Editor’s note: Congratulations to submitter Tara Ham from New York and nominee Jason Ham who won the second place prize in our “Everyday Heroes” contest. We asked for you to submit a photo and short story about a responder you would call a ‘hero’. We selected six finalists out of almost 100 entries, and then left it up to you, the reader to pick the winner. View the grand prize winner.
Submitted by Tara Ham
Troy, New York
I think Jason Ham is an everyday hero.
Besides working for a busy ambulance and volunteering at his own local fire department, he has started a wave of education to volunteer and paid fire and EMS departments in upstate New York.
Jason’s son Josh has ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder. Jay made stickers for his helmets that are supporting ASD, and he has passed out more than 500 stickers to anyone who asks for them.
Signs have been put up at stations supporting Autism and Jason has started a Facebook page called Responders Awareness as a place for first responders to get information on all disabilities.
The awareness has been spread since the middle of March of this year.
It is remarkable that this all started with a man wanting a sticker for his helmet to support his little boy.
Jason is hoping in the next months and years more people affected by disabilities will be helped by the information he is providing today.
I am Jason’s wife and fellow firefighter and I truly believe that this is the definition of heroism: Protecting and helping those who can not protect and help themselves.