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Scientists Are ‘Thrilled’ to Report That Hawaiian Coral Reefs Are Finally Stabilizing After Mass Bleaching

By
McKinley Corbley
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Roughly four years after the worst mass bleaching event in Hawaii, scientists are “thrilled” to say that the state’s coral reefs are finally stabilizing.

According to surveys conducted by The Nature Conservancy, Hawaiian coral reefs are showing signs of growth and stabilization. The healthier reefs were generally located away from excessive exposure to human influences, but even the vulnerable cauliflower coral species that experienced 98% bleaching in 2015 has shown signs of recovery.

“Bleaching events like what occurred in 2015 can overstress a coral reef to the point where it may never recover,” said Eric Conklin, director of marine science for the organization’s Hawaii program, as reported by West Hawaii Today.

RELATED: Man Postpones Retirement to Save Reefs After He Accidentally Discovers How to Make Coral Grow 40 Times Faster

“We surveyed over 14,000 coral colonies at 20 sites along the West Hawaii coast from Kawaihae to Keauhou and were thrilled to see that many of the area’s reefs have stabilized, which is the first step toward recovery.”

The news outlet goes on to say that only 6% of state waters and 12% of nearshore waters are currently managed by the Hawaiian government — but legislators are aiming to increase nearshore protection to 30% over the course of the next eleven years.

With the help of the TNC surveys, state lawmakers hope to implement legislation that will efficiently protect reefs from stressors such as pollution runoff and commercial fishing.

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Watch 9-Year-old Rush to Take Off His Shoes So He Can Give Them to a Homeless Boy on the Street

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Good News Network
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While adults are working to provide housing for the homeless, this youngster took it upon himself to give a little boy his shoes and socks.

9-year-old Cheikh Faizal was walking with his father through Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia last week when they passed a transit station that is often frequented by homeless people.

Cheikh then spotted a barefooted homeless boy sitting with his mother on the street. According to Chekih’s father Sofian, his son felt compelled to help the youngster because he looked about the same age as Cheikh.

Cheikh then ran to the boy’s side, sat down, and removed his sneakers and socks so he could personally put them on the feet of his new friend. Not only that, he gave the boy several kisses on the cheek before continuing down the street with his father.

LOOK: China’s ‘Ice Boy’ Has New Home–and New Hope–After Viral Photo Sparked Flood of Donations

Sofian was so proud of his son’s compassion, he filmed the exchange and later posted it to social media in hopes that it would inspire other people.

“My son saw the young boy without shoes and made the decision to help him,” said Sofian.
“He showed his love for everyone there, even though they are homeless. He then went home without his shoes.

“Hopefully, everybody in the world will see this positive message and we can make life better for every human being. There are many homeless people but if everybody makes a small gesture of kindness we can improve their lives.”

(WATCH the video below) — Photo by Viral Press

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Hospital ‘Bouncer’ Nurses Are Saving Lives By Dramatically Cutting Down on Hospital Waiting Times

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Good News Network
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A British hospital has unveiled the nation’s first hospital “bouncer” nurses to redirect non-urgent patients away from emergency rooms — and the initiative has already reduced waiting times dramatically.

The “gatekeeper” nursing staffers are stationed at the front door before receptionists
so they can immediately assess patients when they arrive. They can then decide if they are in genuine need of urgent care — and if not, the nurses can then redirect the patients to their pharmacies or general practitioners.

The initiative at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital is aimed at cutting waiting times for overstretched emergency room departments, and it has already made a dramatic difference.

Known as “clinical streaming”, the procedure is always carried out by a trained clinician. Furthermore, it operates under the strict policy that no one is sent home, only redirected to other professionals.

RELATED: Blue Light Reduces Blood Pressure, Just as Effectively as Medication – UK Study

Streaming nurse Deborah Thompson is waiting at the door to greet patients before they even get to the receptionist so she can ask a few basic questions and tell the patient where they should go.

“It has sped up times in the A&E because the doctors and nurses aren’t seeing the minor cases,” says Thompson. “People who come here with a sore throat or a chest infection thinking that they should attend an emergency department and clearly it’s not appropriate.”

Meanwhile in other parts of the country, the pressure on emergency departments is ramping up, says The Royal College of Emergency Medicine — and senior A&E doctors are warning that hospitals are teetering on the edge of safety.

