Thread: Heroism

I don't have adequate details to satisfy comprehension let alone curiosity, but this is what I know:

My close personal friend Greg's Australian partner, Gemma works for her government having achieved diplomatic status. Recently she was honoured with her first oversees appointment at the Australian embassy in Zimbabwe, Greg attending as her spouse.

I have learned that, while touring a game park, they were attacked by lions and Gemma has received grievous injuries. She is alive today because Greg lead the fight, bare handed, against the four predators to free Gemma. He also administered first aid helping ensure her survival until medical attention could be found.

Gemma lies now in intensive care in Pretoria, South Africa where Greg is at her bedside hourly. She is lucky not only to have received no vital organ, arterial or skeletal damage, but to have a mate who risked everything, literally staring into the jaws of death to save her life.

She has had two operations so far and more are certain for the future. The doctors say her injuries are no longer life threatening, but I gather there is still some recovery to be made before she is completely out of the woods. I know Gemma since she practically lived with Greg and I throughout one summer and I am, quite frankly, worried sick for her physical and psychological well being; dumbfounded at the scope of what they have experienced and what they continue to go through.

It has been remarked that 'a hero is someone who is too stupid to know better', or 'heroes aren't made their cornered', and many other such easily quoteable catch phrases which are true to one extent or another in their way, but however you want to look at it, at the end of the day, Greg is the bravest man I know.

X

Incredible story!!
none of us have any idea how we would react in such a situation. many of us even spout our opinions and beliefs about such a situation without the slightest understanding of what we are talking about because most of us, thank God, have never had to deal with a life or death situation. until we ourselves come upon that moment of truth we have no idea what we are made of.
Your friend has come upon that moment of truth for himself and proven himself to be made of the stuff of heroes!!


My prayers go with you and your friends

Even though I have been in a life or death situation, and feel that I was able to react with cool and calm thinking, I can still not even begin to imagine what went on in your friends mind. It is one think to have to call 911 when a family member is under threat of death, it is completely different to be the only life line that a person has. I can not even begin to imagine fighting off a wild animal to save a spouse. You friend truly has the stuff of heroes. I will keep them in my prayers.

Matt

Wow X, he sure sounds like some man. Thank you for sharing your friend's story. It is very inspiring.

That really is a stunning (in the literal meaning of the word) story. I hope you'll add the community's wishes for a speedy recovery to your own.

Simply incredible. Truly a hero in my book.

Thank you for sharing that X! Adrenalin is such an amazing substance when it kicks in... enhancing one's strength, speed, and powers of reasoning. Doubly fortunate, they had some luck to accompany it!! Please wish them both a speedy recovery and may their emotional scars heal just as quickly as their physical ones.

WOW Now that is one hell of a fellow and a special husband.

Whoa. That’s amazing. My prayers go with them for a speedy recovery.

Originally Posted by JMS

Incredible story!!
none of us have any idea how we would react in such a situation. many of us even spout our opinions and beliefs about such a situation without the slightest understanding of what we are talking about because most of us, thank God, have never had to deal with a life or death situation. until we ourselves come upon that moment of truth we have no idea what we are made of.
Your friend has come upon that moment of truth for himself and proven himself to be made of the stuff of heroes!!


My prayers go with you and your friends

Couldn't have said it better myself, really.
-Michael

Just got word from Greg & Gemma. She's out of the hospital and they're in the hotel till the doctor says she can fly. Sounds like the skin grafting on her leg needs to be watched, but I'm relieved to report that she's in very good spirits and pickled that her man punched a lion in face.

I'll be sure to link them here so that they can read your praise and support for themselves. I hope it will help keep them in strong spirits.

X