It’s in the humans’ nature to strive to love and be loved. This feeling that is described by many as the strongest of all helps us overcome obstacles and ordeals and is capable of healing our heart and soul. But when it comes to romantic relations and that type of affection, not everyone gets to find the soulmate whom they would spend the journey called life with. Those that do, however, know they are lucky to have someone they could rely on when things get rough.
Kris Scharoun-DeForge and her husband Paul Scharoun-DeForge are a perfect example of how love conquers all. These two met some 30 years ago, and have been married for the last 25. If this doesn’t really sound like something special to you, you’ll change your mind once you learn these spouses both have Down Syndrome. They are longest married couple with this condition and their story continues to inspire people around the world.
The affection they feel for one another only grows bigger with each passing day. They speak of their relationship with sparks in their eyes and give us hope that one day, we could have what these two share as well. They also teach us to never settle for anything less.
“I looked into his eyes and saw my future. He opened up my world.”
Both Kris and Paul never miss a chance to let the other one know how much they are loved and cared for. Every Valentine’s Day, this loving wife crafts a handmade card for the love of her life and the two have a romantic dinner at a restaurant. This has become sort of tradition throughout the years. The last year’s holiday was, however, even more special because they were given the chance to tell the whole world how true devotion and fondness break all the barriers by celebrating their 25-year anniversary. As many believe how people with Down Syndrome aren’t capable of getting emotionally involved in a union, Scharoun-DeForges prove those people wrong and are going stronger than ever.
Sadly, Paul started suffering from dementia which is currently in it’s early stage, but it required that he was placed at a facility where he would receive all the care needed for him to function properly. His wife never leaves his side and is paying him frequent visits, constantly reminding him how much he is loved and cared for.
She said: “When they told me, I started to cry. He’s my life. I don’t want to be without him.”
It’s amazing how in this world full of people who would like to see you fail, Kris and Paul never gave up on one another. They are each other’s support and are very lucky to have found that special person. We wish you a long and even happier life. You indeed are a true inspiration.
Alan Jackson is one of those music stars that modesty overcomes fame. The 60-year-old country music star is one of the best sold country music singers.
With more than 80 million records sold, he is undoubtedly one of the best-known representatives of this music genre.
He is member of Georgia Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Furthermore, Alan Jackson owns two Grammy awards, 16 CMA awards and 17 ACM awards.
However, even with all these recognitions, Alan Jackson is still keeping his modesty on higher level. As an illustration, here are his words spoken to the Rolling Stone:
“Even though I’ve done a lot, I still don’t feel quite worthy, but I feel like it’s an honor to qualify for what it requires to be in here with these great people.
“I’ve always tried to make music my first priority – not being a star, not being in the spotlight, just trying to make music that I loved.”
Luckily, we have his daughter Alexandra Jane Jackson. She knows her father’s values and status and does not hesitate talking about the music star. Regarding her father, Alexandra says:
“I see you as: my best friend, the guy that taught me how you treat people matters more than anything else and taught me just how to stand on my own two feet,” she said.
Alexandra is one of the three siblings. Alan and his wife Denise have three daughters, Mattie Denise and Dani Grace. Since 15 December the couple’s marriage is full of love, respect and mutual support. On one occasion Alan even credits his wife with getting his career off the ground.
Alexandra’s tribute to her father continues:
“You’re every daughter’s dream father. Thank you for raising us in a house filled with Jesus and music, and always making sure we knew whatever our dream was could be our reality.”
Thanks to Alexandra’s tribute we can learn something about the private life of this music star. Even though he is extremely popular, with millions of fans, he does not forget his family and his duties as father.
This kind of modesty and giving priority to you family is a rarity in the world of celebrities. Alan Jackson is a very good example for the future music or film stars.
Now, we would like you to enjoy with one of Alan’s songs!
Generally speaking, we do not like to be interrupted. Whether it is a speech, a play or a song, we usually get annoyed if someone interrupts us. It’s an unpleasant feeling that can lead into failure of the success of the things we planned to show the audience.
Sometimes we can manage such a situation, depending on the nature of the interruption. In most cases such situation, like it or not, can cause some unwanted feeling overcome our bodies.
