Who are "The Hawks." Or rather, what does it take to be one? "The Hawks" is based upon the movie of the same name that changed, perhaps saved, my life. In that movie, Timothy Dalton (former James Bond) and Anthony Edwards (Dr. Green from "ER") play two terminally ill men who decide to escape the hospital for one last fling at life, on their terms. They decided that their last days would not be spent "dying" but "living." That movie has been the outline for the way I try to look at everything. Years ago, like Dalton in the movie, I was not afraid of death, I was afraid of life. For an idea of what it means to be a Hawk, please check out my essay, "Hawk vs. Pigeon." The people listed below are those I know that have decided that their illnesses or handicaps did not mean the end of "living." Rather, they defied the doctors and common thought about what it means to be sick or handicapped. They have embraced their conditions and found ways to live despite them. When people ask me who my heroes are, I tell them about people like those listed below. As time passes and I tour the country, I will add more people to this page. I am waiting on essays from a few of them as I type this header. I hope you come away from these pages with the courage to abolish your own self-pity and live your life on YOUR terms.
