Friday, September 24, 2010

Your Turn

A couple of weeks ago there was a very heart wrenching story about a man who was involved in a car accident. The man was driving with his pregnant wife sitting next to him when an out of control SUV came barreling across traffic head on towards the couple. In order to save the life of his wife and unborn child, the man swerved so he took the impact of the SUV which killed him. It got me to thinking about how I would react in such a situation and who is important enough to me that I would sacrifice my life for theirs.

I would love to know from you who you would consider important enough to save if given the opportunity or would you trade your life for another? Has anyone ever done something like that for you?


59 comments:

  1. I've never been in that situation, but I would sacrifice my life for my children's. No question.

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  2. hands down, both my children.

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  3. I agree, I would sacrifice my life for my son's. period

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  4. My mom, no question. Also, when my dog is threatened, I jump in without thinking. Got bit once for it too. I know intellectually that you should never get in the middle of a dog fight, but my instincts don't give me time to think about it.

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  5. My kids. No question. They're more important to me than anything.

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  6. my child, and probably yours

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  7. my child, my parents, my husband. my sister's on my shit list right now, but i guess i would for her, too.

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  8. Easy...

    My parents, brother & his kids, and sister & her kids.

    I'm single. No spouse/kids/pets.

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  9. i don't think you have time to even think- you just do.

    people who jump down on train tracks or push people out of the way,they don't know them. you just react one way or the other. those are the heroes of everyday life and this future dad was one of them. sad.

    aside from the obvious family and friends, every life has value to me and if given the opportunity i'd hope i'd just jump in and do what i could.

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  10. My niece and nephew without a moments hesitation. Actually I can't imagine not doing it for any child no matter who's it was.

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  11. First person who came to mind was my sister. She's never saved my life, but she's my best friend. This is making me really sad. I'm going to reread the story about LiLo getting sent to jail to cheer me up.

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  12. Ditto what jax said - I think situations like that you just react. Either you are the type who jumps in and does something or you aren't - especially if it's a child.

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  13. I'd pretty much take the hit for anyone right about now. I hate today. Hope I make it to tomorrow, frankly.

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  14. I agree with Jax. You either have it in you to help or you don't.
    I have no kids, but I would sacrifice my life for my brother, my niece and nephew, my mother and my fiancee.
    I also agree that if I saw ANY child in harms way I would try to protect them as well.

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  15. My first thought was my three children. But then I thought about it and would have to add just about an child I saw in peril.

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  16. @ selenakyle, sorry it's a bad day. I have lots of those. Hang in there.

    I think jax got it right. You just don't think. I jumped in a lake and save my two year old brother before I could swim. No thought, just jumped.

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  17. I've actually been in a situation that was, if not exactly similar, then very comparable. It made me realize that when the time comes to judge a decision so huge in that amount of time, if you're the type of person that would save a family member or friend, then there's a good chance you would do it for a perfect stranger, as well. It's just a certain instinct to protect life and the ability to empathize. I think that there is a small percentage of people who lack that, though, and some who just can't process a situation that quickly, and then who knows what would happen? But really, it's instinctual for most of us. Definitely.

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  18. To this day I remember an "almost" traffic accident I was in with my dad driving, I was about 11-12 years old at the time. My dad instinctively put his arm out holding me back from hitting the dashboard, I wasn't wearing a seatbelt. This was back in the 1970's before seatbelts were mandatory. He did it so fast I was amazed. It was a close call, and I would have hit the dash if his arm wasn't protecting me.

    Our family wasn't big on saying "I love you", but I walked away from that knowing how much he cared for me.

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  19. Selena- you can't off yourself without first learning if Heidi and Spencer ARE getting divorced!??

    hang in there girl.

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  20. Anonymous12:59 PM

    My junior year in high school a guy pulled a gun on me in the parking lot the night of the homecoming dance. My friend Wayne, who was friends with the guy, stood in front of me until we (me and my friends) could get in the car and get away.

    Should I ever be in the financial position to do so, I plan to start a scholarship in his honor at the University of Maryland, the college he attended.

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  21. Hmmmmmm? (long uncomfortable pause) Nobody.

    Im single and my whole family is horrid and homophobic. And as for other people's children, nope. In this world, the parents would probably sue my estate if after swerving and getting killed saving their kids life the kid got a scratch on their forehead.

    I need that money to save as many doggies as possible, you go ahead and save the brats. ugh!.

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  22. Selena, we need you here, so please stick around for our sake if nothing else. And remember, if your current life is too hard to deal with, you can always move to Tahiti and become a beach bum. In fact, I may join you.