Being interrupted by someone or something can make us nervous and distracted. The unexpected distraction can defocus us from the things that we have had in our minds. However, Kelvin Moon Loh, a Broadway actor, is not like the rest of us.
Since Broadway shows are expected to be one of the finest performances in the world of stage acting, they require high concentration and focus. With that in mind, Kevin and his team started their play ‘The King and I’. However, in the middle of the show, very unexpected visitor disturbed the flow of the show.
A kid diagnosed with autism started shouting loudly in the middle of the act.
What Kevin did after this situation is not something most us will do.
Broadway shows are expensive part of fine arts world. With such high price for a ticket, the audience and the actors expect to have a show almost like a perfection. Slightest disturbance may be strongly criticized.
Kevin’s show was going very well. However, during a whipping scene, the kid started reacting quite loudly. He started shouting and his mother had to take him out of the theatre.
When the kid interrupted the show, part of the audience was not happy to witness that, while some of them had understanding about the incident. With all these mixed feelings in the audience, Kevin realised that he had to do something to settle the things out.
Kevin posted a letter on the social media regarding the kid’s interruption.
Kelvin’s letter
“I am angry and sad,” he wrote.
“Just got off stage from today’s matinee and yes, something happened. Someone brought their autistic child to the theater.
That being said- this post won’t go the way you think it will.
You think I will admonish that mother for bringing a child who yelped during a quiet moment in the show. You think I will herald an audience that yelled at this mother for bringing their child to the theater. You think that I will have sympathy for my own company whose performances were disturbed from a foreign sound coming from in front of them.
No.
Instead, I ask you- when did we as theater people, performers and audience members become so concerned with our own experience that we lose compassion for others?
The theater to me has always been a way to examine/dissect the human experience and present it back to ourselves. Today, something very real was happening in the seats and, yes, it interrupted the fantasy that was supposed to be this matinee but ultimately theater is created to bring people together, not just for entertainment, but to enhance our lives when we walk out the door again.
It so happened that during “the whipping scene”, a rather intense moment in the second act, a child was heard yelping in the audience. It sounded like terror. Not more than one week earlier, during the same scene, a young girl in the front row- seemingly not autistic screamed and cried loudly and no one said anything then. How is this any different?
His voice pierced the theater. The audience started to rally against the mother and her child to be removed. I heard murmurs of “why would you bring a child like that to the theater?”. This is wrong. Plainly wrong.
Because what you didn’t see was a mother desperately trying to do just that. But her son was not compliant. What they didn’t see was a mother desperately pleading with her child as he gripped the railing refusing- yelping more out of defiance. I could not look away. I wanted to scream and stop the show and say- “EVERYONE RELAX. SHE IS TRYING. CAN YOU NOT SEE THAT SHE IS TRYING???!!!!” I will gladly do the entire performance over again. Refund any ticket because-
For her to bring her child to the theater is brave. You don’t know what her life is like. Perhaps, they have great days where he can sit still and not make much noise because this is a rare occurrence. Perhaps she chooses to no longer live in fear, and refuses to compromise the experience of her child. Maybe she scouted the aisle seat for a very popular show in case such an episode would occur. She paid the same price to see the show as you did for her family. Her plan, as was yours, was to have an enjoyable afternoon at the theater and slowly her worst fears came true.
I leave you with this- Shows that have special performances for autistic audiences should be commended for their efforts to make theater inclusive for all audiences. I believe like Joseph Papp that theater is created for all people. I stand by that and also for once, I am in a show that is completely FAMILY FRIENDLY. The King and I on Broadway is just that- FAMILY FRIENDLY- and that means entire families- with disabilities or not. Not only for special performances but for all performances. A night at the theater is special on any night you get to go.
And no, I don’t care how much you spent on the tickets.”
Morals
Kevin’s letter is a great message sent to all of us. Being interrupted, no matter the level of defocusing of our concentration, is not the end of the world after all. Judging kids with mental disabilities, or the parents that try to give that kind of kid a normal life, is very wrong. As Kevin points out, some plays are for the whole family and, as such, is it ok to exclude some of the family members from enjoying the show?
