Devoted caretaker praised by family of girl with rare disease
MOORE, Okla. (KFOR) – Imagine the joy of holding your newborn for the first time, only to hear doctors say your baby would live to the age of two. That's what the parents of a baby in Moore were devastated to hear when their little girl was born with a rare disease.
But, this little girl far surpassed two—in fact, she's about to celebrate her 16th birthday. And her family credits her long-term caretaker, Rhonda Monks, for lengthening her life.
'She's smart. She knew the capitols of every state,' said her proud grandpa, Davy Russell.
Arianna Wilson Russell was born with SMA, or spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic disease that leads to breathing and swallowing difficulties.
Pay It 4Ward: A faithful Norman tax preparer works for free
'She's a fighter, a tough little gal. So proud of her. It's hard. She means the world to me,' Davy said with tears in his eyes.
Arianna can talk, and these are the words Davy loves most to hear: ''I love you, Grandpa.''
But much of Arianna's communication is done with her eyes. The sophomore uses an Eyegaze system to complete school work, attend doctor visits, and speech therapy—and she even edits videos for her YouTube channel!
Standing by her side, where you'll often find her, Rhonda said, 'She emails her friends and she has a special friend.'
'We're more than just friends,' replied Alyssa.
Rhonda has cared for Arianna for nearly 10 years, and plans to stay as long as she's needed.
Rhonda's care is the reason Arianna's father, Gerald Russell, believes his daughter has blown her estimated life expectancy out of the water.
'Can't say enough about her. Can never be replaced. She's family,' Gerald said of Rhonda.
To truly understand the depth of their gratitude, you must also understand the depth of their grief. Arianna had an older sister also diagnosed with SMA. Cadence lived for just three months.
'Lost her Christmas Day,' Davy said, 'Probably one of the saddest days of my life.'
But because Cadence's younger sister is thriving, Davy nominated Rhonda for a surprise Pay It 4Ward award from First Fidelity Bank.
'I've walked some of the same path': Counselor guides Bethany man to the road of success
'We are so thankful for people like Rhonda and the care that they put into everything they do, especially with kids of all kinds of needs. So, we are very excited to present $400 for her today,' said First Fidelity Bank Representative Caitlin Melgar.
As Davy handed the money to Rhonda, he said, 'Letting you know how much I appreciate you. You're awesome. Arianna loves you to death. The family loves you to death. You mean the world to us.'
'Is it okay if I hug you?' Rhonda asked. With arms outstretched, Davy replied, 'Yes, ma'am.'
'She is such a blessing, and I'm honored to be able to be her caregiver,' Rhonda said of Arianna. 'She's such a fun kid, and she makes my life better. She's grown a lot in her attitude, mind, body, spirit. We got to teach her how to read. And she's taught us as much or more as we've taught her.'
'Does your head need to come up?' Rhonda asked Arianna. 'A little bit, thank you,' she said.
'You're welcome. Arianna has very good manners, she's very kind,' Rhonda said.
'The doctors are all surprised,' Gerald said. 'All of them keep saying to just keep doing what she's doing. There's no end in sight now, the girl's gonna keep going – and it's something pretty magical.'
A magical journey for all who know Arianna, now about to celebrate her Sweet 16th, as she continues to shatter the odds.
'I am brave,' Arianna said proudly.
Yes, she truly is.
Pay it 4Ward is sponsored by First Fidelity Bank.Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Deion Sanders Breaks Silence Amid Undisclosed Health Issue
Deion Sanders is touched by the outpouring support amid his undisclosed health issue, but the University of Colorado football coach says fans need not worry. Coach Prime took to social media on Wednesday to calm the waters amid speculation there's growing concern about his health. Sanders has been away from the program while reportedly dealing with an illness in Texas. Advertisement That the illness hasn't been disclosed is only adding fuel to the fire. But Sanders is now addressing the issue head-on, sort of. "Wow, I am truly blessed for the abundance of well wishes, for all the thoughts and all of the prayers. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I can assure you all that everything is OKAY and will continue to be so," he tweeted. "God got me like no other. I have so much more work to do to Glorify God so please believe God got me! I'm excited to get back to Colorado to be at home with my staff, team & all associated to our program. When we arrive back to Boulder you will be updated on everything. Until then, I'M COMING BABY." ESPN had previously reported that the 57-year-old coach's return would not be known and no timetable has been set. For his part, Sanders also didn't divulge details on when he'll return to the program, only that he will return at some point. Advertisement Sanders' son, Deion Sanders Jr., said on a YouTube livestream on Sunday that his dad is "feeling well." Later that day, concerns grew after Sanders canceled a speaking engagement in Florida due to "unavoidable last-minute scheduling change," according to The Foundation for Sickle Cell Research. The former Dallas Cowboys great has dealt with some health issues in the past, most notably in 2022, when he had two of his toes on his left foot amputated due to blood clot complications stemming from a prior surgery. Deion Sanders Breaks Silence Amid Undisclosed Health Issue first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 11, 2025
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
I'm a doctor — this ancient 27-calorie condiment has ‘insane health benefits'
