What's in the heads of heroes? | 60 Minutes

Scott Pelley meets with Carnegie Hero Fund awardees and reports on a possible difference in brain make-up for those who commit heroic acts.
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[@yonikki]

My father was awarded a Carnegie Hero Award for saving a man trapped in a burning vehicle. This happened in early 80s in Denver, Colorado. That giant coin is extra special to me now ... I used to play with it as if every family had one positioned on their bookcase. Btw, the guy my dad saved never thanked him ... neither did his parents. Go figure.

[@notbitteratall]

A hero would have got the second one as well. That’s hard to hear and I can’t imagine trying to live life thinking that of myself. I sure hope he finds peace with himself over all of that very soon. If you read this know you are a great human.

[@lyndacathyleenstead1467]

Really touched my Heart thanks much 🙏❣️

[@taniagordon2589]

I so needed this story today. In a world so broken it's good to know there's good out there!❤💙

[@ShannonLH1108]

This was excellent, and a nice change from the doom and gloom we've gotten accustomed to seeing in the news.

[@martymorse2]

When I was 21 I as riding alone deep in the woods on my off road motorcycle. I was negotiating the trail at a very slow speed when the trail disappeared in front of me and I fell 70+ feet, in what seemed like mili-seconds, to the bottom of a sand quarry. The moment I landed I realized I was covered in gasoline, my motorcycle was on top of me and I was paralyzed from the waist down. It happened so fast there was no time to react. I had ridden that trail before and I had never experienced a problem or heard of any other riders experiencing problems. For the next 2+ hours I yelled for help. I was close to giving up because of pain and fear when an off duty Boston fireman walked up to me and told me:"the EMT's were on the way." He offered comfort and reassurance that: "all would be all right once I got to the emergency room." Later, I asked this very humble and quiet man how he found me. He told me that he was at a cookout a little over a mile away and heard my calls for help. Out of all the people at that cookout he was the only person to get up and go into the wood to see who was making all that noise. He had been discouraged by those with him with claims that "it was just some kids playing a joke on them." He told me the reason he came looking was:"he would not be able to sleep that night if he did not check it out." This impressive citizen most likely saved my life. That accident was 47 1/2 years ago but it seems like yesterday. Although I have spent my "second life" using a wheelchair for mobility, this outstanding man set a path in my life where caring and helping other people recover from a traumatic or acquired disability. I will never be able to thank the late-Don Gillis of Rockland, Massachusetts for giving me a life worth living. With two advanced degrees, a wife(37 years,) two incredible boys, I have traveled the world as an expert on exercise and sport for those with physical disabilities. I have also coached at both the Olympics and Paralympics and coached 12 champions in the Wheelchair Division at the Boston Marathon. We need more people like Mr Gillis willing to invest in their fellow human beings, regardless of borders, race, color or creed. Thank you for this insightful program. You brought back a lot of memories.

[@lisabishop133]

Wow, what a story and so glad he was curious enough to ignore the others and actually find you! Sounds like you have lived a very awesome life !

[@martymorse2]

@@lisabishop133 Thank you Lisa. My life has been wonderful but the fight for those who have suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI)goes on. We hear people yelling for a cure for SCI's, yet at the same time, people around the world need wheelchairs, accessible housing and equal opportunity in the workforce. I was told that a "cure" was right around the corner when I was in rehab in 1975-76. To date, there has been no "cure" other than attaching robotic accouterments to people that is not in anyway the same as walking or normal locomotion. In my opinion, we need to concentrate on rehabilitation and education for those like me who suffer a SCI at a young age so they can find a job and wages to allow them to live a normal life as I have. From the moment I hit the ER on the night of June 29th 1975 every healthcare professional wanted nothing but good things to happen to me. Seemed every person I met in the healthcare field had a college degree or an advanced degree. As a farm boy from a blue collar background, they became my role models for life. Will never be able to thank all those wonderful people for giving me such a rich life. Lisa, Thank you for your kind words. Know you have made my day brighter with your sweet words and interest in my life's story. If you doubt anything about my story, Google my name. Yes, my life has been one "worth living" and it is my intent to drink in every last drop of this God given life. Be safe and the best to you and your family in 2023.

[@lisabishop133]

@@martymorse2 I didn't doubt your story, but I was curious ,so I did Google you 😆 very interesting for sure. Congrats on such a long marriage also!!

[@martymorse2]

@@lisabishop133 Sorry Lisa, i didn't doubt your sincerity. All too often I see things on KZbin that can't be true. My story is very personal and I want people to know that no matter how tough life can be you can adapt and move forward. Thanks for the marriage best wishes. We have been blessed with so many opportunities and it's our mission to help those who are recently injured realize that after a catastrophic accident most people can come back with renewed hope for the future. Again Lisa, thank you for your kind words. Do not see this often on KZbin. All the best to you in 2023 and beyond.

[@lisabishop133]

@@martymorse2 I just found out tonight my older brother had a spinal infarction, which is a kind of stroke and can't use his arms or legs. My SIL said he was in ICU but has now been able to wiggle his feet, so they are very hopeful. He goes to a top rehab in VA as soon as the hospital sends him, but it could take up to 2 yrs for him to recover, and nothing is guaranteed. So scarey!!!

[@zoer7338]

So interesting about the amigdula. I would be interested in seeing scans of the amigdula of narcissists, since they're known for a lack of empathy.

[@rdmaker3]

I am proud of Terry Ann and she did a great job.

[@cherylmillard2067]

I pulled a drowning boy out of a hot tub, I was laying out in the sun and heard the little voice of his sister saying "Markie's drowning, Markie's drowning, I looked up to see a tuff of his blond hair mixed with the bubbling water, without thinking I got up, grabbed him and got him out. It was Arizona in the mid-eighties and the Milwaukee Brewers were in Spring training, they were staying in our apartment complex. From time to time, I wonder what happened to that tiny guy, I hope he did well.

