Young Heroes: 5 Most Uplifting Stories of the Week

Who says role models need to be adults? Two stories about kids highlight the week's most uplifting stories:

• Kids Stop Kidnapping of Toddler: Police say a 15-year-old boy donned a disguise and tried to kidnap a 22-month-old toddler in the small town of Sprague, Wash. What the would-be abductor didn't plan on? Two other teenagers stepping up.
• Players Walk Off Court to Protect Friend: During a game in Kenosha, Wis., the players from Lincoln Middle School realized that kids in the stands were making fun of one of their cheerleaders—a girl with Down syndrome named Desiree Andrews. They walked into the stands to make the taunts stop, and Desiree's dad had a little trouble saying thanks.

• Waitress Gets Nice Tip, Nicer Note: A waitress in Tennessee was brought to tears this week by customer's tip and note. It all involved honoring a late brother on his birthday with a special meal—and a very specific tip.
• Robert Downey Jr. Presents 'Iron Man' Arm to Boy: Not only did Alex Pring, 7, receive an Iron Man-themed prosthetic arm: None other than Robert Downey Jr. presented it to him. Alex's bionic prosthetic limb was made by Limbitless Solutions, a nonprofit run by University of Central Florida students. The cost is astonishing, but in a good way.
• In Face of Chimp-Maul Victim, Military Holds Great Hope: Most of America watched in horror as a Connecticut woman lost her face and hands in a 2009 chimp mauling that she barely survived. But the Pentagon watched with more than passing interest, and now her ordeal might improve treatment for injured vets. "I think there's an overarching purpose in her life," says her surgeon. "She really wants to help in whatever way she can."

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