LOOK: Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins Pay $2 Million to Bring Hundreds of Therapy Dogs into Children’s Hospitals

Thompson added: “If we weren’t streaming, the department would be packed and there would be people sitting here for hours on end when they don’t need to be.”

Tracey Turley, another streaming assessment nurse practitioner in Bournemouth, said: “An ED streaming service is not a new concept, but it is one that the Trust has seen a great deal of benefit from.

“As an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, we are able to identify patients’ needs quickly and refer to the most appropriate service available. Providing this service ensures patient safety is paramount, and no patient will be sent away without a suitable clinical pathway.”

Leanne Aggas, who is an emergency department matron, added: “It is important to bear in mind however that A&E is not an alternative to a GP appointment. If your GP is closed, you can call 111 which will direct you to the best local service.”

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After He Suffered From String of Bad Luck, Watch Families Open Their Hearts to Crossing Guard

By
Ryan Morris
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Being a crossing guard can often be a thankless job — but after experiencing a string of bad luck, Wallace Peoples was recently given one of the most heartfelt gifts of all.

Peoples has worked for Sherwood Forest Elementary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina for two years, and in that short time, he has become a “superhero” to the students, parents, and staffers.

“He’s just extraordinary,” one student told WXII. “He helps all of us and keeps us safe, and we all love him.”

Last month, Peoples was unable to come into work because his car broke down. On top of that, the school community discovered that Peoples had spent Christmas Eve in the hospital. Having noticed his absence and heard about his misfortune, school parent Sloane Johnson took to Facebook to find him some help.

LOOK: When Stranger Finds Lost Wallet on Airplane, He Returns It to Owner With Even More Cash Inside

The response was immediate. “Within a span of two hours, we had $800 raised and a car donated by another parent,” Johnson remarked.

That very same week, Peoples was taken by surprise when a group of parents and students greeted him with signs, cheers, applause, and a donated SUV.  As if this wasn’t enough, they included a check for $2,500.

“…they showed me so much love,” Peoples tearfully told the news outlet. “And I don’t take it lightly…”

As he starts his new car with a smile, it’s clear that Peoples will be arriving on time for a job he loves in order to ensure the safety of those who love him too.

(WATCH the video below) — Photo by WXII

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“I will never be an old man. To me, old age is always 15 years older than I am.” – Sir Francis Bacon

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Good News Network
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Quote of the Day: “I will never be an old man. To me, old age is always 15 years older than I am.” – Sir Francis Bacon

Photo: by Matt Preston, CC license via Flickr

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quotes page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Tanzania is Finally Protecting its ‘Globally Unique’ Endangered Rainforest After 40 Years of Research

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Good News Network
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Conservationists are rejoicing over Tanzania’s latest announcement that they will be protecting a globally unique forest ecosystem in East Africa, following research that demonstrated it is under threat from illegal activities including tree-cutting for charcoal and the poaching of elephants and other animals.

Previous research had shown that the Magombera Forest in Tanzania could disappear by 2018 if action wasn’t taken to protect it.

A conservation program, called the Udzungwa Forest Project and the Tanzania Forest Conservation Group (TFCG) and with help from local villages, demonstrated the significance of the unique wildlife and importance of the land to the people of the region.

In 2018, the Udzungwa Forest Project and TFCG, reached their target of $1 million to protect the forest in partnership with nearby villages and the Tanzania Forest Services Agency.

RELATED: Island on the Brink of Disaster Plants Thousands of Trees and is Now a Poster Kid for Adapting to Climate Change

The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, with financial and scientific support from the several conservation groups, will now create a 6,463-acre Magombera Nature Reserve to protect the plants and animals of the forest.

“Protection for these lands follows more than 40 years of research and consultation,” said project leader, Dr. Andy Marshall of the University of York. “When I first began work in the forest 15 years ago, it was clearly a biologically important place, but it rang with the sound of axes and machetes.

“Over the past few years we have worked with local villages to find alternative sources for wood and have even managed to reduce the frequency of wildfires, invasive vines and tree-cutting in Magombera, leading to thousands of small trees now growing back into the once almost empty forest.”

The conservation value of the forest first became known in the 1970s, but received international attention through the discovery of a new chameleon species that was spotted escaping the jaws of a snake by University of York researcher, Dr Andy Marshall, in 2009.

CHECK OUT: The Best Environmental News of 2018 — Earth Seems to be in Good Hands After All

The discovery of several new species of monkeys, trees, and chameleons was reportedly a major incentive for increased donor support and interest in protection of the forest.

