Brazilian Couple Transforms Barren Land Into Tropical Forest

By
Monica Pop
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“Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we cannot eat money.” This Cree Indian saying gives humans a lot to ponder over, but looking at all the deforestation that takes place all around the world, it seems we are not concerned for our planet’s well-being enough in order to act and stop its destruction.

The global warming is a real issue, and it results in increased average of temperatures and temperature extremes, higher wildlife extinction rates, increased levels of the seas and the oceans. The consequences really are devastating, but if we all work together, and if we start acting right away, maybe there’s still chance to save our planet.

A couple from Brazil has done the impossible. They started saving what’s left of our shared home and we should all learn from them.

Sebastião Salgado, a photojournalist was reporting the genocide in Rwanda back in 1994 and the experience left a huge impact on him. He got back to his homeland of Minas Gerais to rest from the traumatizing events he was covering while on the job, but what he stumbled upon was a barren land. The forests he once loved were gone and lots of animals were endangered.

“The land was as sick as I was – everything was destroyed,” Sebastião said. “Only about 0.5% of the land was covered in trees.”

What this man and his wife Lélia had in mind seemed like a pipe dream, but they were willing to give the idea of replanting the entire forest a go. Believe it or not, that’s exactly what they did.

It all started with the purchase of an abandoned cattle ranch and strong determination. The spouses called for volunteers and secured funding for their plan to turn into reality. After funding their non-profit organization, Instituto Terra back in 1999, they planted the first tree.

The results of 20 years of hard work are more than two million trees of 293 species, 1,502 acres of tropical forest, dried water springs brought back to life, and more than 172 species of birds, 33 species of mammals, and 15 species of amphibians and reptiles living in the area. The amazing forest is now considered a Private Natural Heritage Reserve.

This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen in my whole life.

It’s really incredible what the effort of these people resulted in. Now imagine if every single person is as devoted as this couple and the volunteers.

Salgado is very proud of what they were able to achieve. He says:

“Thanks to this increase of the trees I, too, was reborn – this was the most important moment.”

Sebastião and Lélia hope their actions will encourage others to do the same and help this planet become healthy place again.

“We need to listen to the words of the people on the land. Nature is the earth and it is other beings and if we don’t have some kind of spiritual return to our planet, I fear that we will be compromised,” Sebastião added.

We can all try to make a contribution. Our personal goal should be one tree at a time. Let’s save this planet!

Take a look at the video below and learn more about Instituto Terra.

S

Jimmy Kimmel’s son Billy celebrates second birthday after surviving two heart surgeries

By
Monica Pop
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Easter is that special time of the year when we celebrate life, but Jimmy Kimmel, our favorite face on television, had another reason to be extra joyful on that day. His youngest son Billy turned two.

Billy was born with a congenital heart condition and had to undergo surgery only three days after he was welcomed into the world. Those were tough times for the family, but the brave little baby managed to overcome the condition. He had his second surgery when he turned 7 months, and he’s now doing fine and brings happiness in his family.

Back in 2017, Jimmy opened up about his son’s condition in a monologue in which he made a plea for the government to continue financially covering the health care of children with preexisting conditions, especially for the families who weren’t able to cover the expenses on their own.

He also used the opportunity to publicly thank the doctors who treated Billy, as well as the rest of the medical staff who were devoted to his healing.

Now, as he wished his son a happy birthday, he again spoke of the effort made by the doctors and how they were the reason his son is now one happy child.

The photo he posted on his Instagram account melted the hearts of people from all around the world. Smiling and holding a carrot in his hand, little Billy made our Easter a bit more special as he reminded us how brave he is.

Jimmy’s wife, Molly McNearney also took it to social media to wish her boy a happy birthday and to thank all the nurses and doctors at Children’s Hospital LA for saving Billy’s life. She wrote, “Sending love and prayers to all the families in the hospital today and always.”

We also thank all those people working at the hospitals for their dedication, love, and professionalism. They are our everyday heroes.

As for Jimmy and his lovely family, we wish them all the joys life brings.

Baby born so premature her chances of survival are slim – watch what happens when mom holds her for the first time

By
Monica Pop
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God always finds a way to remind us how miracles are everywhere around us; all we need to do is to look and embrace them.

