What Happens To Real Heroes

JOPLIN, Mo. -- By all accounts, Mark Lindquist is a hero, an underpaid social worker who nearly gave his life trying to save three developmentally disabled adults from the Joplin tornado. Both houses of the Missouri legislature honored Lindquist, the Senate resolution calling him "a true hero and inspiration to others."

But heroism doesn't pay the bills. The tornado's 200 mph winds tossed Lindquist nearly a block, broke every rib, obliterated his shoulder, knocked out most of his teeth and put him in a coma for about two months.

Lindquist, 51, ran up medical expenses that exceed $2.5 million, and the bills keep coming. He requires 11 daily prescriptions and will need more surgery.

But he has no medical insurance. Lindquist couldn't afford it on a job paying barely above minimum wage. He assumed workers' compensation would cover his bills, but his claim was denied "based on the fact that there was no greater risk than the general public at the time you were involved in the Joplin tornado," according to a letter to Lindquist from Accident Fund Insurance Company of America, his company's workers' comp provider.

132 worker's compensation claims were filed, and only eight were denied.  Lindquist is among those denied.  He went above and beyond the call of duty, risking his life to protect those who could not protect themselves.  He nearly died for his efforts, and deserves better than "at least you have your health."  It's a bitter smack in the face to those who take their duty as caregivers seriously.  His life will be forever ruined because of his act of greatness, and before the tornado he was like so many who cannot afford health insurance.  On one end or the other, this poor guy deserves a break.  However, he isn't likely to get one.  And that, friends, is the reality of a hero in today's world.