Need Some Inspiration? Look No Further Than These Amazing Stories

For more than a month, Patch and Grape-Nuts have teamed up to present stories about your neighbors, neighbors who have faced challenges that would seem insurmountable to many of us. 

But not to the people we've featured in this series, Journeys.
Not surprisingly, the stories have generated dozens of comments on Patch and on Facebook: "Great story..." "Thanks for sharing..." "So wonderfully inspiring..." 

And, so, here they are again. Great stories shared to inspire. Take a look at what these people have faced. Then click on the story to see their responses. 

Eliza and Lee Florian
After Toddler's Death, Connecticut Family Channels Grief Into Action: A couple pushes for a law requiring newborn screening for Adrenoleukodystrophy, a disorder that suddenly claimed the life of their toddler Joshua Seth.

Colleen Alexander 
Cyclist’s Near-Death Experience Inspires Her to Help Others: Colleen Alexander advocates for bicycle safety measures after a 30-ton freight truck went through a stop sign and slammed into her, crushing her and leaving her near death.

Adam Bowles 
Former Journalist Turned Pastor Puts Words Into Action: After visiting an earthquake-devastated Haiti, Adam Bowles came home and quit his job at the newspaper to start a charity to help the victims of the earthquake. 

Kim Green
A Mom Fights Cancer with Indomitable Spirit: Kim Green has been living with stage 4 breast cancer for 15 years yet summons energy to help others, becoming Eucharistic minister. She completed studies to become a lay minister and now ministers to the homebound, through a ministry called HEAL (Health, Encouragement And Love) she founded at her church, St. Peter Claver.

Brad Kleinerman and James “Flint” Gehre
Couple Fights Discrimination Against Same-Sex Marriage: Brad Kleinerman and James “Flint” Gehre consider themselves fortunate to live in a state where gay marriage is legal, but they want the same rights and responsibilities granted to other married couples by the federal government. Their goal is to see the defeat of the Defense of Marriage Act.

Dave Stevens
Congenital Amputee Competes Despite Disability: ESPN’s Dave Stevens keeps active playing baseball and giving motivational speeches despite being born without legs.

Lynn Riordan
Mom Channels Grief Into Crusade for Safe Driving: Since her son Matt Picciuto's death in May 2009, Matt’s mother, Lynn Riordan, has channeled her grief into a crusade against destructive driving decisions and speeding. She has also turned her tragedy into a personal gift to her community by creating a nonprofit organization – Matt's Mission – dedicated to supporting local students and families in need.

Colleen Alleyne 
Wife Donates Kidney to Husband With No Hesitation: Colleen Alleyne turned out to be a match for a kidney donation for her husband, Michael, who for years suffered from polycystic kidney disease and also is a diabetic, but first she needed to lose 20 pounds. Although she had been working out steadily prior to learning this, the weight was not coming off easily. 

Tracey Gamer
Mom's Cancer Struggle Prompts Medical Marijuana Advocacy: After surviving a malignant brain tumor, Tracey Gamer co-founded the Connecticut Brain Tumor Alliance for brain cancer research and patient support. Gamer has also become an advocate for medical marijuana, hoping to remove fears and stigma about the treatment by becoming the public face of a medical marijuana patient.