Naomi Bakker’s parents were the happiest people on Earth when they learned Angela was pregnant, and they couldn’t wait to meet their sweet daughter. However, the baby girl entered the world earlier than her mommy and daddy expected her. Born 15 weeks premature and weighting only one pound, tiny Naomi’s chances to survive were slim.

She was one of the smallest babies born in Reno, Nevada. Naomi needed round the clock care, and the staff at Renown Regional Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit were there to provide her with all the love, care, and devotion possible. They worked really hard to keep the baby alive and healthy, and never left her side.

However, both the doctors and the nurses were aware how the most important of all was the affection the little baby would get from her parents. They were certain that if her mother Angela was given the chance to hold her baby daughter, it would facilitate the process of recovery a great deal. So they did something very uncommon. They let the mother embrace her daughter, and it was a moment to remember.

The main reason why the staff decided to let Angela and Michael hold the baby was because the benefits of skin-to-ski touch are numerous. Once the little bundle of joy feels the mother’s presence and touch, it feels more relaxed and calm. Plus, this contact helps the babies better adapt to the life outside the womb, and regulates their heart rate and breathing. It also stimulates digestion, provides protection against infections, and regulates the body temperatures. The advantages are countless, really.

Naomi, however, was so tiny that eight nurses helped transferring her from her bubble to her mother’s chest.

Angela couldn’t hide her happiness and excitement. She was finally able to hold her baby. It was obvious she’d been waiting for this precious moment since the day Naomi was born.

The look on her face says it all. She simply can’t stop smiling. This is just a proof that nothing really beats mother’s love, does it?

Angela and Michael were allowed to hold their daughter every single day during her long stay at the hospital, and that gave them strength to fight for her life.

Thanks to the parents and the dedicated staff, Naomi is now four years old and she’s one happy and healthy young lady. Looking at her now, we would’ve never assumed she was once lighter than a can of beans.

Ellen reunites Marine with his wife and baby he never met

By
Monica Pop
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I don’t even want to imagine celebrating my kids’ birthday, or going through labor without my husband by my side. Unfortunately, the spouses of the military men and women experience this all the time. Moms and dads, and husbands and wives miss a lot while serving the country and making sure the nation is safe and sound.

The reason families are separated from their loved ones for months is why the so much anticipated reunions are always full of emotions. Watching these people get back home is what fills our hearts with joy.

Corporal Christopher Gerren has been deployed to Afghanistan for seven long and tough months. His wife Jessica gave birth to their son Remington while he was away, and he wasn’t there to see his baby boy entering the world.

Both Jessica and their two children were patiently waiting for their hero to get back home.

The story of this family takes an amazing turn when our favorite host Ellen DeGeneres steps in and welcomes Jessica to her show. The reason Jessica believed was invited was to speak of the life of women whose husbands are deployed abroad, never assuming the surprise of her life was waiting for her right there at the studio.

As they were chatting, Corporal Gerren appeared on the screen. Jessica was lucky to see him, even though he wasn’t physically present. But that was about to change too. At one moment, Ellen paused the show due to what she referred to as ‘a technical glitch.’ The reality was that Corporal Gerren was about to enter the place. Once Jessica saw her husband standing next to her, she couldn’t hide her excitement. She had no idea he returned to the States, but he was really there and she and the kids could finally embrace him.

Ellen, however, did a lot more for this loving family. She learned how they’ve never been on a honeymoon and she wanted to give them the chance to enjoy themselves. Jessica and Christopher were getting an all-expenses paid trip to St. Lucia. On top of that, Ellen gave them $10,000.We are so glad the Gerrens were given the chance to be around each other again.

Ellen is really one-of-a-kind. She knows how to thank those who sacrifice it all for the sake of our country and we love her even more because of that.

Plant Causes Severe Burns And Even Blindness And Is Now Spreading Quickly. Here’s What You Should Know

By
Nicole
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Spring and nice weather have finally come and that means its time for some fun in the nature. Everyone likes having a great walk in the woods and enjoy the tranquillity the nature provides. Whether you are alone, with friends or family, the fun and joy is always there. However, being in the nature means there are some potential dangers we have to be aware of. Besides animals, plants also can be somehow dangerous to us and our health. Some plants are even deadly, the experts warn us.