Kevin did a great job with the letter. Whether you agree with him or not, he indeed made his point quite clearly. How would you react in such situation?
Every day we can see the effects of the pollution. Keeping the environment safe and clean guarantees healthy life, for us and for the animals and plants surrounding us. That is a task that all of us should have in our to-do list.
A great story comes from Australia. The city of Kwinana is fighting the pollution of the environment with a fairly simple installation. In other words, the city authorities have installed a filtration system in Henley Reserve by using net. The net itself is placed on the outlets of the drainage pipes and in that was the plastic and the debris is kept inside, letting water pass through it. This is a very cleaver and simple way of keeping our surroundings clean and free of plastic other harmful materials.
People very quickly saw the benefits of this installation. The trash that usually goes in the nature is huge and after this new installation people see drastic changes. They are now aware that with simple tools the contamination of the environment can be stopped.
Even the authorities were quite surprised by the success of the nets. Their expectations were way too low in comparison to the caught 800 pounds of garbage in just a few weeks. The work paid off.
Therefore, the success of these nets in Henley Reserve made the authorities think about installing such nets all over the city. The goal is to minimize the pollution of the environment. Compared to the more sophisticated filtration systems, this net installation costs some $10.000 and that makes it quite profitable.
The process goes like this. After the installation of the nets on the outlets, the nets are gradually being filled in with garbage. As soon as the nets are full, they is loaded on trucks specially used for this purpose so they can be transported to trash-sorting places. The recyclable materials are kept and the process of recycling starts.
When the net is emptied and the garbage transported, the nets are reinstalled on the outlets. The process starts all over again.
Kwinana proved that with small efforts, minimum budget and willingness to protect the environment, we can do miracles. This an idea that many other cities should take into consideration.
James Tadman’s life turned into hell in just a period of several months. The happy family life he has been hoping for vanished in just a blink of an eye. Losing his two-year-old daughter was the devastating event that ruined his life.
Marcie Tadman’s life was too short. This cute little girl was admitted to Royal United Hospital in Bath, England upon doctor’s conclusion that she had pneumonia. However, as soon as the treatment for pneumonia started, another deadly threat came – she suffered a fatal cardiac arrest.
Little Marcie’s heart could not survive. This little angel passed away on 17 December 2017. Marcie had sepsis. James’ life fell apart. After his wife’s death, this tragedy was too much for him to bear. Regarding this, he says:
“SHE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID ‘OKAY DADDY’” BEFORE SHE “WENT LIMP”.
THE DEVASTED FATHER WENT ON TO SAY:
“AS YOU CAN ALL APPRECIATE, MY FAMILY AND I HAVE BEEN THROUGH HELL AND NO WORDS CAN ADEQUATELY DESCRIBE HOW WE ARE FEELING.”
“WE HAVE LOST A VERY BEAUTIFUL, CARING LITTLE GIRL WHOSE SMILE WOULD LIGHT UP ANY ROOM AND MELT ANY HEART.”
“WE PUT OUR TRUST IN THE ROYAL UNITED HOSPITAL, ASSUMING THAT OUR LITTLE GIRL WOULD BE GETTING THE VERY BEST CARE BUT TRAGICALLY THAT WAS NOT THE CASE.
“THE HOSPITAL’S OWN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION HAS IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF FAILINGS AND THESE HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED BY ONE EXPERT AS ‘SYSTEMIC’ IN NATURE.
“WE CAN ONLY HOPE THAT LESSONS HAVE BEEN LEARNT AND THAT EVERY CHILD THAT RECEIVES TREATMENT AT THE HOSPITAL IN THE FUTURE WILL BE BETTER PROTECTED.”
“THE ONLY CRUMB OF COMFORT I CAN TAKE FROM THE IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION I FIND MYSELF FACING IS THAT MARCIE HAS BEEN REUNITED WITH HER MUMMY, MY WIFE, WHO SADLY LOST HER FIGHT AGAINST CANCER IN JULY 2017.”
The symptoms that this girl had somehow remained unchecked. Just a day before Marcie’s death, James took her to the ER. She had all of the sepsis symptoms. Dr. Claire Verey now regrets for not checking and testing the girl for sepsis. A mistake that took her life. During the official inquiry, the doctor said:
“MY DIAGNOSIS WAS BASED PURELY ON THE MARCIE I SAW IN FRONT OF ME.
