You may have seen the remarkable story of Brendan Marrocco, a soldier who served in Iraq, and came back home as a quadruple amputee. Brendan is the first army quadruple amputee to survive his ordeal. Since his injury three years ago, others have been similarly injured and survived.
Brendan Marrocco has an amazing story. He is an example of the power of optimism and the motivation to work hard.
On Easter Sunday, 2009, Brendan and his best friend Michael Anaya were driving in Iraq when their military vehicle tripped a roadside bomb. Michael was killed immediately and Brendan’s arms and legs were blown off. The carotid artery in his neck was severed. He told CBS News: “That alone should have killed me.”
Instead, he hardly bled at all. The bomb blast was so hot that it instantly cauterized his wounds.
For the last three years, Brendan has undergone therapy.
Six weeks ago he underwent a thirteen hour operation by a team of surgeons to give him arms from an anonymous organ donor. I watched with amazement yesterday as he moved his left arm and scratched his nose.
Though he lost both arms and legs, Brendan talked about the importance of arms. Arms even help you express your personality.
Not long after his injury, he said: “I’m the first quad amputee ever to survive. I just want to keep progressing, keep going and doing more stuff. I don’t want to live a life where I just sit and do nothing with my life.”
Brendan’s lead surgeon said that Brendan’s “motivation to work hard and optimism” make him an ideal candidate to thrive with this operation.
Yesterday, I wrote of the story of Admiral Nimitz and his outlook helping America after the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor. You can read that story here.
Optimism, hard work, a can-do attitude, and an unwillingness to give up should be traits demonstrated by believers. These attitudes help other people who are struggling with life. When we do our best, we help others handle their own difficulties. The good thing is we don’t have to depend on ourselves. We have Christ to live through us.
Remember, Paul was in prison when he affirmed he could do all things through Christ who gave him strength.
When life is tough, Paul–and Brendan Marrocco–encourage me.
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7 Responses
Indeed, apart from Him I can do nothing, I am nothing. But because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Thanks, brenda
Indeed, apart from good support from others who care, one gets nothing done.
Romans 12:5
Blessings
Thanks- I needed that! These next few weeks will be a challenge for John and I. Don’t know what I would do without you and Martha!
Good morning BrendanI am wknriog as a Supporting Actor with one payslip away from joining Equity. I am starting at the bottom but as soon as I get the card’ I will be looking for small parts to start with. I know with SA its what is asked for but what annoys me is that after joining the Agency, how when I go on an assignment, people have not joined or signed a contract and paid to have photo’s done and yet they get constant work and I have done this thinking I would not get work. Not only is it unfair, but puts me in a position where I feel if I complain, I will be putting myself in a bad position which is why I have not. I have read your book which is great and I noticed that I have already do the some of things you talk about naturally. Thank you for that xx I am not yet an Actor and have only gained the B-Tec National with 16 Distinctions, 8 Merits and one pass. I have not been in a position to take up the work until now some time after my B-tec. I joined a local theatre and was totally ingnored as they are a click’ even after reading for every play, wknriog as a lighting tech, painting sceans etc. I gave it my best and currently looking for another theatre to join. (Brush myself off and start again)! I live outside of London but was about to join an Agency there as well as where I live, but at this time, its the cost. The reason for this is how to get work on other projects like Downtown Abby etc. I know I have probably answered my own questions but it is good to talk. With kindest regardsThe old fossil
Does any one know a more ‘upbeat’ tune that this will fit too please. It’s set tune is so tied to thoughts of Remembrance Sunday and can be quite reflective. I am looking to use it as the last hymn on a service around the theme of hope.
But was Kazmir’s downfall the only reason why Tampa Bay was eager to ship a franchise cornerstone to the other coast? Not according to a report revealed yesterday by Cork Gaines of Rays Index.
I never think I have enough time, and then throw in a ten month old and anything that even resembles a plan gets thrown out the window.