“As well as the Magombera chameleon and the red colobus monkey, the region is also home to numerous other internationally threatened species of plants and animals, including the Udzungwa dwarf galago, African elephants, and hippopotamus,” said Dr. Paul Salaman, Chief Executive Officer of Rainforest Trust, one of the organizations contributing to the park’s protection.

“It is also an important place for local communities who depend on the adjacent land for rice and sugar farming.”

Without the environmental services provided by the adjacent forest, the agricultural region would become under serious threat from floods and soil erosion, making life in the surrounding villages increasing challenging.

MORE: Swiss Businessman is Contributing $1 Billion Towards Protecting 30% of the Planet

In partnership with the Udzungwa Forest Project, additional funds from Rainforest Trust are now being used to develop and implement a conservation management plan for the new reserve, which will include the ways in which tourists can visit the forest, to the benefit of the local communities, and view the colobus monkeys without disrupting any wildlife habitats.

“The Magombera Nature Reserve will break boundaries in forest conservation in Tanzania, by ensuring that tourist entrance fees will go both to local communities and to the government managing authority,” said Charles Meshack, Executive Director at TFCG.

“This is a major achievement for forest conservation that will help both wildlife and people, in a way that differs from any other reserve that I know.”

(Source: University of York)

Plant Some Positivity By Sharing The Good News With Your Friends — Photos by Dr. Andrew Marshall

Photo of Multitasking Mom At Work Drums Up Support for Other Working Mothers

By
McKinley Corbley
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This multitasking mom has garnered a flood of appreciation and support after her boss posted a photo of her effortlessly juggling job duties with a baby girl in hand.

Melody Blackwell works at Maryland Farms Chiropractic in Brentwood, Tennessee. After enjoying three months of maternal leave with her newborn daughter Nora-Jo, she returned to work last month.

Blackwell’s boss, Dr. Elizabeth Baker, has been working with Blackwell in order to ensure that her work schedule is as flexible as possible in order to accommodate her parenting duties.

LOOK: Strangers Offer Flood of Support for White Mom Who’s ‘Clueless’ About Styling Black Daughter’s Hair

Since Blackwell primarily handles insurance billing for the clinic, she has been able to do most of her work from home — but when Baker recently walked past the young mother at her desk during one of her first days back at the office, the chiropractor was impressed by what she saw.

In a viral picture which Baker later uploaded to Facebook, Blackwell can be seen cradling her sleeping baby in one arm while simultaneously cradling a phone against her ear and taking notes with her other hand.

“She makes it look so easy,” marveled Baker.

Struck by her employee’s casual disposition, Baker snapped a photo and posted it to the clinic’s social media page where it was shared hundreds of times.

She says she published the photo in hopes of increasing awareness and support for accommodating working mothers.

“We need more small and large businesses to see this is doable and should be allowed more often! The newborn months are so short,” wrote Baker. “[Blackwell] has transitioned to working from home mostly, but comes in when we need the extra hands. She’s still breastfeeding and baby needs mama!”

MORE: Three Women Are Being Praised for Coming to the Rescue of Stressed Mother at the Airport

Blackwell says that she was delighted when her boss first proposed working remotely, as the costs of daycare can often be debilitating to a family’s finances. Baker was even the one to suggest that Blackwell could bring her daughter into work once a week in order to attend the weekly staff meetings — and far from being a nuisance, the staffers and patients have been delighted to have Nora-Jo’s sweet face in the office.

Though Blackwell understands that some workplaces are less able to accommodate children and babies, she hopes that the clinic’s positive experience with Nora-Jo will encourage other businesses to consider similar options.

“If it’s an environment where baby crying is okay,” she told Yahoo! News, “I think more small and large businesses should look more towards allowing that.”

(WATCH the video below)  — Photo by Maryland Farms Chiropractic

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Thinking About Loved Ones is Just as Effective for Reducing Stress and Blood Pressure as Having Them in the Room

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Good News Network
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Next time you’re faced with a stressful situation, this new study says that you can keep your blood pressure and stress levels under control simply by thinking about your romantic partner — and it is apparently just as effective as having your partner in the same room.

A new study from the University of Arizona asked 102 participants to complete a stressful task: submerging their foot into 3 inches of cold water ranging from 38 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Researchers measured participants’ blood pressure before and after the task.

