In one's life i don't believe they set out to be a hero.
When they go through life the hero role picks them through there actions. To be a real life hero one needs to have many traits that most humans have but don't know how to put them to use.

Over coming life's hurdles and coming out ahead can be a competition some times. It can make you a better human being or in others eyes it can make you a real life hero. When life happened to my hero he did not fall down, he used it as a stepping stone.

Respect is defined as a feeling of deep admiration for someone by their abilities, qualities, and achievements. I have respect for my hero for these same reasons. My hero has the ability to show respect to people when those people don't respect themselves. When I first came into contact with my hero he showed me how to respect myself.

My hero has many strong abilities, he can listen to someone and give good advice for their situation.
He has real life experiences that give him insight into peoples lives and knows what to do.

I feel in life to get respect you have to give it. My hero has shown me a great deal of respect.

In the dictionary 'Love is a strong affection for or attachment or devotion to a person or persons'. I see this as a strong quility for a hero to have.

To be able to love some one when they dont have the capacity to love themselves, or the know how.
My hero has this trait, and has taught me. He has also taught me to love myself.

This is my living hero John Roberts. He is an out patient counselor at Willamette Family Treatment Center, in Eugene Oregon. He also helps run a non profit organization called Stone River Community.
He runs a native american A.A group called Wellbriety. It is the native American red road to recovery.
I have known John for almost two years, he has been an inspiration to me through many rough times in my life, and a very dear friend. I have went to him for a lot of advice about life. He has always shown me a very high level of respect, and love. He has shared his own life experiences with me, to help me in a positive direction in life.

John was sent to Federal prison some years back. He did not spend his time there feeling sorry for himself. He used it as a positive influence in his life, and decided on a direction, and moved that way.
Mr. Roberts decided he wanted to help people, especially people with the disease of addiction.

John had to suffered from this disease, and over came it. He wanted to share his experience, strength and hope with others.

You see we as addicts have a choice, we can continue on our path of destruction. Which will get us jails, institutions, or death.
This path not only hurts us but our families, friends, and society as a whole.
My hero chose another path, he chose to live, and to be a great man. He has chosen a path in life which through his past mistakes is an example of how one can over come this disease, and lead a better life.

When I came into treatment I was not a good person. I had many character defects that made me a bad human being. I was an addict that did not care about anyone including myself. John did not judge me by these defects, he said " I know there is a good person in there we just have to find him'. He asked me about my past and I told him and did not lie, in one's addiction one does some bad things, but i was not judged on my past. I was judge on the man Ihave become.

Like I said prior I did not love anything or anyone when I came to treatment. John showed me love when I as a person was not capable of it, he showed me how to care about others.
Most importantly my self, at some point we became more then just teacher, and patient we became friends. I consider Mr. Roberts a close personal friend, he is wise beyond his years.

Faith is important, especially in recovery. John is very involved in the Native American road to recovery. I have been to many sweat lodges and observed many traditions at Johns home. It has helped me tremendously in my recovery. It has helped me to see there is a higher power other then myself.

Commitment is also a very important trait in my hero. In the beginning of my treatment with John he committed to helping me, at first I was skeptical.
He has kept his promise to me above and beyond that. I graduated from out patient many months ago, but he and I stay in constant contact. I talk to him or see him weekly just to talk, or ask advice. His door is always open and he welcomes me. He shows me respect, love and commitment still to this day. He is a great man in my eyes.

I want to thank Mr. Roberts from the bottom of my heart " you helped me live again". I am in you debt you are my living hero thank you.