevita found himself overseeing a church fundraiser with lots of kids from the area. As the oldest kid around, he felt responsible for making sure everything was going smoothly. However Tevita couldn’t control the dozen or so gang members that showed up in front of the church. Making sure the kids were safe, he went outside in an attempt to diffuse the situation. The gang members had closed the street down and were blocking the exits. They clearly had a plan. Tevita struggled to find a bat that one gang member had dropped and was able to hold them back awhile until one member hit him in the head with a pipe. All Tevita had wanted was for the gang members to go away and to be sure that all of the kids were safe. However the gang seemed intent on hurting everyone. Eventually the gang retreated and Tevita realized that his eye had been damaged. Tevita lost his left eye and any dream of playing football professionally. The kids were so lucky to have Tevita that day….he truly was their hero!

The next story involved Reuben Bakker a Colorado glider pilot who specialized in taking people up in gliders and allowing them to soar through the sky like eagles. Clearly an exhilarating experience…one that got a little more intense for Brandi Hepburn and her son, Javin. The way it works….a rope is attached between the glider and a tow plane. Once they reach a certain altitude, the rope is released and the crew glides down majestically to the ground. An incredible experience. However it didn’t go that smoothly for Brandi and her son. As Reuben navigated the glider, he noticed a plane coming straight at their tow plane. Within seconds they realized they were in trouble. He quickly released the rope from the tow plane and just as he did, the planes collided. Somehow Reuben was able to steer them through the flames and to safety…saving all of their lives.

The last story involved the one thing that scares me the most….snakes! Seriously. My skin crawls every time I see them on TV or out in my yard. So watching Valeria Chavez tell her story about getting bitten by a copperhead snake, didn’t help. But Valeria couldn’t have had a better neighbor. When young Titus Gurnell answered the door and heard she had been bitten, the boy scout flew across the yard to help her. Skilled in first aid for snake bites, his instincts kicked in and saved her life. Knowing that the venom could rise, Titus grabbed a shoe lace and created a tourniquet at her ankle. After getting to the hospital, the doctors let her know that young Titus saved her leg and most likely her life. This young boy is an amazing hero…that I would LOVE to have as a neighbor!

Being a hero doesn’t have to be big…it is about the little everyday acts of people caring about people. I only hope that this show reminds us all that we too can be a hero just by showing up and helping.

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Extraordinary Acts of Courage – More Heroes show up this week on OWN

by patricia on September 3, 2011

Another incredible episode of “Extraordinary Acts of Courage” aired this weekend on OWN. Everyday heroes at the right place at the right time. As these stories played out, I asked myself what would have happened if no one would have stepped up? So many times you hear stories about people walking by and avoiding eye contact with those in need. BUT finally OWN has a show that reminds us all that there are heroic acts that occur all over the world, all the time. Here are a few of those stories.

When Matthew Lovo fell unconscious behind the wheel of a 140,000 pound truck, his 9 year-old son Mattie and passerby, Chris Howard, found themselves at pivotal moments in their lives. Between extreme fatigue and a newly prescribed antibiotic, Matthew fell into a seizure that rendered him unconscious. His son quickly grabbed the wheel and got onto the CB and radioed for help. As he tried to steady the truck that was heading into oncoming traffic, Chris Howard sprang from his car and entered the cab of the moving truck. The duo was able to bring the rig to a stop with no injuries. The paramedics were called and Matthew recovered. These are the moments where average people like Mattie and Chris allow their inner heroes to show.

Kaleb Eulls was always a protective of his friends and family. With over an hour long bus ride to school, Kaleb and his sisters spent many hours with bus driver, Lucille Boddy. Normally asleep for most of the ride to school, Kaleb missed the start of the drama when a student pulled a gun from her backpack. The young girl began waving the gun in front of Lucille’s face telling her to pull the bus over because she was going to kill everyone. In a panic, Kimberley woke her brother Kaleb and informed him of the situation. As the oldest kid on the bus, Kaleb immediately stood up and took control. He kicked open the emergency exit for kids to escape while he tried to hold the attention of the attacker…not wanting anyone else to be hurt. Once all the kids were off the bus, Lucille called out the girl’s name and when she turned, Kaleb jumped on her, sending the gun across the bus. He then quickly grabbed it and removed the ammunition. At that point, Lucille decided to keep the ammunition and have Kaleb hold onto the unloaded weapon…feeling it was safest to have them separated. That day, by standing up and risking his life Kaleb potentially saved the lives of 22 other people on that bus that day, including the attacker’s. How incredibly brave!