The participants, all of whom were in committed romantic relationships that had lasted longer than a month, were randomly assigned to one of three conditions when completing the task. One group had their significant other sitting quietly in the same room with them during the task; another group was instructed to think about their romantic partner as a source of support during the task; and the final group was instructed to think about their day during the task as a control.

Surprisingly, the group that was only required to think about their partner had a much lower blood pressure response to the cold water than the control group. Not only that, the group that focused on the mental image of their partner showed the same rate of decreased blood pressure as the group participants who had their partners in the same room.

RELATED: This Inspiring Couple Made It Their New Year’s Resolution to Go On 52 Dates – and They Are About to Succeed

Although previous studies have suggested that having a partner present or visualizing a partner can help manage the body’s physiological response to stress, the new study, which was led by psychology doctoral student Kyle Bourassa and published in Psychophysiology, suggests that the two things are equally effective — at least when it comes to blood pressure reactivity.

The findings may help explain, in part, why high-quality romantic relationships are consistently associated with positive health outcomes in the scientific literature, Bourassa said.

“This suggests that one way being in a romantic relationship might support people’s health is through allowing people to better cope with stress and lower levels of cardiovascular reactivity to stress across the day,” Bourassa said. “And it appears that thinking of your partner as a source of support can be just as powerful as actually having them present.”

WATCH: Customers Keep Buying Up All of Donut Shop’s Pastries So He Can Go Home Early to Be With Ailing Wife

Future studies should look at members of the general community in varying age ranges, Bourassa said.

If replicated, the findings could have implications for those facing everyday stressful situations, said Bourassa, who co-authored the study with UA psychologists David Sbarra and John Ruiz.

“Life is full of stress, and one critical way we can manage this stress is through our relationships – either with our partner directly or by calling on a mental image of that person,” Bourassa said. “There are many situations, including at work, with school exams or even during medical procedures, where we would benefit from limiting our degree of blood pressure reactivity, and these findings suggest that a relational approach to doing so can be quite powerful.”

(Source: University of Arizona)

Be Sure And Share This Sweet Piece Of Science With Your Friends On Social Media — Photo by University of Arizona

Watch Golden Retriever Lead Ambulance Through a Maze of Alleyways to Save His Owner

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Good News Network
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Paramedics may have had a very difficult time locating their patient if it had not been for a devoted Golden retriever who was waiting to show them the way to its owner.

The Chinese emergency crew had received a call about a garbage man who had collapsed in a residential alleyway in Yuncheng, Shanxi Province.

As their ambulance rushed through the narrow alleyways, a Golden Retriever suddenly appeared in front of the vehicle.

RELATED: Girl Who Could Die From Any Strong Smell is Saved by a Specially-Trained Dog

Instead of simply moving out of the ambulance’s path, however, it started to lead them in the direction of its collapsed owner.

Dashcam footage shows the dog anxiously looking over its shoulder several times in order to make sure the paramedics are following it before the pup picks up speed and runs through the maze of alleyways.

Thanks to the dog’s clever hand in the rescue, paramedics were able to find the man and bring him to the hospital for treatment.

(WATCH the video below) — Feature photo by Pear Video

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“Forget mistakes. Forget failures. Forget everything except what you’re going to do now and do it. Today is your lucky day.” – Will Durant

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Quote of the Day: “Forget mistakes. Forget failures. Forget everything except what you’re going to do now and do it. Today is your lucky day.” – Will Durant

Photo: Col de Joux Plane, The Alps, by will_cyclist, CC license

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quotes page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

 

This Gymnast’s Performance Was So Flawless and Fun, She Scored a Perfect 10 – and Millions of Views

By
McKinley Corbley
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A panel of judges gave Katelyn Ohashi a perfect score after she delivered a show-stopping gymnastics routine last week – and based on how the performance has already racked up millions of views on YouTube, it’s not hard to see why.

The 21-year-old UCLA student was awarded full marks during the college meet performance last week. Not only is Ohashi being praised for executing a flawless series of flips and tricks, she also punctuated her routine with an infectious sense of fun.

Throughout the entire routine – which included tunes from Tina Turner, Michel Jackson, and Earth, Wind & Fire – Ohashi can be seen dancing with sass, radiance, effortless self-confidence, and a contagiously stunning smile. Her fellow gymnasts can even be seen excitedly copying her moves from the edge of the stage.

The routine earned a perfect ten from the judges, which is the sixth of her college career, according to The New York Times. Additionally, the viral performance has garnered praise from California Senator Kamala Harris and Rev. Jesse Jackson on Twitter.

