Who's a hero? This guy.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/man-paralyzed-diving-creek-save-girl-235043884.html

When Michael Patterson saw a young girl struggling to stay above water in a creek in Rome, Georgia, on June 8, he dove in to save her. Patterson was gravely injured in the course of his heroics, WSB-TV reports.

The girl, 4-year-old Javea, was able to be resuscitated. But Patterson became paralyzed from the chest down during the dive.

Carlissa Jones, Javea's mother, described Patterson's brave but tragic dive. From WSB-TV.com:

"He jumped in head first and after I grabbed her, I looked back and he was floating on top of the water," Jones said.

Though the water in the river was moving fast, the stream bed was very shallow and rocky. Patterson broke his neck the moment he hit the water.

Ambulance workers rushed Patterson to the hospital where he continues to rest in the intensive care unit.

WSB-TV spoke with Patterson's mother, Vicki Jones, who says her son is struggling to understand the level of his injuries. Her son, who works in construction, does not have health insurance.

Patterson's dive marked the second time in as many weeks that he stepped in to save a life, according to The Cedartown Standard. Two weeks ago, Patterson and another man pulled a truck driver from his cab after it had been hit and caught fire.

"He said he did what he thought, what he hoped anyone else would have done for him. That's not a very common thing anymore, for anyone to care about someone they don't know," his mother told WSB-TV.com

Friends of Patterson have set up a fund at a local bank. Supporters also created a Facebook page with updates about Patterson's condition.

..

 

Please! Jesus Lord!, heal this man!


"We are begging for prayers at this time for Mike and his family. We believe in the power of prayer. Mike had a very hard night and has some huge hurdles that we had hoped were behind us. Trying to find the right medically sensitive words appropriate for Facebook audiences while choking back years and begging for mercy seems an impossible task at this very moment. Mike is back on the ventilator, in a medically induced coma, and has pneumonia in both lungs. His sweet mom is sitting by his bed, holding his hand and praying for a miracle and that he is in no pain right now. His family asks that we raise him up in prayer. We will update with any changes but please know that his family is drawing so much strength from our supporters here on this Facebook page."

https://www.facebook.com/Friendsofmikepatterson

Thank YOU! God and Mike! for saving the young girl! She LIVES on because of YOU! :heart:

 

Amen!

 

It is so beautiful to me that their goal is $25,000, and they are at $23,000 in ONE DAY! The messages I am reading on there make my heart sing! :smt049

This man is a true hero! He has no health insurance, a new baby, just got a new job.. I had to donate. There, but for God's Grace, go we....

 

thats horrible it happen to him. I hope people will contribute to his hospital bills

 

I can only shake my head to this. well

 

Love these comments! <333333333

Tammy Dean
6 hours ago

You are the true meaning of what God wants us to be like on a daily bases. Thank you for all that you have done. You are AWESOME!!!! GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU SAFE!!!


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Jayden Thomas
6 mins ago

Man, good luck. I have a 10yr old and what you did touched my heart. I don't have a lot on money, but any little bit helps. We need more people like you !!!!


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Tracy Meyn
6 hours ago

A brilliant example of what it means to Love Out Loud! The world needs more heroes like you, Mike!

 

Heartbreaking update:

This was in my Inbox....

*****
Hi,
Tonya has posted a new update message to "Friends of Mike Patterson Trust"

Good Samaritan Mike Patterson Succumbed to His Injuries Early This Morning - Mike Patterson Passed With Family By His Side

by Friends Of Mike Patterson (Notes) on Friday, June 28, 2013 at 1:21am

ROME, GEORGIA USA. It is with great regret and sorrow we announce that good Samaritan, Mike Patterson, passed away early this morning, as confirmed by Brian Meadows, Mikes brother.

On June 8, 2013, Mike Patterson, age 43, severed his spinal cord after he dove into Euharlee Creek in Rockmart, Georgia to save a stranger's child from drowning. Mike was left paralyzed by his effort, and Mikes own son, age 9, witnessed the accident from the shoreline.

Since the accident, Mike has been in an intensive care unit in a Rome, Georgia hospital. In addition to paralysis, he has battled respiratory acidosis, pneumonia, a bacterial infection and a blood clot. With friends and family by his side daily-- and more than 60,000 people sending prayers, messages of hope and support through social media sites globally-- Mike fought hard for 20 days trying to overcome medical challenges.

After a valiant battle, Mike succumbed to his injuries and related complications early this morning. Mikes family was by his side at the time of his death.

Mikes spirit and selfless actions inspired tens of thousands who sent cards, letters and emails and engaged in posts at the Friends of Mike Patterson Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Friendsofmikepatterson). His life and the lives of others are forever changed by his courageous, split-second decision to save anothers life. Mikes tragic story made news headlines around the globe. His heroic act stirred an outpouring of emotion and a desire to help Mike in his time of need. His caring nature will forever be honored.

At this time, funeral or any other arrangements are not known. The Friends of Mike Patterson Trust will post additional information as it becomes available. Please keep Mike's family and friends in your prayers.