Giant Hogweed is one of those plants that are definitely in the group of dangerous plants. Its Latin name is Heracleum mantegazzianum. It used to thrive in certain parts of the world, but now it is spread in more areas. Many people now can easily encounter this plant but they still do not know the danger it hides. A single touch means burns or in the worst case blindness.

In the USA, this plant can be found in Maryland, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia and Washington. It can grow up to 14 feet in height and its diameter can be up to 5 feet.

People gave different names to the plant. Among the most popular names of the plant are giant cow parsnip, giant cow parsley, cartwheel-flower, or hogsbane.

It has thick stem. There are also white hairs and beautiful white flowers. The beauty of the plant hides the danger. Do not touch it.

The actual danger comes from the sap of the plant. It contains some dangerous chemicals such as photosynthesizing furanocoumarins. This chemical is responsible for the sever burns.

Usually the burns are accompanied by blisters. The blisters show up in a period of 48 hours and the scars are long-lasting.

However, what’s even more dangerous is the possibility of causing blindness. If the chemical touches the eyes, the blindness is the possible outcome.

However, accidents happen and if you do come in touch with it, just wash the affected area with cold water. Also do not expose it to the sun.

Sunscreen works fine if you are outside. This helps removing the skin irritation.

Same procedure should be followed if it touches your eyes. Wash the eyes with cold water and wear sunglasses.

Some more details are in the video bellow:

Viral Video of the Day

Toddler Boy Shakes His Diaper-Clad Booty To “Boom Chicka Boom.”

By
Monica Pop
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When dancing is your thing, you don’t even need a dance floor to rock. Moving to the rhythm flawlessly, without missing a single beat isn’t something many people can brag about, but not this baby. He’s a real performer in the making.

For the incredible show, he chose a song with a vibrant melody, “Boom Chicka Boom” by The Learning Station. We guess lullabies aren’t really fit for such a bubbly baby.

Wearing a crazy outfit of a diaper and a paper Krispy Kreme hat, he gives a performance to remember. We are so glad his mother, Elizabeth Burns, was able to put everything on tape and share it with the world.

The sweet toddler is moving his tiny butt back and forth like no one is watching, or as he really doesn’t care who’s around, and it’s adorable. And if you take a closer look at the facial expressions he makes, it’s certain he’s ready to win any lip-sync challenge.

Just take a look at him. It doesn’t get any cuter than this, don’t you think so?

Take a look at the video below and enjoy one of the sweetest dancing routines you’ve ever seen.

How a 12-year-old boy’s death after an asthma attack led to a change in the law

By
Monica Pop
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The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1 in 13 Americans suffer from asthma, which leads to the staggering number of 26 million. Although this disease is not completely curable, it’s eminently controllable. It’s a condition in which the airways narrow and swell, and that results in coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

The number of children affected is pretty much the same as that of the older population. Those who experience asthma attacks must have their inhalers at hand any time, because without them, the consequences could be fatal. Unfortunately, 12-year-old Ryan Gibbons didn’t have his medicine when he experienced the symptoms and suffered a tragic death as a result.

The tragedy struck during a soccer game at school. At the moment of the attack, Ryan’s medication was locked at the principal’s office and getting to it on time was simply impossible.

That absurd policy of keeping the inhalers away from the children during school time resulted in a young life being lost. Poor Ryan would always carry a spare inhaler, but once someone would notice it, they would confiscate it from him.

If he had reached his medication, he could have been alive.

Ryan’s mother, Sandra Gibbons says how they made numerous pleas to the Elgin County School in Ontario, Canada, asking for Ryan to be allowed to have his puffer next to him at all time. They even had a doctor’s note that said he shouldn’t be left without his medication. But it was all in vain.

The boy was dead, and his family and the whole nation were left heartbroken. Ryan’s death could have been easily avoided, but it wasn’t only because the school decided to follow some stupid rules.

Sandra recalls how the school had contacted her on several occasions, asking from her to get to school and pick her son’s extra inhaler. This mother would always make sure her son had one in his hands, just in case of emergency, because no one really knows when an attack may take place or what exactly triggers one to happen.