[@MISNM0]

💐💛🌈

[@jackburton2680]

All about you huh? Weird brag.

[@Dianelee999]

Thank you. 🙏🇺🇸

[@jodiesipes910]

I love 60 minutes !!

[@atreb56]

Great story.

[@jgales2987]

I’m pretty intrigued but I’d like to know more about the research. I find it hard to believe that everyone with that enlarged brain region would act on impulse to become a hero. There must be some variables but hard to prove. Also who are the hero’s that didn’t qualify to be awarded?

[@dakotac180]

Nurses, doctors, EMTs, fire fighters, military, police People are being heros everyday. My mom is a nurse and I've seen her actively save lives at least twice off duty, they kick into action anywhere they go.

[@1974skittlesful]

I cried when he showed him the 18yr old boy on the laptop

[@elhombrebilingue]

We're all programmed for heroism. Few realize it, it seems.

[@NickLAnderson]

🙏🏼

[@minigiant8998]

wow remind me not to cut onions while watching 60 mins.

[@teresasmith4145]

The best book I ever read🤭 the only book I ever read was : How to Win Friends and Influence People👀🤭

[@justinkoenig1706]

Can the amigdula grow over time? Can a person learn to emphasize and sympathize and work their amigdula like a muscle?

[@margauxcamaya]

Amygdala - the fight, flight or faint instinct.

[@sulaimankhuja8073]

I wonder if their actions and amygdala engagement were caused by nature or nurture? Can you ask her Scott please.

[@bluceree7312]

I know for sure I'm not a hero, in that I was not born one. How do I know? when there is perceived danger or someone in need, I definitely think about it and weigh the consensuses. Never had to leave someone who needed my help behind, and I might actually help someone when the need arises, but that would be after consideration on my part. Just saying not everyone is born a hero and that's ok.

[@filthytrumplost733]

Organic robots is what we are

[@trudyclay3478]

All of this looks like people who are Empaths

[@erindiamond3683]

$5,500? Good lord, thought this was going to be life changing money for people.

[@emmanuelkoutsoudakis4614]

Values controversial

[@zoer7338]

My Dad used to like the term "bleeding heart liberals". It's very possible that people vote certain ways because of the size of their amigdula, because of their capacity for empathy, isn't it?

[@peni1641]

That is a very interesting idea. Now you got me wondering 🤔

[@AwilsonBLOGME]

I saved a woman years ago on beach in Tallassee fl from great white shark, he had a hold of her and he wouldn't let go for more than 30 mins I did get the key to the city but the keys was out to give me one in my hand, I don't know the lady but she was from Ohio I never found her after that to speak to see if she lived or not.

[@jimparsons6803]

Interesting, huh? Sort of "compelled" then? I'm sure that many will take either issue or object, but this might explain much of what happens in Washington where lawmakers there seek to give other peoples' money away, gathered via taxes. The claims from Washington or even states' capitals, include ones of charity or otherwise 'helping out,' or even 'America, the richest Country in the Word, can afford to do this!' And the evening news TV programming as well, perhaps? If it is really only about the form of Government, given that the US has been trying endlessly to export Democracy, it would seem that some or most, at least would have caught on. And they apparently haven't. Also explains LBJ, from a certain point of view. Sort of a book end with Minutes of that day and earlier in that Sunday, Sunday Morning and the retrospective on LBJ. I wonder if there are statistical differences between men and women? But getting back to being compelled... and the shown fact of having this physical abnormality, might the flip, sociopathy, also have the same cause? I've heard (I am not a lawyer) that some sorts of sociopathy are considered to be a mental defect or insanity. And hence cannot be legally held responceble. In the case of exuberant politicians, I sort of end up scratching my chin.

[@nikosvault]

Carnegie...yuck

[@zxcytdfxy256]

Donations are trash, we need the rich to pay taxes.

[@ShoestringRacer]

What’s you definition of rich ? What yearly income?

[@patrickcullen3965]

@@ShoestringRacer Let's go back to the Eisenhower tax rates adjusted for inflation. And close some loopholes.

[@Tamara-id1pe]

Taxation is theft, how about we create better systems since more tax dollars only equates to deeper pockets for those who line theirs with our tax dollars

[@GODSREAL]

None of your business

[@root2davinerecords740]

The Lord Jesus Christ is the real Hero

[@cleob9956]

Yes- and He teaches us to lay down our lives for others. ❤

[@earlstevens7312]

He was a man. He had a beard.

[@jonathanyoung9369]

Thank you for highlighting Donald Trump; I don't think people realize how much better we were as a country (and my 401k 😔) when he was President.

[@questioneverything594]

Complete utter nonsense. The stock market has been on a steady rise since 2009. Trump had nothing to do with that. He simply stepped into a riding market. Remember, it was at roughly 6,000 and started climbing under Obama and continued under Trump. The stock market has its own life kind of independent of Presidents, unless they do something completely stupid like get us into an unnecessary war. Trump was a disaster and did the greatest harm to the nation in modern history. Get an education my man.

[@pietrojenkins6901]

I doubt that .

[@chloehennessey6813]

@@pietrojenkins6901 Doubting doesn’t prove anything. The Us was doing a whole lot better under Trump. If you can’t see that and admit it? You’re an extremist and a partisan hack.

[@Ashkanman]

Lmao not a single mention of the guy what are u on

[@beefjezos2713]

Oh look its a schizophrenic

[@edyann]

Americans love to be called heroes, huh.

[@michaelcmcclorey7026]

True heros are bought to status by someone who witnessed there act of courage. Never really accepting the title.