Heroes Rock

There are heroes all around us. Specifically, heroes with disabilities. Too bad we can’t always tell them so.

Long has it been somewhat of a faux pas to admire someone with a disability just because… well, just because they are living with a disability. And to tag them with a gratuitous character statement of “courageous” along with the hero status is not good either in the spheres of political correctness. Too bad about that too.

For someone with a physical challenge, like an amputation or paralysis, to take on a physical challenge like skiing or even ballroom dancing for that matter, can be courageous and in my mind downright heroic at times. It’s an able-bodied world, and we’re taking on the challenge to adapt to it. Believe me, I know. I play recreational soccer and while my teammates are doffing their work boots or Armani suits in our game-night locker room, I’m the guy stripping off his arms and hanging them up on the community hooks. Takes some courage sometimes, especially among fresh faces.

The DT Network is full of stories of awfully courageous people – not because of the incredible things they’ve accomplished despite their disability, but because they’ve taken the steps to leave what’s easier and more comfortable behind and taken on what’s hard.

Several summers ago I met a long-time hero of mine… someone who had a tremendous influence on me as a teenager some 30 years ago, not long after I became an amputee, and he a paraplegic. Until then, we had never met. I had seen him just once, briefly, from about 250 feet away. But in those 10 minutes Charlie Allen Martin inspired me like no other.

I cheered for him as he self-assuredly wheeled out on stage to perform one song for 20,000 charged Bob Seger fans in his hometown Detroit. He was a member of Seger’s signature Silver Bullet Band before his injury compromised his ability to back the band as its drummer.

Charlie was still a rock star that was for sure. I couldn’t imagine the courage that it must have taken to be a rock star who entertained from a wheelchair. He left what was easy – giving up on his passion – and did what was hard ­– pursuing his passion. I’m proud to share his remarkable story with you in the Active Living magazine channel (Resources - Charles in Charge) here in the DT Network. Charles rocks! He’s a hero to me and I told him so.

Jeff Tiessen, Executive Producer