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Boy Defends Blind Classmate From Bullies - Instead of Applauding Him, He Is Nearly Suspended
Everyday Heroes

Boy Defends Blind Classmate From Bullies - Instead of Applauding Him, He Is Nearly Suspended

Cody Pine, a student who defended a visually impaired boy against a bully, faced potential backlash from his school for stepping in, which prompted an outpouring of support worldwide.Shocking Sight It was lunchtime at Huntington Beach High School when footage captured a visually impaired child being bullied and assaulted by another student. Fellow classmate Grant Morels gave KCAL9 saw it all unfold. "I saw like a half-circle around a group of kids and I wanted to see what was up. I see this kid like getting wailed on by another kid."- Grant Morels, Huntington Beach High School studentA Jarring SaveSuddenly, Grant's step-brother Cody swooped in and knocked the bully down with a single punch. He then hovered above him asking why he was 'jumping a blind kid.'Shortly afterwards, police arrived and arrested the bully for misdemeanour battery and released him to his parents. Meanwhile, the student who intervened was free to go, but wasn't off the hook. Despite the footage and witnesses, the school said it would still investigate Cody's actions, citing their 'zero-tolerance' policy on violence. “The school is now responding to this isolated incident by interviewing students and witnesses to determine exactly what happened," the district said in its statement.A Hero's WelcomeThe incident sparked an online petition that has gathered nearly 80,000 responses. The petition stated that "while violence is never the best option what Cody did to defend his friend and classmate was justified."Commenters flooded the site with words of support.Said one: "The hero did the right thing. Don't punish a kid for doing the right thing!!!!""Great job! Our future is in good hands because of young men such as yourself."- Jeff Smith, petitioner"The day you punish people who protect the helpless is the day you've lost humanity. Don't be STUPID!" protested another. Celebrate HeroesHuntington Beach student Maya Jensen applauded Cody's courage. "A lot of people are calling him a hero and I would as well for stepping in when no one else did and decide to just film it instead."- Maya Jensen, Huntington Beach High School studentIt's often hard to do the right thing, especially when everyone else is standing by. Courage comes with risks of harm or even job loss. However, Cody decided that the biggest risk was standing by as a helpless friend was being abused. And while violence should never be celebrated, his acting to do what's right should. More from Goalcast:Bullied Boy Loses Hope After a Priceless Gift From His Grandmother Is Stolen – But His Best Friends Feel OtherwiseBullies Target 7-Year-Old in Horrific Hate Crime – Little Did They Know 20 Bikers Would Show Up at Their SchoolMiddle School Student Sees Classmate Getting Bullied For Having Old Shoes — Uses Allowance to Buy Him New Pair

Boy Gets Nearly Suspended For Defending Blind Classmate, Thousands Rally In Outrage
Everyday Heroes

Boy Gets Nearly Suspended For Defending Blind Classmate, Thousands Rally In Outrage