****
Thank you Mike, you gave your life so Javea Jones could have hers. Your young son witnessed you save a life... that is the most incredible memory for him. His father is a hero!
4-yr-old Javea might not understand today why she is alive today, but her guardian Angel will no doubt keep watch over her. <3

R.I.P Mike Patterson

 

This is too sad for words.

 

Yes it is ^ ^

They raised over $90,000 in 16 days for his costs. I hope they're forgiven and the donation money instead is put towards helping raise his son. Mike was also in the process of a divorce at the time.
(God, please watch over his family.)

 

They released this tribute pic...



....................................forever bonded.......................

 

Prayers

 

This is precious. :heart:

 

How did you donate? Is this "GoFundMe" page safe? I don't want to put my information on a page and find out later it's fraud.
I would love to donate though. We need more every day heroes like him!

 

I had no problems. (or since then - very legit)

I did a thorough check of it through several reputable sources and it's considered "100% safe."

You do not have to put your name, they ask you if you would like to display it or not. You can even leave a message without your name.

It was very simple and it's been in business for years for people to raise money.

Hope this helped ease your concerns.

 

Yes it did. Thanks :freehug:

 

Found this in my INBOX this evening....

Final Update from Tonya...

====================

*What I love about this final letter, is that even though they didn't reach their goal, they still determined that enough was enough for his son, despite donations still coming in. That shows me where their heart truly lay. Heroic act before, honorable until the end, and honorable friends after. :heart:

 

This was great to read!

I'm sure Mike left this earth never knowing the impact his life had. But those he left behind will feel it for years to come.

 

Different guy, same heroism.

Yes, soldiers train for this, and yes, there is the "no soldier left behind" philosophy. But this guy truly deserves his medal.


http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57603788/medal-of-honor-recipient-shows-bravery-tenderness/

September 19, 2013 7:59\

Just this week, the White House announced that Army Capt. Will Swenson would receive the Medal of Honor for his actions in one of the most hard-fought battles of the Afghan war - in Ganjgal Valley in Kunar Province on Sept. 8, 2009.

Five Americans were killed that day. Two others -- Swenson and Marine Corp. Dakota Meyer -- would receive the Medal of Honor.

Now, more than four years after the battle, an extraordinary video has come to light which shows Swenson in action. This is not a recreation. It's the real thing.

Army Capt. Will Swenson helps his wounded sergeant to a medevac helicopter
/ CBS Swenson is the one without a helmet, while bullets flew all around.

"Everybody was taking fire," said Sgt. Kevin Duerst of the California National Guard, the crew chief of a medevac helicopter that flew into the valley. "The whole valley was just a giant ambush. It was crazy."

Both he and the pilot recorded the battle with cameras attached to their helmets, producing the dramatic video.

Duerst first spotted Swenson from the air.

"We saw him because he lay down with a panel marker," he said. "It's a bright orange panel. He was laying on his back and it was on his chest so we could see him."

That panel also made him an easier target for the enemy shooting down from three sides.

Sgt. First Class Kenneth Westbrook had been hit in the throat and was bleeding to death. Swenson and a medic helped Westbrook to the helicopter. Then, amid the hell of combat, something beautiful happened.

"Sgt. Westbrook kind of leaned down and Capt. Swenson kind of leaned down and they had, they kind of looked at each other and it appeared that they were talking, but Capt. Swenson kissed him on the forehead and then tapped the side of his head," Duerst said.

Stop the action and you can see it clearly.

Sgt. Kevin Duerst recorded the battle. "It was the brotherhood," Duerst said. "It was your buddy is getting put onto a medevac helicopter and you're going to have to wait to see him for a couple hours. He's going to go back to the hospital and when you're done with your battle, then you'll see him."

But Swenson never saw Westbrook again. The medevac got him to a field hospital in time for a life-saving transfusion, but 29 days later he died of complications.

"This guy had four broken ribs, a punctured lung, a shattered left shoulder," said Westbrook's widow, Charlene Westbrook. "He had a shot on his neck which went through his aorta so he was bleeding pretty heavily."

She did not see this video of her husband's final battle -- did not even know it existed -- until the medevac crew presented it to her this spring.

"The first time I watched it was so emotional and I just, I cried," she said. "It was the hardest thing to watch."

After loading Westbrook aboard the medevac, Swenson went back into the battle. When Deurst and his medevac team returned to pick up more casualties, they found Swenson further up the valley, even more exposed to enemy fire, aiding wounded Afghan soldiers and searching for four missing Americans.

"He did things that nobody else would ever do and he did it for his guys and for everybody on the ground, to get them out," Duerst said.

Duerst's medevac left before Swenson performed his final act of courage -- going forward under fire to recover the bodies of those four missing Americans.

The army's official account makes no mention of the kiss Swenson gave his doomed sergeant. But that one act explains everything about why soldiers fight. They fight for each other.

 

^^Absolute heroism. I got chills when I read what the widow said about the video. I'd never be strong enough to watch my husbands final battle...I simply wouldn't make it through to the end, knowing the outcome.

Such a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing. :heart::smt049