One person can make a difference

There are some days when the alarm goes off and all you want to do is pull the covers over your head. Other days it is easy to get out of bed and make a difference to someone. When I worked in the corporate world it was easy to say it can wait or we can get to it tomorrow. Working with people who want things to happen and are excited to make a difference becomes infectious.

I have been working with a couple of people who do make a difference and have infected me with their drive and determination. The first is Dr. Thomas DeBauche. I met him just over twenty years ago a few weeks after meeting his oldest daughter. I was hesitant to meet him because it was a dinner and the purpose was to tell him that my intentions were to marry his daughter. Over the years I have seen what he does and how he works with patients and the community that he lives in. I have seen him get numerous community awards for service and giving to the local schools. About two years ago he convinced me to leave a perfectly stable job and help him start a small company that wants to screen high school athletes. Eighteen months later we are almost profitable and have expanded to three states and about 4% of all athletes in the state of Texas. His excitement for the company has helped me be creative and grow the company in ways that I would not have thought of. Our plans are to expand into one or two other states next year and triple the number of students that we screen next year.

The second person that I think makes a difference is Marcia Niles. I have never personally met Marcia but have talked to her on the phone and helped her with one of her projects. About three years ago her granddaughter passed away from sudden cardiac death. Marcia's daughter called me and asked how we could help start a program in Phoenix to prevent this from happening to other kids and parents. She was able to partner with the Anthony Bates Foundation and get screening started at area schools and continues to screen students in Arizona. Marcia started a screening program in Lincoln County Washington at one school last year and has expanded to most of the schools in the county this year. We donated one of our machines to her this year so that she can expand her screening and cover more schools.

It is easy to wake up and hit the snooze button. It is easy to let someone else take care of things and do the hard work before you get there. I find it rewarding to get up and work with the people who make a difference in the lives of others. They encourage me to try and make a difference as well. This morning I took my youngest son to his first high school swim practice. I introduced myself to the swim coach and told him that I wanted to screen all of his swimmers before the start of school. I have already cleared it with the athletic director for the district but it is important to me that all the kids that my son will be swimming with gets screened. He looked a little shocked by my determination but said that he will work with his trainers and athletic director to lock down a date. He thinks that screening is a good idea and wants to make sure all his kids are safe as well.

One person can make a difference.