Linda Bergendahl-Pauling

Linda Bergendahl-Pauling was married and had one child, Chris. When Chris was about seven and half years old he passed away due to Leukemia. Linda then divorced her husband and her life fell apart. This tragedy is what led her to becoming the hero I see her as today.

(http://site.wish.org/assets/images/logos/Make-A-Wi (Unknown))

Linda Bergendahl-Pauling is the creator of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a volunteer and donor based organization that grants a child diagnosed with a life threatening sickness their biggest dream. She is hero because she took her tragedy and used it to help others through theirs. Linda changed the world around her for the better by giving children their final wish right before they pass away. She gives the parents of the children some closure on the tragedy and helps them know that their child passed away but got to do what they truly wished for. You may not be able to see the effects of Linda's work in your everyday life but it is all over the news sometimes and if you go ask one of those parents you will see the biggest effect of all, the parents have accepted the tragedy and their life has changed. The overall world wouldn't be that different if she hadn't created this foundation but I know that those families would never be the same if their child never got to do what they dreamed of.

Why would anyone choose someone so unknown as their hero? I chose Linda as my hero because I have seen so many of the miracles she has made happened on the news, but yet every time I am stunned by how much she changed that child's life. Linda was selected over all the other heroes because nobody else I have heard of has made so many changes because of what happened in their own personal life. Ms. Pauling hasn't directly affected my life but she has affected and changed so many other lives for the better. To me Linda is not considered a life saver but a life changer. She takes a child who doesn't have much life left and lets them experience what they have wanted to do for their whole life for free. Ruth Casey's quote, "It only takes one person to change your life . . . you" immediately reminded me of Linda because she has been that one person who changes life. Linda Bergendahl-Pauling is an inspirational, unforgettable, selfless, and compassionate hero.