There are many second chance stories in progress. Some people
have just realized that they have received a second chance. Others are
in the middle of doing something productive with them. Some have had
success and are finding ways to give back. All are inspiring and motivating in their
own ways.
Lon Coleman, with a photo of his brother Chase
The crystal heart was a gift
to a family who lost a son. It says: "You gave life not once, but twice."
The Colemans, whose
20-year-old son Chase died in a car accident, get solace from knowing that his
heart saved another family from losing their Dad.The families are close and have helped each other overcome.
Read this heartwarming and powerful story in The Free Press; article by Krista Jahnke; photography by: Susan Tusa of The Detroit Free Press.
Lt. Col. Shelly Martin-Hing, author of "Forged by the Fire of Adversity" under the pen name Chelle Lynne, signs a copy of her book for Maj. Eric Bullock
Army officer helps others to
overcome PTSD by sharing how she overcame her own adversity and suicidal
thoughts.
Lt. Col Shelly Martin-Hing
suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after her 3 year old special needs
daughter died in 2003.She told
writer Will King, in her case: "I finally got to the point where I knew I
had kind of hit my wall," she said. "I came to the realization that
if I don't do something here, I'm going to self destruct...Faith was my bedrock,
it was my foundation. It was what I turned to as my method of recovery."
With 119 active-duty
suicides so far this year, she told the reporter "that suicide prevention one
of the greatest challenges the Army has ever faced." The Army has established a
suicide prevention task force which also addresses the family as well as the
overall health of the soldiers.
Read more from FtLeavenworth.com; article by Will King; photo by Prudence Siebert
Angie, a breast cancer survivor, is choosing to get better instead of bitter.
She is giving back to the army of people who are helping her recover by spreading the word of early detection and inspection.
She told TriCities.com: "You don't choose to get cancer, but you do choose how you respond.
Cancer is a disease that takes. It will rob you of everything that you
will give it. Do NOT let it take anymore than it must have. I will
not let it rob me of my spirit."
TriCities.com; article by Hank Brown; photo courtesy: Susan G. Komen Foundation.