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  23. Aww thanks, y'all are nice! Some days though...soooommmmme days...just BLAM! I feel like checking right on OUT.

    Makes me pray hard that someone doesn't look at me cross-eyed at the grocery store.

    A psychic said it's all chemical, so these GD 46yo hormones must be out of control!

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  24. i think the only people i would instinctually save would be my kids. i'd like to be able to say my husband, mom, best friend, etc, but i think i would stand in stunned shock. with my kids, i wouldn't even think about it, it would just be done.

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  25. (and of course I'd do anything I could for any person or any animal in trouble on any given day unless I knew for a fact they were a rapist, abuser, pedo or murderer).

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  26. My kids and grandkids and prob any child in danger.

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  27. Anonymous1:14 PM

    i'm in a dilemma. does anyone here have any experience with rest stop/truck stop hooking?

    i need to make some money like today, but no later than sunday. hooking is not new to me. i just don't have the extra income to get an online ad. has anyone here been a 'lot lizard'?

    i need to know how to go about it.

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  29. selena, I hear you with the hormonal thing. St. John's Wort helps me. Well, that and alcohol.

    A couple of weeks ago I saw video of two guys pulling an old guy out of a burning car. How does a person decide to do that? I'm with Jax, it's just instinct.

    Lot lizard, huh? I learned a new term today.

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  30. ummmm.... Hooker?

    I think you're on the wrong site.

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  31. I acnnot believe he had the split second intuition to do this. I will say this though, his place in heaven was chosen by God.

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  33. My kids. Your kids. Anyones kids. Well actually I'd do it for anyone I could. I cannot imagine being in a situation to help and NOT doing so. I don't think I could live w/myself for at least not trying.

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  34. Anonymous1:39 PM

    no, i'm not on the wrong site. i have been commenting here for at least two years, but chose to change my name. i know that most here have varied past lives, and i just wanted to get some insight.

    i'm really in a pickle!

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  35. Varied past lives? That made me smile...

    Pickle? That me smile more...

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  36. For all of you out there that don’t know what a lot lizard is, a lot lizard is a prostitute that hangs out in truck stops. If you’re gonna be a prostitute I guess it makes sense to go where all the lonely men are.

    But HOOKER: in this economy even the truckers arent making that much extra cash, so unless you wanna peddle the honey-pot for chum change I think you better aim at hooking higher, MOst of the local phone sex lines allow the women to post adds for free, all you need is a working cell phone and in no time you will have a purse full of cash, just dont forget the knee pads.

    Good luck.

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  37. Hooker, try selling some plasma.

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  38. @Hooker --

    Okay okay, no, I'm afraid I don't know any tips or tricks for you, but it seems pretty easy if you're already familiar with the business

    I'd think you'd want to suggest it to them close to their cabs when they're getting in or out of their truck. That's probably better than hanging around whatever diner is servicing them.

    You could even use that term - "are you looking for additional services" ?

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  39. @Hooker... Can you get an extension? I'm assuming this isn't a bank loan we are talking about...

    Truck stops seem risky - at least tell a friend before you do it so someone knows where you are. I don't have any personal experience, but I wish you luck. If you were in Holland, this would be much easier for you. Geluk!

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  40. Anonymous2:03 PM

    lol, guys and gals. thanks, this is a real post. i'm shitting you. ashton, i peeped your profile a couple of months ago. interesting! thanks for the tips.

    dawn, i 'hook' as to supplement my income. just explaining. anyway, i normally have a paid ad and see men in hotels. better advertisement, but i'll have to improvise today, this weekend. i didn't know how the trucker/lot lizard worked.

    thanks, ALL.

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  41. Anonymous2:04 PM

    meant to say: i'm NOT shitting you.

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  42. This isn't that risky, but I fell down a flight of stairs caring my infant daughter. I instinctively held her up and out of the way as I slid down at an awkward angle. Somethings you just do without thinking.

    My husband and another officer intentionally drew fire from a sniper so the entry team could get into the guy's apartment and grab him.

    My husband said it was surreal with the rounds going past his head and cinder blocks breaking.

    I don't know if I could have ever knowingly made the choice to walk into gunfire. He said he did what he had to do to apprehend the gunman. That was 25 years ago and it still haunts me a little.

    Side note-while they were running targets the other officer sang the theme song to the tv show Facts of Life. God help me, but this is true.

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  43. By the way HOOKER, you can still use Craiglist, just go to the Women Seeking Men section and post a very inviting but innocent looking post looking for "Generous" men. Dont forget to use the word "Generous" Trust me they know exactly what that means. Just play it safe. (you know what I mean).