Cody Pine, a student who defended a visually impaired boy against a bully, faced potential backlash from his school for stepping in, which prompted an outpouring of support worldwide.Shocking sight It was lunchtime at Huntington Beach High School when footage captured a visually impaired child being bullied and assaulted by another student. Fellow classmate Grant Morels gave KCAL9 saw it all unfold. "I saw like a half-circle around a group of kids and I wanted to see what was up. I see this kid like getting wailed on by another kid."- Grant Morels, Huntington Beach High School studentA jarring saveSuddenly, Grant's step-brother Cody swooped in and knocked the bully down with a single punch. He then hovered above him asking why he was 'jumping a blind kid.'Shortly afterwards, police arrived and arrested the bully for misdemeanour battery and released him to his parents. Meanwhile, the student who intervened was free to go, but wasn't off the hook. Despite the footage and witnesses, the school said it would still investigate Cody's actions, citing their 'zero-tolerance' policy on violence. “The school is now responding to this isolated incident by interviewing students and witnesses to determine exactly what happened," the district said in its statement.A hero's welcomeThe incident sparked an online petition that has gathered nearly 80,000 responses. The petition stated that 'while violence is never the best option what Cody did to defend his friend and classmate was justified."Commenters flooded the site with words of support.Said one: 'The hero did the right thing. Don't punish a kid for doing the right thing!!!!'"Great job! Our future is in good hands because of young men such as yourself."- Jeff Smith, pettioner'The day you punish people who protect the helpless is the day you've lost humanity. Don't be STUPID!' protested another. Celebrate heroesHuntington Beach student Maya Jensen applauded Cody's courage. "A lot of people are calling him a hero and I would as well for stepping in when no one else did and decide to just film it instead."- Maya Jensen, Huntington Beach High School studentIt's often hard to do the right thing, especially when everyone else is standing by. Courage comes with risks of harm or even job loss. However, Cody decided that the biggest risk was standing by as a helpless friend was being abused. And while violence should never be celebrated, his acting to do what's right should. For more uplifting news:4 Years Ago, He Was Homeless–Today, He Bought His First HousePoor Man Who Missed Job Interview To Save A Life Had Employers Lining Up To Hire HimDomestic Abuse Survivor Marries The First Responder Who Saved Her LifeBrooklyn Landlord Cancels Rent For Hundreds Of Tenants, Setting An Unprecedented Example For Others

Woman Cruelly Teased By Bullies For Her Appearance Gets The Last Laugh
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Woman Cruelly Teased By Bullies For Her Appearance Gets The Last Laugh

As a young girl in Melbourne, Australia, Diane Frick tells the Daily Mail that she was cruelly picked on."I was always a chubby kid and was bullied my entire childhood. The bullies in school made my life hell and I'd get called fat and ugly every day."Bullies frequently called her 'piggy' and said she had pimply skin, frizzy hair and bad clothes.The torment didn't stop there. "They made songs about me and would sing that I was ‘fat to the bone’ to the tune of ‘bad to the bone’,” she recalls. The emotional scars stayed far after she graduated, and although she wasn’t "massively overweight," she was eating poorly and didn’t exercise, leaving her sluggish and depressed. Flexing back Ironically, Frick's turning point occurred on the couch. "I remember I was sick on the couch in late 2018 with the flu and feeling sorry for myself, when I started Googling all the girls I wanted to look like," she recalls. Frick noticed a pattern: They were all bodybuilding competitors. With that, she found a coach who prepped bikini models.She overhauled her diet, cutting out junk food and alcohol, and took up weight training. The changes paid off, as she dropped three dress sizes and trimmed from 34.7% body fat to 12%.As her body transformed and confidence soared, Frick took on a bold new challenge: Entering an Australian INBA (International Natural Bodybuilding Association) event. Frick said that just entering the competition was a win in itself. So for that bullied girl to transform, not only physically but mentally, and be able to stand on stage in a bikini and ask professionals to judge her body is massive.Diane Frick However, when the smoke cleared, Frick was a winner in title too, crowned INBA bikini champion.For someone who spent most of her life hating the person she saw in the mirror, it was surreal. “I never imagined I could be proud of my body. I would always wear clothes that covered everything and was so hateful and ashamed of myself."Use adversity as fuelSince winning her crown, Frick uses her platform to shed light on the effects of bullying, and also to inspire others to use it as fuel.It's true that sometimes you need to be destroyed to rebuild stronger. I'll never forget the way I was treated but it has definitely made me a resilient person.Diane Frick There's no question that bullying is cruel, and it's hard to fathom the suffering that Diane Frick went through.However, there's also a powerful message to her story. Hate and ignorance will be around as long as we're alive. Frick reminds us that we can use those moments to sharpen our focus and determination towards becoming an unstoppable force. More uplifting news:Woman Abruptly Dumped By Fiancé For Being Overweight Gets Ultimate RevengeWoman Brutally Dumped For Being Overweight Gets The Last LaughDomestic Abuse Survivor Marries The First Responder Who Saved Her LifeAbandoned In Dumpster As Baby, He Vows To Make Adoptive Dad Proud – Now He’s A Millionaire