“IN MY MIND, MARCIE TADMAN WAS DEFINITELY AN UNWELL CHILD.
“I RECONCILED ALL THE OBSERVATIONS I HAD IN FRONT OF ME WITH BACTERIAL PNEUMONIA.
“THIS IS MY ONLY EXPLANATION FOR NOT DOING ALL THE SEPSIS TESTS.
“I CANNOT FULLY EXPLAIN WHY SEPSIS DIDN’T POP UP IN MY HEAD.
“IT’S JUST I GENUINELY FELT THAT ALL THE SIGNS POINTED TO PNEUMONIA.
“RATHER THAN USING THE SCREENING TOOL I USED MY OWN JUDGEMENT LOOKING AT MARCIE AS SHE WAS IN FRONT OF ME.
“I APOLOGISE WHOLEHEARTEDLY FOR WHAT HAPPENED TO MARCIE.”
Furthermore, James explains:
“I EXPLAINED TO MARCIE THAT EVERYTHING WAS OKAY AND THEY WERE GOING TO GO TO ANOTHER ROOM.
“SHE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID, ‘OKAY, DADDY’. WHEN THE NURSE FINISHED GIVING THE FLUIDS MARCIE LOOKED AT ME, TOOK ONE BIG BREATH AND SHE LOOKED STRAIGHT INTO MY EYES.
“I HAD HOLD OF HER OTHER HAND AND WAS STROKING IT, TELLING HER SHE WAS GOING TO BE OKAY, SHE JUST SEEMED TO TURN OFF WHEN SHE EXHALED AND WENT LIMP.”
CORONER MARIA VOISIN LISTED A RANGE OF FAILINGS BY THE HOSPITAL AND RECORDED A CONCLUSION THAT MARCIE DIED FROM NATURAL CAUSES CONTRIBUTED TO BY NEGLECT.
“I CONSIDER THAT PUTTING THESE BASIC FAILURES TOGETHER LED TO THE GROSS FAILURE TO PROVIDE OR PERFORM ANY EFFECTIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT,” SHE SAID.
“I FIND THAT THE GROSS FAILURE HAS CAUSED OR SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTED TO MARCIE’S DEATH.”
With sorrows in our hearts, we express our condolences to James. We do hope this little angel will find peace in the Heavens, since she was an angel even here on the Earth!
There is really nothing as mesmerizing to watch as people performing Irish dance routines. This traditional dancing takes a lot of talent and skills not many can claim. Irish people consider this dancing style that demonstrates breathtaking footwork and balance a huge part of their heritage. If you’ve seen dancers performing this style, you were probably enchanted by those moves of high-kicking, stomping, rigid stances, and twirls.
The video below shows how no one can stay indifferent when the famous music that follows this routine is on. The lively rhythm is so contagious that this adorable little girl decided to join in and show this woman who is dancing on the streets of Galway, Ireland, how skillful she is.
Passersby are gathering around this adorable dancing duo and enjoy the sight. Isn’t this sweet little girl an Irish dancer in the making?
Take a look at her in the video below. You are going to love this!
Cancer is one of the most widespread diseases that can affect anyone, despite gender or age. The diagnosis is devastating, and the battle is long and hard, and takes lots of courage and optimism.
Scientists from across the globe do everything in their power to find a cure, and until that day is here, we can only be supportive and pray for those who are undergoing the ordeal.
When a person is diagnosed, it affects everyone around. But what happens when a child is in question? It makes the parents’ world crush, but they have to be strong and overcome those feelings of shock, guilt, anxiety, and sadness, and be there for their little ones. Just as little McKenna Shea Xydias’ mom and dad are.
This sweet two-year-old toddler experienced some belly swelling some time ago and it alarmed her parents Megan and Michael. The doctors, however, put them at ease saying it’s just a result of constipation.
Soon after this doctor’s visit, McKenna’s teacher called her parents telling them how the girl isn’t feeling good, having a fever of 103F and a swollen abdomen.
