Bryon Solberg, MD, an anesthesiologist from San Diego, is a partially paralyzed paraplegic. But that hasn’t stopped him from completing more than 214 marathons with the aid of canes and braces—including the Big Cottonwood Marathon earlier this month. Nicolé Hilary, a scrub tech from Labor & Delivery at Alta View Hospital, was a medical volunteer at the race and met Dr. Solberg at the finish line.
“I spoke with him at the end of the race to make sure he was ok,” Nicolé says. “I made sure he was in no pain and was comfortable. I said, ‘Welcome to Utah!’ Then he left.”
Dr. Solberg found Nicolé later to let her know how much he appreciated her help and attention. He said usually no one greets him at the finish line and no one he knew was waiting for him there, so he was very grateful to be greeted by Nicole’s smiling face. They had a photo taken together and he went out of his way to make sure she got a copy of it.
“Even though she had her face mask on, I could tell right away from her eyes that she was a nice, caring person,” Dr. Solberg says. “She also had a kind voice.”
“This guy walked the entire race with a cane!” Nicolé says. “I was so enlightened by his story and his attitude, the way he still lives and gives kindness. My husband was killed last year in a motorcycle accident and I really struggle with sadness and self-worth. Bryon inspired me and showed me I have a little bit of light left to give. Thank you, Bryon, for your sunshine and for courageously showing us all how it’s done.”
Nicolé says this story is a great example of how when caregivers volunteer, they often benefit as well.
“We volunteer in the community thinking we’re helping them, but it’s really them helping us,” she says.