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The Homeless Hero

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salvationarmy_tp-farronThe noise caught the attention of Faron Hall, a homeless man sitting on the river bank. “I’m cold, help me. Somebody help me,” screamed the 19-year-old teen from the icy, churning waters of the Red River. While attempting to jump between platforms on a Winnipeg bridge, Joseph Mousseau plunged into the river.

Hall, risking his life, jumped into the cold water, calmed the panicked teen and pulled him back to shore. Mousseau survived and Hall is now being called a hero.

A former teacher’s aide, Hall, 44, admits he has a problem with alcohol. For seven years the local park and a spot of ground under the bridge on the banks of the river have been his home.

Photo:Bert Savard/CBC

On May 6 Mayor Sam Katz presented Hall a civic medal of valour and baseball season tickets for his act of heroism. But, Hall doesn’t like all the attention.

“As long as the kid is safe, that’s my reward,” says Hall.

He did have one special request—a new pair of shoes. The ones he wore into the river are hurting his feet.

Has your perception of homeless people changed?

 

9 Responses

  1. Wow.
    Makes you really appreciate all you have in life. Mr. Hall may have just saved himself too. :)

  2. Interesting how “all” people will do the right thing when called upon to do so.

    Wish him well.

  3. This does not surprise me. Homeless “people” are only homeless through unfortunate circumstanses. Some caused by society, some from personel, emotional, medical problems.
    They are not stupid or lazy, they are just like every other human being. Which means they possess courage, ingenuity, fear, love, hate, etc, you get the picture. ALL of us need God’s love and forgiveness.
    We need to give them a “leg up”, show them respect, give them their dignity, treat them with compassion, and say…”There but through the grace of God go I”

  5. Having a home… Does not determine the size of your HEART !!! and a circumstance you are in, does not decide who you are as a person… for who ever wrote “intresting how”

  6. Every homeless person has a story. We can easily sterotype people who live on the streets, however, it is usually out of circumstance and weakness that these indiviuals find themselves homeless. Homeless people are not necessarily anti-community, nor are they necessarily criminal or dangerous. They are still worthy of dignity.

  8. I have worked with Street people in Kingston, Toronto, Brampton, Paris FR,London UK and Dublin IRsince 1996. I have found them to be an amazing group of humans who frequently form alliances to survive on the streets in all seasons. Many seek help and support for services to help them deal with the problems which necessitated life on the street for them. Not all are successful in beating their demons and completing changing life long patterns. Mousseau is indeed an angel not comfortable with the notoriety and fame of being a hero. Would that each of us would lay our lives on the line for someone needing help! It is the philosophy of the POWER OF ONE which I encourage every person I meet to adhere to! Blessings to Mousseau and all who reach out to help a friend in need!

  9. What a beautiful spirit in this man, you can see it in his eyes.
    everyone has a hero inside them, some people show it in extreme ways
    other in everyday actions. This Angel was sent to help that boy reach
    his full potential.
    Remember you can be a hero too, just look and listen.

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