Sole Shipwreck Survivor Finds Men Who Saved Her Life As A Child - 35 Years Later
Everyday Heroes

Sole Shipwreck Survivor Finds Men Who Saved Her Life As A Child - 35 Years Later

A woman has reunited with her guardian angels almost four decades after their first meeting in a story guaranteed to get you in your feels.ShipwreckedNine-year-old Desireé Rodriguez was on her dad's boat with her parents, aunt, uncle and sister in Catalina Island, Southern California.That afternoon, the weather started to change as fog rolled in. Rodriguez went to sleep in the lower cabin and awoke to her father screaming that their boat was sinking.She and her sister managed to escape through a window and into the ice-cold Pacific Ocean water.In the hours that followed, the young girl watched as her family members disappeared into the ocean one by one.RescuedNearby, best buds Captain Mark Pisano and Captain Paul Strasser were with their friends fishing for yellowtail. Strasser noticed something in the water and realized it was the bow of a boat. They approached and noticed Rodriguez floating in the water. Pisano dove into the water and brought her aboard to safety as the men radioed for the Coast Guard. Sadly she was the sole survivor.The story of Rodriguez's tragic accident along with the captains' brave rescue made national headlines. However, life went on and both the girl and her rescuers sailed their separate ways.Strasser told the Los Angeles Times that while they always thought of Rodriguez, finding her felt like mission impossible."Desiree was a ghost. We saved her, she's out in the world. And that's all we know. We had no clues on anybody that knew how to get a hold of her"- Paul Strasser One fateful podcast That all changed on an episode of "Friedman's Adventures," a podcast on fishing and the outdoors. There, host Phil Friedman had as guests none other than Strasser and Pisano. When the two men recounted their wild aquatic rescue tale, Friedman tells People Magazine that it inspired him to action."My brain was like, 'I'm going to try to locate her.' We've got to finish this story!"- Phil Friedman He needed help. Enter "Friedman's Adventures" listener Pablo Peña.The fishermen's story reminded him of a former co-worker who mentioned being the lone survivor of a boating accident.However, when Pisano said her name, there was no doubt."I was like, holy moly. Wow, this is just surreal," he told People. ReunitedWith Peña helping Friedman find Rodriguez, Friedman planned an unforgettable surprise for the two fishermen. To pull it off, Friedman invited Strasser and Pisano back to the show. However, this time they'd be joined by "Raquel," who was there to translate the episode into Spanish.She sat quietly as the men retold their story at sea. Then, in a moment 35 years in the making, Friedman revealed Raquel's true identity (10 minutes into the episode)."This is not a translator. I'll let her introduce herself to you"- Phil Friedman"I'm Desirée," responded 44-year-old Desirée Rodriguez.Good deeds change lives There wasn't a dry eye on set as everyone shared hugs. They then exchanged memories of that tragic day along with gratitude for finding each other.As an added surprise, Rodriguez's husband and kids also came by the set to thank the men who saved Desirée.Strasser says that they'll forever share a familial bond."I feel like she's sort of our daughter, in a way, because we brought her back to life, even though we never knew each other"- Paul Strasser Whether it's saving someone at sea or giving up your plane seat, kindness makes a lasting impact. More uplifting news:4 Years Ago, He Was Homeless–Today, He Bought His First HouseWoman Loses 140 lbs After Being Denied Entry To Every Rollercoaster RideDomestic Abuse Survivor Marries The First Responder Who Saved Her Life12-Year-Old Accepted Into College Hopes To Work For NASA One Day

Dad Pushed Wheelchair-Bound Son Through 1000 Marathons To Show Power Of Love
Everyday Heroes