”You would give him an inhaler but then he would get caught with the inhaler and then it would be taken away,” Sandra Gibbons said, speaking to CBC.

”Then I’d get a phone call. So it was actually very frustrating. I didn’t understand why. I didn’t realize that the policy actually stated that the prescribed medication needed to be in the office.”

After she lost her son, Sandra was determined to make schools adopt standardized asthma management plans. She knew no other parent should ever experience the pain of losing a child in such a manner.

This brave mother succeeded in making all three parties to pass a private member’s bill from Progressive Conservative Jeff Yurek.

“When Ryan passed away, it was like losing everything that I lived for,” Gibbons told Allergic Living. “After burying my son, I knew that this was a preventable attack. To me, if people had appropriate training and knew what to look for when a child was in distress, he would be here today.”

Her determination to help other children suffering from asthma attacks keep themselves safe while at school resulted with the Ryan’s Law. Bill 135 has been passed and all the parties stand behind the legislature.

The law allows students to carry their life-saving devices in their backpacks or pockets, along with a doctor’s note.

“I’m definitely overwhelmed, very emotional, very happy it’s going to be implemented,” said Sandra Gibbons.

Dr. Rob Oliphant, the president of The Asthma Society says “it is essential that children with asthma have ready access to potentially life-saving asthma medications while at school.”

Contrary to Canada’s laws, American children are allowed to carry their inhalers with them during school time. However, some schools ban them and base this decision on their anti-drug policies.

The number of deaths as a result of asthma attacks declined in recent years, but that’s not a reason for students to be denied access to their medicine whenever they need it.

We hope Ryan’s tragic death would make all countries reconsider their decision of forbidding anyone full access to something that can save their life.

Rest in piece sweet Ryan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Please SHARE this story with your family and friends on Facebook to send your condolences.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

After a bigoted hardware store owner posted a ‘No Gays Allowed’ sign, he got roasted on Yelp.

By
Nicole
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In 2015 the gay marriage was legalized by the U.S. Supreme Court. However, in 2018 the Court also added that the people have the right to oppose it. Since then, people were encouraged, or empowered, to oppose that given right.

One such example was the baker’s case in Colorado. A gay couple wanted to order a wedding cake from the Baker, but he actually turned them down. The case ended up in court. During the proceeding, the baker cited his Christian beliefs and pointed them out as a reason for the opposition. Therefore, the court ruled 7-2 in favour of the baker.

“The laws and the Constitution can, and in some instances must, protect gay persons and gay couples in the exercise of their civil rights,” the court found, “but religious and philosophical objections to gay marriage are protected views and in some instances protected forms of expression.”

https://twitter.com/shossy2/status/1005619777212223489

Since then, bigots have been encouraged to refuse providing services to gay couples by relying on the ‘religious freedom’ right. Another such case, besides the baker’s one, is the Jeff Amyx, owner of Amyx Hardware and Roofing Supplies in Washburn, Tennessee.

In 2018, Amyx decided to put some anti-gay signs in his shop. He has put these: “No gays allowed,” “Choose god or gays,” and “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who would violate our rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion.” This was quickly spread virally and Amyx became a target of the Internet community who found these signs inappropriate.

The most important question regarding such cases is why people are losing potential profit and customers just to push their point of view?

Everyone who was angry by Amyx’s actions slammed his business on Yelp. 

Google users when they review his business even categories his store as a gay bar.

However, after some time, Yelp decided to clean up the negative reviews. 

“This business recently made waves in the news, which often means that people come to this page to post their views on the news,” Yelp said in a statement. “While we don’t take a stand one way or the other when it comes to these news events, we do work to remove both positive and negative posts that appear to be motivated more by the news coverage itself than the reviewer’s personal consumer experience with the business.”

On the other hand, Google did not do that. They are still listing his shop as a gay bar. In addition, the negative comments have not been removed.

People should understand that we are equal and we have equal rights. Since religious groups have the right to practice their religions freely, why shouldn’t homosexual people enjoy their rights and feel the benefits of the country they live in? It turns out that the country has yet to empower its laws and protect people’s rights.

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