Heroism

[xman]

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

[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

[Kentriv]

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

[custommartini]

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

[FiReSTaRT]

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.

[steve]

Simply incredible. Truly a hero in my book.

[ohlookaneagle]

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

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

[xman]

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

[FiReSTaRT]

Pickled? She should be bursting with pride. In any case I'm glad to hear the news and I hope the graft takes and they can fly themselves home soon

[xman]

I just got asked for an update by Mark so I figured I'd share it with you all in case anybody else is interested.

I sent Greg a link to this string so he knows how much you all care for their health and wellbeing. He's not talking about what happened to them due to PTS and who could blame him. One day, perhapse he'll grace me with the details, but I'm not gonna pressure him.

Gemma's first skin graft on her left leg didn't take so they had to put her back in the hospital for a second go 'round. it was a good thing too because she got some kinda feaver and infection which the doctor managed to catch early. They're hoping Gemma's second skin graft will heal enough that she can start to walk again in about another week and they can fly back to Oz for a while. Not hearing about any of her other wounds is good new I gather. If they're not bad enough to mention, it's a good sign.

Their spirits are good and the main problem seems to be boredom. Greg bought a new camera to keep them busy, but he's been instructed not to take pictures of Gemma without a head scarf on. They had to shave her hair a bit in the front, I gather. Probably for stitches.

Thanks for asking Mark.

X