Heroes don't always wear capes

Heroes come in many shapes, forms and sizes. Some wear capes, others wear combat boots and sometimes heroes wear suits and ties.link

Clovis High School's hero wore a pink tutu with a black beaded dress on Saturday night when she was unexpectedly announced prom queen — but that's not what makes her a hero.

Two years ago, Faith Cano, 17, underwent surgery that would improve blood flow to her heart. The surgeon, her mother said, nicked Faith's brain stem and changed her life forever.

“Faith was a happy, healthy high school cheerleader,” said her mother, Viola Cano. “And two years ago in May was injured, and put in a wheelchair.”

Faith went from a lively cheerleader to being in a coma. When she woke up, she had lost her motor skills.

Faith never gave up. She went from a coma, to using a wheelchair, to walking with help from a walker. On Saturday night, she busted a few moves on the dance floor with her boyfriend, Adan Martinez.

Her determination to overcome these insurmountable obstacles, to tackle them and show the world that, yes, she can achieve her goals, is what makes her so inspiring. That is what makes her a hero.

Students at Clovis High School thought so, too, and the prom court decided to give up their crowns and hand them to Faith and Adan.

“They made the decision to give Faith that honor; they wanted them representing them,” Viola said. “If she wasn't cheering with them she was cheering for them.”

Faith's friend, Nela Dixon, can vouch that cheerleaders, football players and basketball players definitely had a cheerleader inspiring them in the stands at every single game when times got challenging.

“When we get lazy, we have a reality check,” Nela said. “She'd love to be with us senior year, so stop being lazy and get your butt up and do what you have to do. She led us. Anything is possible if you believe and you walk with faith.”

Even her name has some significance to it. Nela said Faith experienced difficulties when she was born, so her parents changed her name to Faith.

“Ever since then she's been giving faith to everyone around her. It was perfect for everyone for what she gives everyone,” Nela said.

Faith has someone very close to her that has given her faith in return since fourth grade. Adan stuck by her side through her coma, through rehabilitation and over the last two years.

“When she was in a coma, it was talking about him when she reacted for the first time,” Viola said. “When she didn't have enough muscles in her face to react, she would light up when you said his name. Most grown men couldn't handle this situation and a high school kid who doesn't feel the pressure of life after all this … he is committed to her.”

Her mother said love, support and her own determination have healed Faith the most.

Love, after all, is the only thing we all — including heroes — need.

— Brittney Cannon is a deputy editor at Clovis Media Inc. Contact her at: [email protected]