Your stomach has had enough. From crash cleanses and drastic detoxes to pricey probiotics, the internet is full of digestive fads. But the real fix is probably already sitting in your fridge. This humble, no-frills snack packs just 27 calories per serving and can deliver 'insane health benefits' in as little as 30 days, according to Dr. Steven Gundry, a physician, bestselling author and former heart surgeon. Advertisement 4 Dr. Steven Gundry studies the role that the gut microbiome plays in chronic disease and longevity. The Dr. Gundry Podcast/YouTube Enter sauerkraut. This classic condiment consists of finely shredded cabbage that has been mixed with salt and then fermented by lactic acid bacteria. That fermentation process gives sauerkraut its famous tangy and extends its shelf life, making it a staple on dinner tables for centuries. Advertisement It also produces several byproducts that are 'hugely beneficial' for your health, Gundry explained in a YouTube video. Among them: postbiotics. These bioactive compounds come from live bacteria and microorganisms that break down the sugars in cabbage while it's fermenting. During this process, they produce metabolites and parts of their cell walls as they die off. These leftovers are what scientists call postbiotics. Advertisement 4 Humans have been making sauerkraut for centuries. Madeleine Steinbach – Working alongside the prebiotic fiber in cabbage, postbiotics boost gut microbiome diversity, which is essential for smooth digestion, nutrient absorption and a strong immune system. They can also help dial down inflammation. Advertisement A recent study from the University of California, Davis found that sauerkraut outperformed raw cabbage in protecting intestinal cells from inflammation-related damage — a potential game-changer for digestive disorders like inflammatory bowel disease. 'Even if we have just a regular serving of sauerkraut … we'll find that can help us in the long run against inflammation, for example, and make our digestive tract more resilient when we have a disturbance,' said lead author Dr. Maria Marco, a professor of food science and technology. 4 Sauerkraut can protect your gut from the damage caused by inflammation. Andrey Popov – Gundry also pointed out that many foods contain harmful compounds meant to animals and people from eating them, which can mess with human digestion. Luckily, 'these plant defense compounds, like lectins and oxalates, are eaten in the fermentation process' when sauerkraut is made, he said. An added bonus: Sometimes garlic and scallions get added to sauerkraut for flavor and they bring their own health perks. 'There are some really cool compounds in garlic and scallions called allicin, which really helps repair the lining of your blood vessels and your blood-brain barrier,' Gundry said. 'Any time you can get these compounds in you, the better.' Gut gains in 30 days — if you do it right Advertisement If you incorporate saurkraut in your diet, Gundry said your gut could start thanking you in as little as a month's time. 'Studies have shown that humans who have done this actually have remarkable improvements in inflammatory markers [and] remarkable improvements in gut biodiversity,' he said. 'That's what's going to happen when you eat these foods for 30 days.' 4 Eating too many fermented foods too quickly can lead to gastrointestinal issues. Pormezz – Advertisement But before you dive headfirst into that jar, just know you should take it slow. 'If you're not used to eating fermented foods or a lot of fiber, your gut bacteria thinks fiber is delicious — and they let you know by producing lots of gas and bloating,' Gundry warned. He said you might even see changes in how often you hit the bathroom. The trick: begin with a small amount daily and work up to a full serving, which is about a half-cup. Your body will adjust in 30 days, he said. When shopping for sauerkraut, Gundry also noted that many brands add a 'remarkable' amount of sugar to make the product more palatable for Americans. Advertisement If you don't like the flavor, Gundry recommends adding allulose instead — a no-calorie sweetener that's also a prebiotic, giving your gut a double boost. But no matter how much you eat, remember: consistency is key. Research shows that probiotic foods provide the most benefits when consumed regularly.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Who Will Fix New Mexico's Mental Health Problems?
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Lawmakers agree the system isn't working, especially when it comes to how courts handle people with mental illness. A new law promises major reforms and millions in investment toward behavioral health in New Mexico. But what will actually change, and when? This week on the New Mexico News Insiders Podcast, Chris and Gabby speak with two insiders tasked with leading reform efforts about what this law means for judges, access to treatment, and the long road ahead. The state put about $100 million into the behavioral health trust fund in the session,' explained Sarah Jacobs, Deputy Director for the Administrative Office of the Courts. 'It's my understanding that they intend to continue to put into that fund.' Listen to the full discussion above to hear what is being prioritized with the new legislation, and who will have a seat at the table during the reform process. Stay informed with the latest news by subscribing to the New Mexico News Insiders podcast wherever you listen. Download new episodes of the New Mexico News Insiders every Tuesday, starting around 5:30 a.m., Mountain time. Episodes are available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean, among others. You can also watch our podcasts in video form, both on-air and online. Tune in to an abbreviated version of the New Mexico News Insiders podcast on broadcast television every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. on Fox New Mexico. Full video episodes are posted on KRQE's YouTube page at Having trouble finding the show? Try searching your favorite podcast player with the term 'KRQE' or 'New Mexico News Insiders' (without the quotes). You can also use the links above to find the podcast on each service or listen to the audio player at the top of this post. If you have a question, comment, or suggestion for who should be interviewed on the podcast, let us know! Email your hosts at or Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