RELATED: Grocery Worker’s Dream Comes True When Music School Sees This Viral Video and Invites Him to Apply

The curly-haired gymnast is renowned for winning the American Cup in 2013, which involved beating future Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles.

Though injuries and body image issues deterred Ohashi from ever competing at an Olympic level, she says that she has found more peace and joy from competing alongside the UCLA Athletics team.

Ohashi says that she plans on continuing to use the toe-tapping routine throughout the NCAA championships in April.

(WATCH the jazzy performance below)

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Refugee-Run Restaurant Voted ‘Nicest Place in America’ is Now Feeding Furloughed Workers Too

By
McKinley Corbley
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This refugee-run restaurant was voted to be the Nicest Place in America last year – and its latest initiative to care for furloughed government workers only reenforces the title.

Yassin’s Falafel House in Knoxville, Tennessee has been offering free meals to federal employees who have not been receiving paychecks since the US government shut down in December.

RELATED: Instead of Dumping Rejected Food Shipments into Landfills, Truckers Are Donating Them to Local Charities

Furthermore, local community members are pitching in to cover the costs of the free meals by making donations to the restaurant.

“Government employees are our brothers and sisters and they are not going be alone during the longest shutdown and we can’t be the nicest place in America if we leave them alone,” the restaurant wrote on Facebook.

The owner of the restaurant, a Syrian refugee named Yassin Terou, has become a beloved part of the community since he migrated to the US in 2011.

For the last four years, Terou has used the restaurant as a neighborhood sanctuary for everyone, regardless of their religion, race, or politics. During a local candlelit vigil in 2017, Terou was praised for reaching out to a man who attended the gathering and spent the event yelling to the crowds about how immigrants were stealing American jobs.

Instead of reciprocating the man’s venom, however, Terou approached him and offered to buy him dinner so they could talk – and he even offered the man a job at his restaurant.

(WATCH the news coverage below) – Feature photo by Yassin’s Falafel House

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Aldi Celebrates Record-Breaking Year By Giving UK Employees a Raise Above the Living Wage

By
McKinley Corbley
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Aldi, the beloved international supermarket chain, reported record-breaking income for 2018 – and they are celebrating the milestone by giving their UK employees a raise.

For the first time ever, the company made over £12 billion ($15.6 billion) in income from the UK and Ireland stores.

As a means of touting the achievement, the German-based corporation is raising the hourly wages of UK workers from £8.85 to £9.10. Furthermore, they are raising the hourly wages of London workers from £10.20 to £10.55.

RELATED: M&M Parent Company Commits $1 Billion to Stopping Child Labor and Other Injustices

The new hourly wages outside of London are above the “real living wage” rates recommended by the Living Wage Foundation, which only continues to reenforce Aldi’s status as the UK’s best-paying supermarket.

According to iNews, Aldi’s UK store managers also make roughly double the average starting salary of a junior doctor or a newly-hired police officer.

“Our store colleagues do a fantastic job every day and the excellent service they produce to customers is a key reason why we are the UK’s fastest-growing supermarket,” said Aldi UK CEO Giles Hurley.

MORE: Massive Company That Sells Your Favorite Cookies and Crackers Cuts Ties With Palm Oil Firms That Destroy Forests

“We’re committed to being the best supermarket employer in Britain and this means rewarding our colleagues for the excellent job they do with market-leading rates of pay and opportunities to process their career at Aldi.”

Aldi currently has about 800 stores in the UK alone, and they hope to open another 65 branches over the course of the next year, which will create roughly 2,500 new jobs.

Pay This Good News Forward By Sharing It With Your Friends On Social Media – File photo by Stephen McKay, CC

56% of Americans Give Their Cars Names – 15 of the Funniest Reveal Love-Hate Relationship

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Good News Network
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Does your car have a name? Do you talk to it regularly or even feel guilty driving another vehicle? If so, you are not alone.

Americans see their cars as so much more than just a vehicle. A new poll finds 60 percent of drivers consider their cars to be full-fledged members of the family—nearly as many owners seal this bond by naming their four-wheeled friends.

What goes into the naming process? Results found that 42 percent get their names from a prominent feature, like the color or the sound it makes. Other name inspirations come from movies, TV shows, and songs (20 percent) or famous cars and celebrities (17 percent).