Stephanie Carpluk had no idea that working at a car wash could be so dangerous. Lucky for her, John O’Leary was there when she needed him. Opening the shop that day, Stephanie was all alone. Another cold day with snow on the ground, she found herself bundled up in coats and scarfs trying to keep warm. The safe was kept inside the carwash along a safe side, or so they thought. As she walked along the edge, John sat in his car and caught her in his sight. She tried to open the save but realized something was pulling her back. Her scarf had gotten caught in the spinning brush and was pulling it tightly like a noose. Quickly the situation got bad. Thinking that her neck was broken and unable to get her scarf loose, Stephanie soon was unconscious and pinned to the spinner. John jumped from the car and quickly grabbed his knife from his pocket. He hacked away desperately at the scarf until she finally became free only to fall to the floor. John quickly started CPR and within a short time she started to come around. John O’Leary saved her life.

I truly believe that a hero lies within each of us… a moment where bravery, moral values and a little confidence all come together to do the right thing. I don’t always think that the courage is what holds people back, I think it is the confidence. BUT here is the truth…you don’t have to be an expert at rescue to try. A hero isn’t someone who saves a life. To me, it is someone who stands up and does their best to help others who need them. Confidence to “do your best” is all you need. You don’t have to be perfect. So when that fork of decision appears -“to help or not to help”, remember this… a hero shows up. That is how it all begins.

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“Extraordinary Acts of Courage” Canceled Less Than a Month After Its Premiere?

by patricia on September 3, 2011

OWN is clearly still testing the waters with the occasional flood of new shows. Once again, OWN appears to be canceling a show that very few had the opportunity to get comfy with. “Extraordinary Acts of Courage” premiered on August 3rd and may have already gotten the boot! I am not saying it was a bad decision, but I am not really sure it was given an opportunity. Viewers are fighting the current to try to find ANY new programming only to learn that some have already been cancelled in their infancy.

For instance, I can’t say enough good things about “The Swell Life”, but most people never got to see it. If you didn’t catch the Saturday premiere and season marathon, you missed your one and only chance! I am beginning to think I have a better chance of catching a falling star than finding new shows as they air. OWN you have got to step up!

As for the fate of “Extraordinary Acts of Courage“, we didn’t even hear it from OWN. The show was quietly moved to the “Recently On Air” section…the graveyard for old shows. However, an OWN viewer decided to let us all in via the message board.

“I received an email from one of the producers at Skip Films telling me that the show had been canceled. My daughters episode was due to air in October. What a shame. I felt this was a great addition to the show line-up on this network. Truely what we all have come to know as Oprah Worthy” – mobug

As I struggled with whether or not to blog on the 3 “new episodes” that were thrown out on OWN today, it came down to the fact that each episode has the ability to teach each of us all a little something. So I will be blogging for all of those who didn’t get a chance to see and for those whose stories mattered! Hopefully you will enjoy them and just maybe walk away learning a little something. I know I always do.

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Extraordinary Acts of Courage: Four-Wheeling Family, Fatal Fire Reunion and the NFL Heimlich Move

by patricia on August 9, 2011

OWN’s Extraordinary Acts of Courage delivered another episode of incredible stories. From the country to the past, viewers are taken on journeys that remind us of how important it is to help those in need. You don’t have to be strong or fast, you just need to care enough to try.

