Grey Davis

My hero is Grey Davis, my son. Grey does not think of himself as a hero at all. The heroic quality of "compassion" is such a part of him that he doesn't have to try to show compassion. It just happens. I am so proud that my son, Grey, sees each person for the person he is, regardless of physical or mental handicap. He told me a story that moved me.

Grey majored in Leisure Studies with a Recreation degree. While preparing for his degree, he learned skills for rock climbing, ropes courses, kayaking, and other physical activities. While at college, he shared with me his experience of working with paraplegic men in the college indoor pool to help them build confidence to kayak. He told me how some of the guys were not so sure that they wanted to try it until they saw the others having fun. As he told his story I could tell that Grey experienced joy and satisfaction from seeing these men enjoy their lives again.

This is just one of several stories that my son has shared with me about people who are handicapped and how he has worked with them to help them experience the joy of doing something fun that they didn't think they could do. Grey would not like to think I was writing about him as a hero, because he helps other people naturally. If I tell him I am proud of him and of what he's doing, he says, "Mom, it's just my job." Those who know Grey know he is a person who is blessed with great compassion for others and that he really is an everyday hero, one of those people in life who touches others in his daily work. I love him so much and am so proud that others can see his actions as worth imitating.