BY THE WAY: THESE TWO DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

There are days when this business allows me to meet someone who made a difference in a stranger's life through the strength of their character and will.

On Tuesday I was fortunate enough to meet two individuals who possess such rare qualities.

It was impressive enough for former Cape Girardeau fireman Stafford Moore to merit a heroism award from his peers. This for saving the life of a total stranger. But what made Moore's character shine on this gray, rain-soaked day was the reaction of his former cohorts.

"He's the best, the very best," said Charles Brawley, a high school buddy who battled fires with Moore until Moore took a job with Procter & Gamble in 1986. "I could tell Stafford was uncomfortable getting this award because he doesn't really like to get attention like this," said Brawley. "But he was a super firefighter and a tremendous human being. We'd love to have him back."

Moore risked his own life by pushing through thick smoke and make verbal contact with the lone resident of the house that was in flames. But when he was asked later if he considered it a heroic act, he said it was just something anybody would do if given the chance.

Fred Vincel said Moore did something that should remind us all how important it is to get involved when a neighbor is in need. "Everybody assumes someone else is taking care of it, but Stafford Moore never takes that attitude," said Vincel. "If everybody felt like that we'd save a lot more lives and buildings."

Dianna Seabaugh is yet another person who brightened my day merely by opening a window to her soul. Seabaugh is paralyzed from the shoulders down, the victim of a car accident just over a year ago.

She could have given in and said her life was over. But through the help of family, friends, advanced technology and an incredible strength of character, Seabaugh summoned the means to fight.

When she was introduced to victims who are experiencing a similar plight, Seabaugh realized that not everyone was taking the same attitude. "Some of them were just in high school or in their early 20s," she said. "They said they would never have the chance to get married or raise a family, so what was the use? I told them I'm not giving up. There is still a lot of things I want to do."

One woman was headed for the Olympics as a gymnast until her spine was severed in a car wreck. "Jackie Joyner Kersee visited her one day," Seabaugh recalled. "It had an immediate impact on her attitude. But then Jackie Joyner didn't make her next scheduled visit and I could tell the woman was really down. I never saw her again, but I think she just gave up."

Seabaugh doesn't think she will regain full control of her arms and legs, but through electronic stimulation to her arms and hands she plans to be able to feed herself again. "I've already seen movement in my right arm during my physical therapy sessions," she said. "I think it can happen."

She also has a custom-made wheelchair that allows her to go where she wants and turn on or off any appliance in her house. It's as easy as sipping and puffing on an expensive straw and learning the code to an even pricier black box.

She wants to finish work on a degree in computer science. Perhaps Seabaugh will move to a larger city and help more patients who have suffered a similar fate.

"I believe that things have happened to me to put me in a position to help someone," she said. "That's what gives me a sense of purpose."

bill Heitland is a staff writer for the Southeast Missourian.