Modern Day Hero

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Brittney Wells Professor C. D. Rankin ENGL101 January 23, 2010 Modern Day Hero We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are— One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. — (Ulysses 1842) What is the definition of a modern day hero? Does he need special powers, or is he just an average person walking down the street? “We define heroes as people who have contributed to the well being of others—in an emotional or spiritual sense—as well as to the health of the planet. “(Monahan, 2003, p.10) A hero is someone who above all odds created such a big impact that the outcome of his actions not only touched those around him but people around the world. Hence, a hero is not the action figure on magazines and television but the everyday person who demonstrates survivorship, courage and perseverance while finding a meaning in life to make an impact. Lance Armstrong exemplifies what a modern day hero looks like. His life is a story of battle against testicular cancer, the struggle to follow his passion and his subsequent journey of self-discovery, triumph and impact to the world around him. At the age of 25, Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with a stage three testicular cancer that had spread to his brain and lungs. Above all odds and a 40% chance of survival, his decision to live was greater then the illness his body had contracted. Armstrong had an orchiectomy to remove his diseased testicle and a subsequent form of chemotherapy to save his life and also his passion of cycling. It was his will and desire to live life and his perseverance that made him beat the odds of cancer and goes back to his life as a cyclist. Amid his cancer, he has won an unprecedented seven consecutive Tour de France cycling titles from 1999 through 2005.

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