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  44. Hooker- well good for you for having goals and not being afraid to reach em. for real.

    please play safe and always make sure someone knows where you are.

    And honey, most those truckers are looking for rent boys and a good DL shag. you're better to keep it simple and in public. the type of things those lot lizards want you to do, you don't want to. i knew a runaway that got into it and it was the most degrading,depraved and sick fucking guys preying on the weak.

    you're worth more than that.

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  45. Anonymous2:45 PM

    I thought I heard on the news that Craiglist is suppose to not post any more adult ads. Or did I hear wrong.

    Hooker: I find it strange that you are asking for info when you are already a professional woman/man.

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  46. Selenakyle, hang in there. We would miss you. Hope your day brightens and your hormones get under control so you every day is good.

    Hooker, please be careful and good luck with earning what you need.

    Finally, I would save my husband and my 4 god-children (we can't have children of our own). My dad as well. Any other child also. I don't think we really know until each situation occurs. I would like to think that maybe there is a little hero inside each of us.

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  47. OK I guess I would throw myself in front of a trucker to save Hooker.

    There.

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  48. Yes I have, or would. that's all I'm saying for now. :)

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  49. I think I am so afraid of death I wouldn't take a hit for anyone. When I was diagnosed with cancer, my mother and my brother both told me they wished they could take it from me and have it themselves. I didn't believe them.

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  50. My son,and grandson...definitely. No one has ever traded their life for me, but my husband did give me a kidney. Sorta' the same...

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  51. Anyone in my family. About 10 years ago I saved a co-worker from being hit by a speeding car through a parking lot. It was late at night and we had just got off work and were walking to our cars. She was too busy yakking and facing the other direction to see him coming. I grabbed her and pulled us both out of the way. She was pregnant at the time, but I didn't know it, as she hadn't announced it at work yet.


    Hope you are feeling better Selena. You know what they say tomorrows a new day. I have a case of beer and a mocha chocolate cake, come on over. My youngest sister took her life when she was 21, her friends and family still miss her terribly. So I get a little worried when people feel that bad.

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  52. My daughter. It would be easy.

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  53. I would risk my life for a complete stranger unless I knew for certain they were a criminal or something.

    @bramblewitch I watched my parents die from cancer. Believe your mother and brother. BELIEVE THEM.

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  54. My brothers. My late sister's sons.

    Hooker, please be careful.

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  55. My 43-year-old kid brother, who is my best friend, was diagnosed last November with Stage 4 esophageal cancer. He's a married father of three great kids.

    I've tried to negotiate with God over and over again over the past several months;

    I would trade places with my brother hands down ...

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  56. Coming a little late to the party, but had to post. First - Selenakyle, please hang-in honey. People do care about you.

    Hooker - Wow! Just stay safe. Unless you owe the mob, is it really that drastic? And yes, my past is varied, up to and including... Still have regrets.

    I would give my life for my loved ones and prolly a stranger, but that's not the point of this post. I have a son, very young adult, who is beyond honorable. Just a complete stand-up guy. I'm incredibly proud of him. He has already saved a kid's life earlier this year and know he'd do it again for anyone in a heartbeat. That's one of my biggest fears. I don't want him to be so self-sacrificing. I know he'd give his life for a complete stranger and that is just not ok with me. I want him to be a selfish mo-fo, but that's probably not gonna happen in this life-time. This may sound twisted, but he's my baby, always will be.

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  57. One way to make a difference is to register with the Gift of Life Foundation. They take a sample of your DNA and match it to people needing bone marrow transplants, which are easy to do, and not as painless as they used to be.

    I registered 15 years ago - no calls yet, but my friend got the call, and the patient is doing well and is going to live.

    The other best way to save a life is to donate blood and plasma.

    We can all save lives every day this way.

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  58. Who would I save?? Anyone needing it, I hope. But for certain a gentleman named Nik.

    SelenaKlye .. hang in there. I have been away from CDAN for a long while .. been dealing with foreclosure, pre- bankruptcy [I am still not able to file because I am $1300 short for my lawyer] so I know it can be really hard right now. But keep on keepin' on! It just has to get better eventually .. or at least this is the delusion I am subscribing to daily! ; ) Life can just be bullshit at times .. but it does get better. And I hear ya on the age front .. turned 45 on the 10th myself. Take care .. it will get better .. it might take time .. hell years is my estimation for my own life .. but you can make it.

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  59. My husband, my family, my doggies, my friends & depending on the situation, strangers. I don't recall ever being in a situation where someone saved me. But I am certain that I have not only one but a fleet of guardian angels looking after me.

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