The survey of 2,000 American motorists was conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Toco Warranty, a company that wants to preserve the car-driver bond for as long as possible.

Our Favorite 15 Names:

The Bug Slayer
Earth Mover
Baby Sweet Lil’ Kayden
Cujo
Fancy Jenny
Grease Lightning
Uriah (Note: “because it was a heap”)
Kermit
Lil’ Speedz
Miss Tigglywinkle
Muscle boy
Autohoward
Optimus Punto
Professor Yaffle
Yoda

Not surprisingly, the survey also found that 40% of us regularly talk to our vehicles. For 63% of owners, car conversations are primarily encouraging the car to go faster or make it up a hill.

Half of the car owners describe their car as having a “trustworthy” personality and more than one in three say their car’s personality is “fun.” Twenty-two percent believe their car is “charming”.

But mostly, it was the vehicle’s reliability that cemented its ties with the heart of a family—that, and the long-lasting memories.

Beyond vacations, the average owner sleeps more than two nights in their car, and says they have on three occasions consummated a romantic encounter.

Guy Makes Everybody Smile When He Picks Up His Girlfriend in Themed Cars Every Single Day

Seven Years After Undergoing Experimental MS Treatment, Woman is Still Experiencing No Symptoms

By
McKinley Corbley
-

Despite spending the last 9 years living with multiple sclerosis, this Alaskan mother is no longer experiencing any symptoms of the debilitating disease thanks to an experimental new treatment.

Amanda Loy was first diagnosed with MS when she was just 27 years old. Even though she was placed on a plethora of medications and spent endless hours in the hospital undergoing different treatments, she quickly started to suffer from bladder problems and loss of motor function, which made it especially difficult for her to raise her young son.

For two years, she saw little improvement in her condition – but then she heard about how researchers at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago were conducting an international study on an experimental new stem cell therapy for MS.

The treatment works by using chemotherapy to weaken a patient’s immune system. The researchers then inject the patient with a collection of their own stem cells which then rebuild the immune system from the ground up so that it can properly fight the disease.

RELATED: Boy Thought to Be Nonverbal Can Speak After Dentist Discovers He is Simply ‘Tongue-Tied’

Loy qualified to be one of the 55 patients who received the treatment after her condition continued to deteriorate in 2012. Days after being released from the hospital, she says she noticed immediate improvement.

“It was little things. Like I didn’t have to sit down to get dressed,” Loy told KTVA. “In that first year, I feel like I had all these big improvements of my symptoms, so that one by one, I stopped taking all the medications I was on before.”

MORE: Lung Cancer Patient Given a Year to Live is in Remission Thanks to Cuban Vaccine

Seven years later, Loy no longer experiences any symptoms of the disease. She even scored a zero on the MS Disability Status Scale, which physicians use to rank the severity of the disease’s symptoms.

Additionally, the researchers have spent the last five years following up with the other study participants, and all of the patients who received the stem cell therapy are faring significantly better than those who received drug treatments.

Loy, who is now training to complete her first marathon in Anchorage, and she says she hopes that the treatment will soon offer the same kind of life-changing transformation to other MS patients, too.

(WATCH the video below) – Photo by Amanda Loy

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“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” – Mahatma Gandhi

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Good News Network
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Quote of the Day: “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Photo: Copyright GWC

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quotes page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Advice From a ‘Shark Tank’ Star: Why the Challenges of Starting Your Own Business are 100% Worth It

By
Ryan Morris
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The Lesson: As an entrepreneur, finding your calling may be extraordinarily difficult – even terrifying. You may cycle between a few different business ideas before settling on one that works with your personality, interests, and skillsets – but once you’ve overcome those hardships and found a business that works for you, there are dozens of invaluable benefits that come from owning a business and answering only to yourself.

Notable Excerpt: “I didn’t have to get a check from a boss, nobody told me when to come to work or go to work, I can’t get fired from this because of my color, creed, or whatever the case is – I’m responsible for what’s happening here and I will either fail because of the decision I make or succeed because of every decision I make.”

The Guest: Daymond John is an entrepreneurial advisor on the hit television show Shark Tank and the author of “The Power of Broke” – a book on “how empty pockets, a tight budget, and a hunger for success can become your greatest competitive advantage”.

The Host: After spending years of his young life and athletic career struggling with his own emotional wellbeing, a crippling injury left Lewis Howes without an identity and without any work. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, however, Howes recreated himself as a multi-million dollar media producer, motivational speaker, bestselling author, and podcast host. The ex-football player now spends his days chatting with the most inspirational icons of our generation on his School of Greatness podcast.