The first story involved a young 12 year old boy, Kyle Lemmings, from McLoud, Oklahoma and his grandmother, Rhonda Godwin. Kyle’s life was a bit hectic. With his parents separating and a bit of a rebellious streak, the family thought it would be a good idea for him to head out and spend a few days in the country with his grandmother. After getting Kyle’s help with a few tasks, Rhonda suggested they take a break and head out on ATVs for a bit of fun. Now, not everyone has a grandmother who likes to go out four-wheeling and after hearing this story that may be a good thing. Rhonda had driven out to show Kyle a beaver dam. As they started to turn around to head back, Rhonda tried to turn around but found her four-wheeler headed down a hill towards the water. With the emergency break not working and not being able to put it in reverse, things got worse. She ended up hitting a stump that flipped her four-wheeler and landed her underneath it in about 4 feet of water. She was pinned and fighting for her life. Kyle leaped into the water lifted the four-wheeler and pulled his grandmother to safety. He drove her to the house and called her husband. Once she reached the emergency room, the determined she had a broken collar bone and wrist. She knew if it hadn’t been for her grandson, she wouldn’t be alive. With a new perspective on life, Kyle headed down a new path…one that he and his family were proud of. Often times things occur in our lives that change us forever. The impact can completely redirect us. For most, what truly matters becomes intensified and we have a chance to make a change. On that day, Kyle became a hero and he will never be the same.

The next story occurred in Boston. It isn’t the typical story covered in this show, but it was just as powerful. Tammie Brownlee had been in a fatal fire when she was young. She lost her entire family that day. Her photo had been taken the night of the fire and she hoped that by researching it, she could find answers and lead her to the firefighter who had saved her life. By contacting the photographer, Stanley Forman, he was able to fill in a few gaps and point her in the direction of the firefighter who saved her, Alfred Chase. Alfred had entered the engulfed apartment and found Tammie’s mother over her two children. Pulling Tammie out from under her mother he realized she was unconscious. He placed his oxygen onto her and ran her out to the hallway. He handed her off to the man in the photo. Tammie was only 3 years old. By finding Alfred and Stanley, Tammie was able to put many of her questions to rest….and meet the hero that saved her life.

The last story involved NFL superstar, Tony Gonzalez, could be called a hero by many football fans, but now he can truly claim the title. One night when he was out to dinner with his wife and brother…the same night Ken Hunter decided to head out for some steak. As Tony enjoyed the evening, he heard Ken’s girlfriend yelling. Ken was choking. Although Tony had never taken a first aid class, he ran over and performed Heimlich maneuver on Ken. A simple wrap around hug with a few thrusts and a life was saved. Before this even happened Ken knew Tony….he had been a fan for a long time. He wanted to do something to show his appreciation and Tony told him he could donate to his charity “Shadow Buddies“. Ken did just that. Once again, being in the right place at the right time…all you need to do is react and help to be a hero and save a life. I am sure Ken will be a Tony Gonzalez fan for life!

Every one of us has the ability to show up for someone in need. To be a hero in the eyes of family or strangers. All it takes is the courage to try.

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OWNs Extraordinary Acts of Courage Taps into the Hero that Lies Within Each of Us

by patricia on August 7, 2011

The debut of Extraordinary Acts of Courage on the Oprah Winfrey Network reminded us that in the worst moments in life….heroes are born. We make choices everyday that effect the people around us. However, it is in our greatest times of need that ordinary people make the quiet choice to become heroes. This new half-hour show gives a glimpse of true events that lead up to extraordinary acts of courage. It offers a glimpse at the brave actions and the appreciation of those who were affected. The premier shows brought us tales of car crashes, avalanches, bridge collapses, a flaming race car and an actual train wreck. Lots of disasters which gave birth to incredible heroes.

Although it was a little stressful watching these horrific events, OWN did a great job of focusing on the people and their stories. In tragedy, I believe most people become their best selves. The walls we put up to isolate and protect ourselves come down quickly and the goodness spills out. We reach out to strangers as if they are family. It isn’t always reported and at times not even noticed, but that isn’t what drives us. When it comes down to it, the ordinary person cares enough to step forward and become extraordinary. 

In truth, we don’t have to wait for a tragedy to be heroic and not all heroes climb on top of burning cars. We have the opportunity to be small heroes in our everyday lives. When you see someone in need, HELP. Whether it is someone having a hard time using a gas pump, appearing confused or simply struggling with a tray that is too heavy for them to carry, a simple “do you need some help?” can mean so much. It won’t get you on the cover of a paper or on the Oprah Winfrey Network, but it will spread love and caring. Something this world could use more of. Just think…what would the world be like if we all unleashed the hero within? 

Thank you OWN for delivering a show, Extraordinary Acts of Courage, that reminds us of the hero that lies within each of us. If you missed the first episodes, be sure to set your DVR for Friday nights at 10/9c so it doesn’t happen again!

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