REAL LIFE HEROES DON’T COME FROM FROM ANOTHER PLANET… THEY LIVE SECRETLY IN OUR MIDST!
I can never forget the story Captain Sully of the Hudson River landing fame, where his heroic act saved many lives. While his story, and that of the survivors whose lives he saved, is well known, there are many more heroes whose stories emerge, but mostly go unnoticed.
Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger’s name is etched in history as a hero, thanks to his remarkable emergency landing of Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in 2009. His quick action and calm response to a crisis saved all passengers and crew lives. For this heroic act, he is admired and his story is widely known as an example of heroism…as seen in the 2016 film ‘Sully’.
However, his act of skill and courage is just one of many unheard of stories that surface in differently in everyday life. It is not hard to find many examples of ordinary people who surprisingly step-up in response to crises in extraordinary ways. From untold stories of Doctors who saved Covid patients while risking of self-infection , to stories of firefighters who bravely fight flames to save others, there are countless examples of such heroes that reflect the innate selflessness in human spirit.
Media is the culprit
However, instead of spreading such stories of goodness that help unite people by creating a sense of common identity, purpose and values, we see unscrupulous public and social media focus shamelessly on sharing exaggerated hate and negativity to instil differences, disorient minds, divide people, and spread animosity in society.
Despite the unscrupulousness of media world that focuses more on misery, by sharing such stories of unsung heroes we can help highlight the true good that is naturally innate in humans. Such examples remind us that heroism isn’t confined to extraordinary circumstances but is core to daily life and shows up through small and impactful actions.
Recounting such everyday-hero stories can collectively help inspire and remind our world that Captain Sully’s brave feat is ‘not an isolated exception’, but superhero qualities are innate in each. Such heroes suddenly emerge when need arises unexpectedly, showing how ordinary people achieve extraordinary things.
I am sharing below one such lesser known story of Capt. Tadeusz Wrona, a veteran Polish pilot at LOT, the Polish airline, and his first officer Jerzy Szwarc, who together piloted a LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 767 from Newark, United States, to Warsaw, Poland, on November 1, 2011. Unbeknownst to these two gents, they were suddenly faced with the need to make an emergency landing at Warsaw Airport, after its landing gear failed to extend. Thanks to their brave and resourceful response to the crisis, all 231 aboard survived without serious injuries.
The video below shares the real time account of how SUPERHERO qualities emerged so spontaneously in them, when faced with such an unexpected existential threat situation.
Please click below to view the short clip…!