She was again rushed to the hospital where they got the same answer as the first time, a constipation. This time, both Megan and Michael knew there was something more serious going on so they decided to do further examination in another hospital.
McKenna was brought to Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta where they were told the shocking news of the little girl having a malignant tumor growing on her ovaries. This particular type of cancer turned to be one of the rarest. Luckily, thanks to these devoted parents, it was diagnosed just in time to take action.
The girl had to undergo a surgery that thankfully went pretty well.
She is currently staying at the hospital where she is expected to recover completely after the chemotherapy sessions she has to receive. Her family is sharing McKenna’s story because they want to raise awareness of this rare condition.
This brave little lady never lost her smile and is an example of how we should never give up fighting. Please pray for her!
Scott and Michelle’s happy marriage was like every marriage out there. They were happy and enjoying life, doing their jobs and spending some quality times together. However, life prepared a shocking surprise for both of them, and for their lovely kids.
One day, Scott’s life turned into nightmare. While attending her classes, Michelle got a call that turned her life upside down. The news she got was devastating.
While Scott was staying home with their kids, he suffered a terrible severe stroke. That was maybe the worst piece of news Michelle got in her whole life.
Upon calling her wife, Michelle immediately called 911. About the horrible day, she recalls:
”He called me and he was slurring his words. He said he had an intense headache and that something was wrong.”
She remembers that day very well. The pain and the stress she felt cannot be described with words. She adds:
”When emergency medical crews loaded Scott into the ambulance, his blood pressure spiked, causing fluid in the lungs.”
The stroke threatened Scott’s life. All vital signs were in a terrible condition. His breathing was heavy, the blood pressure was high and he started losing his consciousness. His wife described all of that:
”It was just very, very bad. Sometimes it’s hard to talk about it.”
As soon as they reached the hospital, the medical team started working on Scott. Taking into account his bad health situation, the doctors suggested Michelle to call close relatives because he may not survive until the morning.
Additional reasons for such deadly outcome are his other health problems. Since his birth Scott had aneurysm. This, combined with the stroke, made the doctors believe his chances for surviving are minimum.
Michelle was devastated. Losing her loved one and the father of her kids was too much to bear. However, knowing her husband well, she secretly hoped that everything will be all right. Scott was a fighter and she believed her husband will win this battle as well.
The doctors were not on the same line with Michelle. They suggested her to let him go and say goodbye. They did not expect him to wake up after the surgery, especially not with that low level of oxygen.
Michelle did not do that. Instead of saying the last goodbye, she kissed Scott. Then, a miracle happened. Scott’s still body twitched and he kissed her back. That drastically restored her hopes.
This new situation encouraged Michelle to fight for her husband. She was trying to convince the medical staff that her husband will survive and there was no need to unplug the life support.
The miracle indeed happened. During the next weeks Scott recovered to that degree that he did not need the life support anymore. Soon afterwards, he woke up, feeling pain and helpless. Michelle says:
“I covered his trach and he started talking to me. The first words were, ‘I love you,’ the second, ‘get me pain medication.’ Then, when the doctors asked him, ‘what are you playing?’ he said, ‘an instrument.’ The doctors started to believe in us.”
When the doctors learned about the new development and the unexpected conversation between them, they started believing in Scott’s fight. He spent 16 weeks in rehab.
Since Scott is a musician, music was the additional ‘medicament’ that helped him. The therapists and doctors very often used music and his instrument during the sessions. His strength and coordination was rapidly improving.
Scott returned home after the 16th week. Michelle described Scot’s mood as follows:
“He went in on a stretcher only moving his right hand, and he left walking with a walker with one hand in the air saying, ‘Rock on,’”
The caring wife provided support and help even home. Scott was never left alone and she gave everything she had just to normalise her husband again. Her spirit did not let her fail her husband, and apparently Scott never intended to leave his family.
For Scott and Michelle, the road to normal life was way too long. Nevertheless, she says with a smile:
“He’s playing guitar again. He plays the drums. It used to be he couldn’t swallow. He had a feeding tube for nine months, but now he can eat anything he wants.”
Luckily Michelle and Scott will continue living side by side, getting old and hopefully see their grandchildren running around their house.