Dad Pushed Wheelchair-Bound Son Through 1000 Marathons To Show Power Of Love

Dick Hoyt is a name many of us may not recognize – but most of will recall the image of a man running in marathons pushing his wheelchair-bound son the whole way.The man behind the wheelchairThat man, Dick Hoyt, did this in more than one thousand marathons nationwide, most notably the famous Boston Marathon, and he has been a beloved symbol of fatherly love. He died this week at home in Holland, Massachusetts, of congestive heart failure. He was 80.Hoyt’s son Rick was born in 1962, a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy, and could not control his limbs or speak. “We had long since learned how to interpret our son’s smiles and nods,” Dick Hoyt wrote in his 2010 book, “Devoted: The Story of a Father’s Love for His Son.” “But as good as everyone in the family was about figuring out what Rick needed, we were still only making educated guesses.”-excerpt from "Devoted: The Story of a Father's Love for His Son" Hoyt first pushed his son Rick in a 1977 race and, they did their first Boston Marathon in 1980 with the help of a racing wheelchair. Hoyt was always able to find a way of including his son in the races.Paying it forwardDick Hoyt tried to do for others what he did for his son, and in 1989 established the Team Hoyt Foundation, which currently has chapters across the United States and Canada. The organization “aspires to build the individual character, self-confidence and self-esteem of America’s disabled young people through inclusion in all facets of daily life," according to its website. What an inspiring legacy of family and love that we can all learn from. Rick may have not had the legs to run, but with his father being the legs for him, he really was able to run the distance.More uplifting stories:She Couldn’t Speak English And Only Had $300 – Today, She Took NASA To MarsWoman Miraculously Escapes Kidnapper By Using Emotional IntelligenceGordon Ramsay’s Daughter Is Just Like Him – And He’s A Surprisingly Good Sport About It12-Year-Old Accepted Into College Hopes To Work For NASA One Day

Boyfriend Shocks Woman On Flight With A Surprise Proposal
Uplifting News

Boyfriend Shocks Woman On Flight With A Surprise Proposal

Nowadays, the marriage proposal is almost as exciting as the wedding itself. Boyfriends and girlfriends come up with elaborate plans to surprise their significant other with a memorable moment. But sometimes, we have to marvel at just how elaborate the plan is. This was the case for Nick Boucher, 28, who surprised his girlfriend Emily Weindorf with one hell of a proposal--on a plane, when she least expected it.This is the heartwarming story behind Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton’s true love. Their fairytale started in the most unexpected way!Short Inspirational Biographies of Histories Greatest, The Legends, The Famous, The Unsung Heroes. Life changing and Inspiring Life Stories that will give you a new perspective on some of the world's most legendary peopleMusic Credits: Fearless MotivationWant More Inspiring Life Stories?"">He surprised her on a layoverEmily was coming back home from a 5-week international physician's assistant rotational program in Peru. Sitting on her seat in the plane, she was shocked to see no other than her boyfriend, Nick, walking down the aisle. He then got down on one knee and proposed to her. The two started dating back in June 2019 but Nick knew pretty much right away that he would end up marrying her. I had known pretty early on that this was the girl I was going to marry.Nick Boucher to GMANick planned an elaborate surprise called 'The Gift'Before Emily even left for Peru, Nick already had set his plan in motion. He contacted Southwest Airlines in January 2020 and arranged to surprise her when she would least expect it, inside her flight while on a layover.Because he had anticipated the problem of distance during Emily's stay in Peru, Nick had sent her a bunch of presents along with custom crossword puzzle he came up with himself.Every morning, as part of the bigger puzzle, he sent Emily a clue by email so she could solve one of the questions--each answer was a word or phrase that related to some part of their relationship. The whole plan led up to his incredible proposal."I had no idea it would lead to a proposal," she told Good Morning America. "The notes, crossword puzzle, and videos were all leading up to the word and phrase 'regalo' which means gift in Spanish."I thought I had opened the end of the gift in Peru, but unbeknownst to me, the gift was culminating in the proposal.Emily WeindorfWhen Nick walked up to her on the place, he presented her with a small box that had the word 'Regalo' written on it. When she opened the ring box, that was his cue to drop down on his knee and ask the ultimate question.Of course, she said yes! The couple plans to marry some time in July. But one thing is certain, she'll never forget the proposal.Don't hold back your feelingsSometimes, it's easy to let life turn us hard. Past rejections can make us reluctant to be vulnerable. If Nick has proven anything, is that taking the plunge and showing your love for someone is not always the wrong thing to do. More touching stories:In Preschool, He Told His Classmates He Would Marry Her–20 Years Later, His Promise Came TrueCouple Who Dated As Teenagers Find Each Other Again After 20 Years ApartHigh School Sweethearts Get a Second Chance at Love When She Sees Him Front Row at Her ConcertWorld’s Oldest Couple Reveals the Secrets to Their 80-Year MarriageIt Took These Best Friends 50 Years to Realize They’re in Love

