How one faces adversity is a choice, ex-pro Spielman tells Help Hotline crowd

POLAND

Hope can spring from loss, said Chris Spielman, former professional football player and co-founder of the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research.

Spielman was the featured speaker for Help Hotline Crisis Center’s Campaign 2015 fundraiser event Tuesday night at The Lake Club.

In dealing with difficult circumstances, even at their darkest, there is light, said Spielman, whose wife, Stefanie, died at 42 of breast cancer in 2009, leaving him with four children, 15, 13, 8 and 6, to raise.

Speaking before the program, Spielman said how one faces adversity comes down to choices.

“You can chose triumph or tragedy, peace over pain, and joy over sadness,” he said.

“Stephanie was sick for 12 years. I knew what she wanted. My promise to her was to find a way,” Spielman said quietly.

In life, bad things happen and people have to find strength, whether it be through faith, music or books, he said.

Read more of his remarks in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.