Podcast: The School of Greatness podcast is available for download on Soundcloud and iTunes. You can also watch footage of the interviews on Howes’s YouTube channel.

Books: Howes is the author of the New York Times bestselling book “The School of Greatness”: an in-depth collection of lessons and wisdom that he has gathered from interviewing hundreds of the world’s greatest role models and thinkers. Howes’s latest book, “The Mask of Masculinity”, is based on his experience with the dangerous stereotypes and expectations that are placed on men in modern society.

(LISTEN to the inspiring talk below)

Good Advice? SHARE It – Or Check Out More On Our Good Talks Page…

Instead of Selling Her $1.7 Million Home, Woman is Giving It Away to the Winner of a Letter-Writing Contest

By
McKinley Corbley
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If you are looking to live in a magnificent $1.7 million home in the scenic hills of Canada, then this woman is asking you to write her a letter.

Ever since Alla Wagner suffered a back injury last year, she has been unable to manage the stairs of her 5,000-square-foot home in Millarville, Alberta.

Home care nurses suggested that she upgrade the house to accommodate her disability, but she couldn’t bear to change its beloved structure.

“I view this home as a work of art and I don’t want to make changes to it that’s going to compromise it’s look and the value and craftsmanship that’s in this home,” Wagner told CTV News.

RELATED: Café That Hires and Feeds the Homeless Has Just Built a Village for Their Rough Sleeping Employees

She spent several months trying to sell the home, but to no avail. Instead of giving up, however, Wagner got an idea.

Wagner is hosting a letter-writing contest in which she is asking strangers to write about why they want to live in her home.

The “Write a Letter, Win a House” contest will be accepting up to 68,000 submissions. As a means of Wagner recouping the cost of her home, participants are asked to pay $25 for their application.

LOOK: America’s First Permitted, 3D-printed House Was Built in Texas in Less Than 24 Hours

If the letter application fees don’t help Wagner to break even within the next few months, she will refund all of the $25 admissions to the entrants. Additionally, if the contest succeeds, she plans on giving away 5% of its proceeds to the Calgary Women’s Shelter.

Wagner has already started reviewing letters for the contest, and she says she has been heartened by the submissions.

“Just that one family that will end up in this home, in this house and make it into a home for themselves and be happy here, as happy as I have been, I know it’s going to be a beautiful story in the end.”

“It would be a beautiful way for someone not giving up hope,” said Wagner. “I’m not going to give up hope. I believe that when this contest works, I know it’s going to be well worthwhile.”

(WATCH the video below) – Photo by Alla Wagner

Be Sure And Spread The News About This Splendid Offer With Your Friends On Social Media

When I Was Alone at the Hospital at 4AM, a Lyft Driver Restored My Faith in Humanity

By
Sterling Bindel
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Want to LISTEN to this story? Hear the segment from The Good News Guru (the GNN Founder) on our Friday radio broadcast with Ellen K on KOST-103.5 — Or, READ the story below…
(Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes – or for Androids, on Podbean)

It was three days after New Years and I hadn’t slept since the ball dropped. I paced my house in a manic state, desperately closing my eyes, hoping rest would find me – but it never did.

Like it always does when I’m sleep-deprived, my epilepsy began rearing its ugly head. My brain felt like a nest of old computer wires tangled together, periodically shocking me with electricity. My body shook violently but there was nothing to be done, making sleep even more impossible.

I knew I had to do something; I hadn’t wanted to admit it, but I couldn’t fix this myself. I had exhausted my resources. My toolbox of solutions was empty. I decided to go to the hospital around 1AM. My roommate drove me. He let me out at the sliding doors of the ER and then headed back home.

Once under medical care, the doctors pumped me with fluids and medications to calm the seizures and usher in sleep. All at once, I felt my synapses rest. The frayed bird’s nest of rusty wires that was in my head had finally untangled itself.

RELATED: Read Woman’s Heartfelt Open Letter to Flight Attendant Who Extended Simple Offer of Kindness 17 Years Ago

I was discharged around 4:30AM. Alone and feeling vulnerable in the middle of the night, I was outside of an ER that was thirty minutes away from my home in Richmond, Virginia. I called a Lyft to pick me up and hoped against hope that it would be someone kind, someone safe.

