NanaHood’s Ten Most Fascinating People of 2011
Not long ago Barbara Walters had a television special with the people she considered to be the most fascinating people of 2011. Some of the folks she chose were Steve Jobs, Simon Cowell, Pippa Middleton, Katy Perry and the Kardashians. With the exception of Steve Jobs, I didn’t care much for her selection. That’s okay. She probably won’t agree with my list of notables, but of course she’ll more than likely never know about them so it doesn’t matter anyway.
I chose them for no other reason other than than fascinate me. Maybe you will think they are fascinating too, and if you don’t then you are free to make up your own list.
10. Steve Jobs. Barbara was right on this one. He was fascinating.
9. Nancy Goodman Brinker. If you don’t recognize this name, you probably will recognize her sister’s name, Susan G. Komen. Because of her sister’s experience and subsequent death from breast cancer she created a foundation for breast cancer research and wrote a best selling book about her experience. She’s done a lot more and you can read about it here. One of the reason’s I chose her is because I believe she is a good example of what love can do-never under estimate the power of love.
8. Dakota Meyer – I’ve never met him but he lives close so one day maybe I will. You can read why I chose him here.
7. Ryan Blanck – Way too many of our soldiers are coming home from war without limbs. Ryan Blanck is helping them and lessening the pain at the same time. Blanck designed the Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis, or IDEO, a streamlined, energy-storing brace that delivers almost instant results. Now, most troops with salvaged limbs who wheel or limp into his office walk out a short time later, pain and limp-free.That’s an awesome reason to put him on this list. Thanks for doing what you do Ryan. You can read about it here.
6. Elizabeth Turner Campbell – She died this year but she did so much good while she was alive. She was the founder of The Center for Courageous Kids and what a great place that is! It’s more than just a camp for ill children and Elizabeth was more than just a generous benefactor. You can read about her here.
5. Rachel Beckwith was just nine years old when she died earlier this year. She wasn’t your typical child. Instead of birthday presents for her last birthday she wanted to raise money so children in other countries could have clean water. You can read about her wish here. Sadly, she was killed in a car wreck but she met her goal (she wanted to raise $300) and her charity has raised over $1 million.
4. Bruce A. Beutler and Jules A. Hoffmann They share the 2011 Nobel Prize for medicine. I’d like to tell you what they discovered but I’m not smart enough to do that. You’ll just have to read about it here.
3. Barbara Walters. She can’t choose herself and she’s talked to a gazillion famous people. So Barbara, hope you feel important!
2. Tim Tebow. I like the guy. He’s a talented athlete. A good role model and he isn’t afraid to stand up for what he believes in. Unlike a lot of atheletes, he makes the news for being good. Now that’s unique!
1. Jesus Christ. He will always be my number one. Who else has had such a lasting influence? Who else has such a powerful Father? Who else died on the cross and then 3 days later came back to life? Who else will come back and help judge the world? Now that’s what I call fascinating and you can read about it in the Bible, which is the best selling book of all time for a very good reason.
That’s my list and I’m sticking to it!
