“Donato was pulled over and arrested for a DUI. I asked the officer, ‘How can someone who WASN’T drinking have a breath alcohol level 3 times the legal limit?’ We were confused; doctors were confused. Even in the greatest city in the world, no one could figure out what was wrong with him.”
‘WHAT’S GOING ON?’ The nurse said, ‘Everyone is freaking out! His blood alcohol level is so high!’ He’d only consumed a piece of chocolate cake.’: Widow raises awareness about Auto-Brewery Syndrome after husband’s long road to diagnosis
‘I stood at the edge of the bridge. I was about to jump, end it all. My friend called as I had one foot off the ledge. ‘Come home.’: Woman shares self-discovery journey
“At 19 years old, with two suitcases, a hope, and a dream, I moved to New York. I’d go to the bathroom and there’d be blood in the toilet. I thought I was slowly dying. AGAIN, I was homeless, with just my suitcase.”
‘I found Aaron chugging a beer like his life depended on it. I left the room sick to my stomach.’: Wife of recovering addict says ‘shame has NO place here’
“I walked in and there was Aaron, sitting quietly with a 6-pack. ‘He’s only had a couple,’ I told myself. I said a silent prayer.”
‘What do you mean you found a lost CHICKEN?’ My 12-year-old and her best friend came bursting through our side door.’: Mom urges ‘savor moments of joy in the chaos’
“Folks, I grew up near New York City. The only thing I know about chickens is how to bake them at 350 degrees. ‘Mom! Mom! We have to save it!’ It was getting dark quickly.”
‘I’m afraid your dad isn’t going to make it.’ I had to come up with $45,000, in the middle of a pandemic.’: Daughter dresses as Disney princesses to give dying father second chance at life
“Every girl thinks their dad is the best one in the world. I’m not exaggerating when I say, I won the father lottery. Now, it was my time to give back. ‘I’m going to save him!’ This was bigger than my pride, bigger than anything in the world.”
‘I’m a gay man.’ Their tone immediately changed. In a tense manner, they said, ‘Well, you won’t be donating today.’: COVID-19 survivor raises awareness after disallowed to donate plasma
“I recovered from COVID-19 and tested positive for high levels of antibodies. At first, they told me I was a prime candidate for plasma donation to help save lives. Now, I’m being deemed nonessential and told my help during a global crisis is unwelcome, simply because of who I am.”
‘Scott needed his tonsils removed. ‘I feel nervous.’ Hours later, I got a text from his brother: ‘I’m so sorry.’ He had to be playing a prank.’: Woman loses husband to sleep apnea during tonsillectomy
“Scott went in for his surgery and FaceTimed me when he got out. He said in his hoarse post-surgery voice, ‘I’m so sorry I am not there to help you and your mom right now. A few hours later, I got a text from his brother. ‘Mel, I’m so sorry. Scott didn’t make it. I’m so sorry.’ Huh? I didn’t know what he was talking about.”
‘Penny is nonverbal, but please don’t make her a prop. She is not your ‘disabled best friend.’: Dad touched after stranger’s rare ‘act of empathy’ for daughter with Aicardi syndrome, ‘the world needs more people like her’
“I’ve experienced too many instances of people taking selfies with Penny and posting them all over social media. Penny is not your ‘Disabled Best Friend,’ or a chapter in your Facebook Story. Please don’t exploit a non-existent relationship with a disabled child in a wheelchair to demonstrate to your friends and family how wonderful you are. She just wants to belong.”
‘Them: When are you leaving the city now that you have 5 kids? Me: Never! Why do we have to?!’: Mom praises city lifestyle despite criticism, pressure to settle down, ‘our kids are thriving’
“We have triplets, a 1 year old, and a 13 year old. People tell me the city is ‘bad’ for children. ‘Children need a backyard.’ ‘They need a safer community.’ ‘The city is too busy for littles one.’ They are WRONG.”
‘I felt itching on my stomach, noticed a small black spec. I became panicked. My boss looked at me. ‘That’s a tick!’: Young woman encourages others battling invisible illness to ‘never stop fighting’
“I remember riding the train and I felt like a stranger was living in my body. I didn’t feel like myself… I felt like my world was constantly spinning, I was beyond exhausted, no matter how much I slept, and I often found myself wearing sunglasses because the light bothered me so much. Before this, I didn’t even own a pair. I got a call from the Urgent Care. ‘You tested positive for Lyme Disease. You need to come get you an antibiotic.’”