A small SUV pulled up in front of the hospital doors and I climbed in, expecting some awkward small talk. After all, it was 4:30AM and I was being picked up from a hospital by a complete stranger. I buckled my seatbelt, and then the driver turned around; she was a woman in her mid-forties with the kindest eyes and a box of Christmas peppermints waiting on the seat beside me.

“Are you okay, sweetheart?” she asked.

“Oh, I’m fine. I just have epilepsy so I can’t drive.” I replied, expecting her to shrug it off and hit the road. Instead, she began to tell me about her daughter’s recent epilepsy diagnosis. She said she understood my struggle of being sick and unable to drive; needing food to stay healthy, living on my own, but not being able to drive to the grocery store; the unique riddle of needing help, but not knowing how to ask. She continued to talk about her daughter and I could tell it weighed on her heavily, watching someone she loves struggle to fill the fridge.

She told me about how – even though her daughter lives hours away – she drove to bring her groceries several times a week.

MORE: 10 Best Stories When Kindness and Heroics Went Viral in 2018

This was already some kind of serendipitous encounter, a little blessing after a few rough days – but what she said next surprised me.

“Honey, do you need groceries? Can I please take you to a store?” It was nearing 5 in the morning and a total stranger was worried that I wouldn’t be able to eat that day. I was so surprised. I told her, “No, it’s okay. I can handle it tomorrow, but thank you so much.”

As we got closer to my house, we exchanged numbers. She insisted that I call her when I needed help – not just with more dire situations, but also with groceries and doctor’s appointments too. I felt comforted, but I knew deep down that my stubborn aversion to accepting help would probably keep me from ever picking up the phone.

LOOK: Child With ‘Nothing to Give’ Sacrifices the ‘Best Part of Her Breakfast’ as Gift for Her Teacher

But then the next day, she called me, knowing I needed food but sensing that I didn’t want to impose – and we went to the grocery store that afternoon.

She not only provided safety and helped me fill my cupboards, but she gave me something I thought I had lost: she gave me hope. It was just a little taste, but it’s carried me through a lot, and these little glimmers of light can be so bright in the dark – and now I know that when the nights seem dark, my best choice is to find the light and follow it.

Editor’s note: one week after GNN published her story, Sterling received a text from Kathy saying that the article had inspired Lyft Inc. to donate $500 to the Epilepsy Foundation in their honor. Furthermore, Sterling was gifted $150 in Lyft credit to help her with transportation.

(LISTEN to the interview below)

Be Sure And Share This Sweet Story Of Kindness With My Friends On Social Media – Photo by Sterling Bindel and QC Pictures, CC

Anonymous $2 Million Gift for Sanctuary Will Help Retire Hundreds of Chimps From Research Facilities

By
Good News Network
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Chimp Haven

An anonymous $2 million donation from a stranger is providing a new home to over 200 chimpanzees who have been living in research facilities.

Chimp Haven

The chimps are now one step closer to retirement thanks to the multi-million donation which was made to Chimp Haven, the national chimpanzee sanctuary in Louisiana.

The gift was made at the end of the year by an anonymous supporter who is committed to supporting Chimp Haven’s “Welcome Them Home” campaign, a concerted effort to build more habitats and expand veterinary care suites to accommodate the chimps’ transitions from research facilities.

Chimp Haven is a private, nonprofit refuge on 200 acres of forested land in Northwest Louisiana. It’s home to more than 260 chimps already retired from biomedical research. While federal funds cover a crucial portion of the lifetime care of these government-owned chimps, the organization relies entirely on the generosity of donors to cover the construction necessary to welcome even more retirees into Chimp Haven’s care.

RELATED: India Saves Its Tigers Instead of Mining For $330M in Diamonds

The campaign-driven expansion, which includes new forested habitats and open-air enclosures, will enrich the lives of retirees with new spaces to play, explore and interact. Additionally, it provides ample space for Chimp Haven to accommodate chimpanzees still waiting for sanctuary retirement.

“It’s very exciting to begin 2019 with such a generous contribution to chimpanzee wellbeing,” said Rana Smith, president and chief executive officer of Chimp Haven. “Donors like this make it clear that people are deeply committed to the retirement of former research chimpanzees. This national effort is as important as ever, which is why we’re working diligently to expand our habitats and give these chimps the sanctuary retirement they deserve.”

Quit Monkeying Around And Share The Good News With Your Friends On Social Media – Photo by Chimp Haven

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