Teen In And Out Of Homelessness Named Valedictorian
Motivation

Teen In And Out Of Homelessness Named Valedictorian

Martin Folsom had a rough start in life. Living on and off the streets for much of his youth, he experienced years of homelessness. Yet, that didn't stop him from accomplishing what most people would never have been able to, were they ever in his situation. Martin was named valedictorian at his high school.This summer, Folsom will graduate from A. Philip Randolph Career Academy in Jacksonville, Florida with a 4.06 grade point average, putting him at the top of his class!He experienced homelessness multiple times--but never gave up"It's been a rocky road," Folsom says in a video with Good Morning America. "Been a lot of hardships but seeing myself here right now, about to graduate and go to college, it feels good knowing all the stuff I've done was worth it."Martin and his mother, Melva, were homeless twice during his high school years. His mother was running away from an abusive relationship. As a result, they had to move a lot. Over the span of two years, they resided in a number of homeless shelters across in 5 different states. Melva did her best to provide a stable home for her son.But throughout these tumultuous years, Martin never lost sight of his goals. He never missed school and is the highest-ranking student in the class of 2020. In fact, he "held on to his title of Valedictorian all throughout high school even when he and his mother found themselves homeless," as reported by WJXT.I never thought to myself like 'I can't do this anymore' or 'I'm done with this.' It's always been well, 'It's happened again and I just gotta keep myself up and keep moving forward.'Michael Fodsom to WJXTMelva also never lost sight of or faith in her son's abilities. "I just kept pushing him to do better, and not necessarily be number 1 but to do better," Melva said.Michael's message to other young peopleNow, Folsom is looking toward the future. He’s experiencing a lot of life in and out of the classroom on the way there. He is president of the Florida Public Safety Association and president of SkillsUSA (a career and technical student organization. He’s also a member of the Beyond School Walls program with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and has served as class president for the last four years."He's such a special guy, and he's a great student," principal Cathy Barnes told GMA. "He has a big heart for his fellow students, their future and making sure they're an amazing generation."In the Fall, he will attend Valdosta State University in Georgia, and recently landed a mentorship with an actual FBI agent. "He's going to make this happen," Barnes added.Martin's advice to rising students is to "take advantage of every opportunity. You never know where it's going to lead you to, or what you can end up getting out of it," he said."Dream big and think about something that you really want. And think about how good you're gonna feel once you accomplish that."More uplifting news:Single Mom Surprises Son With Backyard Graduation CeremonyTwo Friends Save an Old Man From A Deadly Fire By Climbing the BuildingHikers Finally Found After Surviving 18 Days In WildernessHeroic Uncle Rushes Into Burning Building to Save His NieceNurse Adopts Hospitalized Baby Girl Who Went Months Without Any Visitors

Two Friends Save an Old Man From A Deadly Fire By Climbing the Building
Motivation

