When we are being attacked, physically or psychologically, it is usually our nature to go on the defensive, to save ourselves.
Having the guts and instinct to choose someone else’s well-being in a time of crisis takes training and practice by a special kind of person- unless you are one young boy from Wyoming.
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes- and that couldn’t be more true than in a recent case of bravery.
When a person is faced with imminent danger the fight or flight response kicks in and a burst of epinephrine in your bloodstream prepares you for either event.
For most humans, flight is the choice du jour, but 6-year old Bridger Walker exemplified incredible courage when he was attacked by a dog.
His aunt, Nicole Walker, shared his heroic story on Instagram, getting admiration from thousands of users, as well as some celebrities.
While Bridger and his little sister were playing outside on July 9, a dog charged at them unexpectedly.
There was only a split second to react, but in that pivotal, seemingly life or death moment, Bridger jumped in front of his sister, enduring a grueling attack of several bites.
What was going through his mind before the incident occurred will amaze you.
“If someone was going to die, I thought it should be me,” he later reported.
His heroism didn’t end there!
Even though he was dripping with blood from a wounded face, he took his sister’s hand to run her to safety.
The images of Bridger’s injuries are hard to bear.
He received a whopping 90 stitches!
But despite his confrontation with danger and his painful wounds, Bridger came home from the hospital with his smiling disposition in tact, his aunt reports on Instagram.
There has been a Go Fund Me page set up to help with medical expenses.
In addition to financial assistance, Nicole Walker has requested people show support for Bridger by sending interesting rocks for his collection.
The initial post about Bridger’s bravery received a staggering 149,000 likes, and that number is only climbing.
Viewers can’t get enough of this incredible young man’s bravery, writing comments such as “ABSOLUTE LEGEND,” and “You are real life super hero lil man!!”
Several actors who play superheroes were tagged in the post of the incident, resulting in A-list celebrities weighing in.
Mark Ruffalo who plays the Hulk in the Avengers movie chimed in by writing:
“Real courage isn’t dominating people or fighting against people or walking around like a tough guy. Real courage is knowing what is right to do and doing it even when it might end up hurting you somehow.”
Bridger, like most of the nation right now, is a big fan of Captain America, so when he received a video call from Chris Evans he was beyond ecstatic, The Daily Wire reports.
Evans told Bridger how he heard about his story online and said, “Pal, you’re a hero,” adding “What you did was so brave, so selfless — you’re sister is so lucky to have you as a big brother. Your parents must be so proud of you.”
Fully dressed in a little Captain America uniform, Bridger was told he could expect to get a real Captain America shield in the mail soon.
What Bridger had to go through was horrendous, but his demonstration of love and bravery for his family is inspirational to say the least.
The world could use a little of that right now.