In mythology, a hero is one who is endowed with great courage and strength and is celebrated for his bold exploits. This issue of Columbia Metropolitan introduces you to three heroes who have taken their own experiences and extended them into personal missions to help, remember and heal others.
At the age of 22 months, Steve and Marcella Ridley's son, Winston, was diagnosed with severe autism, and they were told that he would never be a contributing member of society. Helping Winston became a family mission, but Marcella took that mission one enormous step further. Marcella has spent countless hours at the State House fighting for legislation, called the Autism Equity Act, that would enable all South Carolina residents to have insurance coverage for the treatment of autism. She says, "When parents get that diagnosis, they panic. It's a scary and emotional time. Then, when they realize there is no insurance coverage … that's terrifying. Everyone handles it differently. But we want to offer help."
Rubin Stout is a surviving member of the 32nd Infantry Division, which took control of the Villa Verde Trail and enabled the Allies to take control of Luzon, the key to ending Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II. A war hero to many (although he would never allow himself to be called one), Rubin led his men during 119 days of grueling battle as they ascended the mountainous trail. For Rubin, however, it's not his victory on the battlefield that satisfies him most; it's his role in having the Villa Verde Monument restored that makes him most proud. When Rubin visited the monument that originally was erected immediately after the war by his comrades, it had fallen into disrepair and was badly damaged from years of neglect. Rubin was determined to restore the monument and keep alive the memories of the trail's fallen soldiers. After traveling around the country to solicit funds to recreate the original plaque, Rubin organized restoration of the monument and the surrounding grounds. He even raised enough money to construct a park around the monument. Rubin says, "I did it because of all the men we lost over there."
Jim Middlebrooks lives in constant pain. He was diagnosed several years ago with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, a chronic neurological disease that has left him with unyielding pain and diminished physical abilities. But he does not let his condition get him down. When his neighbors received word that their son had been killed by a roadside bomb in Baghdad, he knew what he had to do. Jim has made it his mission to memorialize the South Carolina soldiers who have lost their lives fighting for our country and present the grieving families with beautiful portraits, painted by his own hand, of their fallen soldiers. "I will do what I have to and go to whomever I must to help these families," he says. "They have made the ultimate sacrifice, and they have touched my heart." One recipient says, "We received a lot of plaques, a lot of awards, but the portrait that Jim did means more to me than all of those. My son would be most proud of this because it was done by a person who felt our pain and who himself was in pain."
South Carolina is truly blessed to have these heroes in our state and Columbia Metropolitan Magazine is honored to celebrate their dedication. We thank you for your great contributions to our society.
Sincerely,
Emily Tinch
Editor
This Issue