Athletes are role models, not heroes
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It's frequently used when it comes to professional athletes. The truth is, athletes shouldn't be considered heroes.
Athletes could be considered role models. Then again, Hall of Famer and NBA television analyst Charles Barkley went on record saying athletes shouldn't be role models. Parents should be role models.
With all that said, my role model and hero is John Marsco, who will be 42 in two weeks.
John is a longtime friend. He married one of my dear friends from Warren G. Harding High School, the former Debbie Zambelli.
John is one of those guys who loves to talk sports. Like me, he grew up memorizing lineups, batting averages, home and away uniform colors of our favorites teams and anything and everything sports related.
The only thing I despise about John (the only thing) is the fact that he is the ultimate Michigan fan.
So are his 11-year-old son, Chris, an amazing kid who is just like his dad, and his 7-year-old daughter, Lisa.
The Marsco family got a chance last week to watch the Cavaliers dismantle the Philadelphia 76ers at Quicken Loans Arena.
Debbie told me Chris also was a big Cavs and James fan and asked if I would be willing to speak to his fifth-grade class at Cortland Elementary, near my hometown of Warren.
I enjoy speaking to middle- and high-school students about LeBron James and the importance of education.
The kids in Mrs. Kristina Denman's class were awesome.
At the end of my visit, Debbie asked if I had time to see John. They live a few minutes from the school.
Of course, I agreed. As we pulled into their driveway, I noticed a wheelchair ramp leading to the home's front door.
We walked into the house. John was there, happy as a kid on Christmas to see me.
John lay in a hospital bed in his living room. He couldn't move any parts of his body except his head and arms.
Two years ago, John was diagnosed with epithelioid sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that attacks bones and soft tissue.
The disease is terminal. John receives hospice care.
In late February, John was able to walk. He and Debbie decided they wanted to buy a 42-inch TV.
``That was a small investment,'' said Debbie, who is a younger version of Marion Cunningham from Happy Days. That's how sweet she is.
``We decided we wanted to buy a nice TV so we could watch Michigan during the football season.''
Debbie explained that after they purchased the TV and returned home, ready to assemble the television stand, John walked toward some steps that led upstairs to the bedrooms.
``Deb, I'm trying to lift my leg up. I can feel everything, but it won't move,'' John said.
A few days later, doctors discovered John had tumors in his back that eventually paralyzed him from the waist down.
He hasn't taken another step since and probably never will.
The ordeal has changed his life and the lives of his family and friends forever. But with everything that has happened to him, John still feels blessed.
``David, you know what? Every time I see those little legs come down those steps, every day is a miracle for me.''
That's why John, Debbie, Chris and Lisa are my heroes.
Messages for David Lee Morgan Jr. can be left at 330-996-3824 or dlmorgan@thebeaconjournal.com . '); '); '); '); } '); NewsThis is cache, read story here