Two Friends Save an Old Man From A Deadly Fire By Climbing the Building

We often come across stories of everyday heroes--a state trooper giving his protective mask to a doctor, a woman getting a third job at a nursing home to stay close to her mother etc. And while these stories are absolutely heartwarming--don't get us wrong!--there are some tales of everyday heroism that are nothing short of mindblowing.This is the story of two friends who would give any Marvel superhero a run for their money--and this without any superpower.The old man was caught with no way outBack in April 2020, a fire of a voluntary nature started in a seven-story building located in Montereau-Fault-Yonne, France. The incident unfortunately caused the death of a mother and her three-year old daughter. The survivors were put through quite an ordeal.One of the victims, an old man, was trapped in his balcony, surrounded by the smoke, with no way out. Fortunately for him, two brace superheroes were there to the rescue.Dombaev Dzhambulat and Ouloubaev Aslan are two Chechen friends who have been living in France for seven and nine years respectively. When Dombaev saw the smoke from a distance, he walked closer."I was doing gymnastics in Square Beaumarchais when I saw smoke coming from a neighboring building," Dombaev told Tellerreport with the help of his wife, who translates for him.When he arrived there, he saw the carnage and heard the screams of the residents. He immediately wondered how he could help.He found an ingenuous solutionHe saw the poor old man who was trapped on his balcony, having difficulty breathing with all the smoke. "I'm scared, I'm scared, I can't walk," the old man told Dombaev.With his friend Ouloubaev's help, Dombaev figured out how to save him. "I then piled up trash cans and went up to him," continues Dombaev Dzhambulat. Since the poor old man was too afraid to walk, Dombaev climbed into his balcony, braving the smoke and fire.He then proceeded to extract him from the smoky balcony, taking him in his arms so he could be safe in the other adjacent balcony, as they wait for the firemen to arrive.It's not the first time he had rescued someone"I saw an old person in the wrong and I did not hesitate to climb. I was not afraid because it is not the first time that I have rescued people, " Ouloubaev Aslan said through his son.And it was the same thing for Dombaev.Everyone asked me the question, but I did not have time to be afraid, I had to go.Dombaev Dzhambulat to TellerreportWhile Dombaev doesn't consider his incredible actions to be heroic--for him, it was the normal thing to do--the residents warmly applauded the two men for their bravery.The one thing Dombaev hopes for is to obtain his residency in France, where he has been working as a mechanic for years. “I've been dreaming about this for 7 years, all I want is to live as a simple person. "We're not all like Dombaev, but we can still make a differenceYes, not all of us are capable of climbing a building on fire and carrying a victim in our arms across a balcony. But there are other ways in which we can save each other, when we see someone who needs help. Small or large, incredible or mundane, any act of kindness or help counts.More inspiring heroes:Hikers Finally Found After Surviving 18 Days In WildernessHeroic Uncle Rushes Into Burning Building to Save His NieceNurse Adopts Hospitalized Baby Girl Who Went Months Without Any VisitorsBrave Chaplain Runs Into Burning Notre-Dame to Save Priceless Relics

Denzel Washington Comes To The Rescue Of Homeless Man In Distress
Uplifting News

Denzel Washington Comes To The Rescue Of Homeless Man In Distress

Very often, it seems that people do nice things or the right thing, only to for the attention or to get credit. A company will issue a press release, a celebrity will post a photo of their good deeds. But sometimes, people do wonderful things just because they are wonderful people, when no one is even watching.This was the case for the famous Hollywood actor, Denzel Washington, who decided to put himself in the way of probable danger to protect a homeless man.Denzel noticed a commotion and got out of his carThe 65-year-old Equalizer star “saw a commotion in West Hollywood with cops and an unarmed distressed homeless man,” former NBA player Rex Chapman wrote on Twitter along a video of the encounter, according to USA Today.He got out of his car and served as a barrier between the man and the police — helping to diffuse a tense situation. This man was arrested safely.Rex ChapmanAn another video posted by user @MoPhoPix, an LA cop, details how Denzel (who was wearing a mask) helped.“Denzel drove by, saw the individual on the road and was worried about his safety,” the police sergeant says in the footage.“We intervened, spoke with the individual and determined that he did not want to harm himself or others, and he was on his way, and Denzel left,” the officer says.Denzel went one step furtherNot only did Denzel make sure that the homeless man was not going to be harmed by the cops, he also made sure to provide him with a protective mask. Denzel provided him a mask to protect himself from the environment and that was good. So Denzel helped us today.The actor put extra masks in the homeless man’s pocket, so he could protect himself from the coronavirus. The actor was a “very good Samaritan,” the cop adds.Denzel's intervention comes at a very sensitive time“This is how an encounter with the cops is supposed to end,” @MoPhoPix wrote, indirectly referring to the tragic murder of George Floyd on May 25th 2020, in Minneapolis, which has shaken the country.Many fans have commented on Denzel's admirable intervention, expressing how he made sure the homeless man was not in harm's way. When many have been harmed or lost their lives to police brutality, Denzel's actions could have made the difference between life and death. More inspiring heroes:Parents Finally Reunited With Their Kidnapped Son After 32 YearsSingle Dad Adopts 13-Year-Old After He’s Abandoned At HospitalHeroic Uncle Rushes Into Burning Building to Save His NieceNurse Adopts Hospitalized Baby Girl Who Went Months Without Any Visitors

Hikers Finally Found After Surviving 18 Days In Wilderness
Uplifting News

Hikers Finally Found After Surviving 18 Days In Wilderness

Jessica O'Connor, a kayak guide, and Dion Reynolds, a chef, are experienced hikers but even they found themselves in a life-threatening situation when a wall of fog caused them to lose their way in Kahurangi national park, in New Zealand.Yet, their story shows that they know one or two things about survival.They spent 18 days in the wildernessBoth 23, Jessica and Dion started their hiking journey on May 9th. Little did they know that what should have been a 5-day trip would end up lasting 18 days.But when the fog caught the young friends, they were sidetracked in their adventure, causing them to get lost in the forest. Not only that, but they were also both injured in a fall and had run out of food. Jessica had hurt her back while Dion had strained his ankle.Their story could have turned morbid, were it not for the tenacity of these two heroes.A search party was gatheredA large search party including 50 people, five tracking experts, three dog teams and two helicopter crews were set in place to find Jessica and Dion. Since the Kahurangi national park is the second largest one in New Zealnd--more than 450,000 hectares--covering an area of and the area was heavily forested and rugged, the search was a difficult one to say the least. Some areas in the park don't even have trails.Another hiker, Heather Simpson, told the news organization Stuff that the hikers had stopped at her campsite as they set out before continuing alongside a river.But the two were lucky, as Heather Simpson had seen them at her campsite a little before they were reported missing.They had seemed in good spirits and excited to go on an adventure together. They were young, fit and experienced in the wilderness.Heather Simpson in The GuardianThe two had told her that they had enough food to last several days and they planned to ration it so it would last for as long as possible. Their parents never lost hopeWhat saved Dion and Jessica was the decision to stay in place. They found water, lit a fire and stayed put in a small clearing in the woods that measure just 3 meters by 3 meters. The smoke from the fire saved their life, as it helped the search team to spot their location. "They did the right thing," Sergeant Malcolm York. "They stayed put and they made themselves visible."The pair were in good spirits but "had been without food for some time," he said. On top of the injuries and the shortage of food, they survived the heavy rain and low temperatures too.Jessica's mother, Simone O'Connor, never gave up hope."I never had doubts about that because she knows what she's doing," she told TVNZ.They left the emotions for after their rescueUpon their rescue, Simone reported that Jessica's relief was immense. She was very emotional. I think she was in tears and couldn't talk much...we will talk more once we see her.Simone O'ConnorDion and Jessica's survival story also prove that making level-headed decisions, even in the most panic-inducing situations can pay off. Instead of wandering off and tiring themselves, they spared their energy and did what was the best thing for their survival. While few of us will ever find ourselves in a situation like theirs, we can certainly apply that learning in our day-to-day lives. From decision making to reacting to events, it's always good to try being level headed, when possible.More uplifting news:Couple Met On Dating App Stuck Together In Costa Rica On Third Date–With Surprising ResultsCouple Who Dated As Teenagers Find Each Other Again After 20 Years ApartHigh School Sweethearts Get a Second Chance at Love When She Sees Him Front Row at Her ConcertWorld’s Oldest Couple Reveals the Secrets to Their 80-Year MarriageIt Took These Best Friends 50 Years to Realize They’re in Love