Latest news with #Blankenship
Newsweek
a day ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Woman Shares 9 Facts About Her Intersex Body, No Longer Feels 'Shameful'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An intersex woman who grew up feeling like she had to lie about herself is finally learning to embrace who she is and what makes her body different. When Jackie Blankenship was 4 years old, she was diagnosed with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, meaning she's intersex. It was a lifechanging diagnosis, but at the time, Blankenship had no idea what it meant. Her parents broached the subject when she was around 8 or 9 years old. Blankenship told Newsweek that they gave her some basic information they thought she would be able to process, but it was still incredibly hard to understand. "My mom has relatives with CAIS, so she asked the doctor to test me just in case. The results came back that their little girl had XY chromosomes, which is what we see in males," Blankenship said. "When I was 15, doctors advised my parents to have my testes (that were in my abdomen) removed. That was probably when I started having questions about my body, but I wasn't emotionally ready to talk about it." Jackie Blankenship, 40, attending a pageant event. Jackie Blankenship, 40, attending a pageant event. @mrsjackieblanks / TikTok Indeed, it wasn't until Blankenship, of Grandville, Michigan, reached her mid-twenties that she finally started to realize that her body was different. By that time, there was a world of information at her fingertips with the likes of Google taking off, and it was a way for her to become knowledgeable without having to ask doctors personally. Intersex refers to people who have genitals, chromosomes, or reproductive organs that don't fit into a binary definition of male or female. There are approximately 40 different ways that being intersex can present itself, with the most common types including a combination of chromosomes or having mixed genitals and sex organs. The Intersex Society of North America explains that it can be difficult to quantify the number of intersex cases because there is so much ambiguity. But it's estimated that androgen insensitivity syndrome occurs in one in every 130,000 births. While Blankenship was born with external genitalia, she has no internal reproductive organs. She had her testes surgically removed, but she didn't understand what was going on. In her young naivete, she thought she was having a hysterectomy. When she turned 18, she underwent dilation therapy to extend the vaginal canal, which was "definitely not a fun experience." But the impact of being intersex was more mental than physical. Her body seemed different to the girls around her, and from a young age she was encouraged not to speak about it. Living in silence and having to lie about who she is was a massive burden. Jackie Blankenship at a pageant event where she was competing. Jackie Blankenship at a pageant event where she was competing. @mrsjackieblanks / TikTok "I felt like I was more childish than my peers," Blankenship said. "My condition leaves me unable to grow body hair, and I never menstruate due to lack of ovaries or a uterus. So, as my friends went through those changes, I stayed the same on the outside with my height and breast development. I felt like there was a secret that I wasn't let in on." Despite knowing she couldn't menstruate, Blankenship recalls frequently taking a tampon or sanitary pad out of her mom's bathroom just so she could be like her friends. For so many years, she was filled with "shame and secrecy," and she felt embarrassed about her anatomy. Being told by doctors that she shouldn't tell anyone about it only added to that. Pageants were a big part of Blankenship's life during her twenties, but she never felt like she could speak openly about being intersex out of fear they wouldn't let her compete. She didn't want to be considered less of a woman, and there was (and still is) so much judgment. Over the years, Blankenship has done therapy, endless research, and even tried to find other people like her. But after getting married, becoming a mom (through a gestational carrier) and turning 40, she decided it was finally time to speak publicly and create a platform for acceptance. Jackie Blankenship pictured with her husband and daughter. Jackie Blankenship pictured with her husband and daughter. @mrsjackieblanks / TikTok Blankenship began sharing her experiences on TikTok (@mrsjackieblanks) in which she discusses being intersex. Many of her videos have gone viral with millions of views, including one which revealed nine facts about her that people might not have known. She no longer wants it to be an embarrassing secret—she wants to use her voice to advocate. Blankenship told Newsweek: "I feel like I am reclaiming my body by sharing what I thought was so shameful about myself. I turned 40 and felt like I still was a little girl. I've had experiences that I know are not uncommon in the intersex community but are never talked about. So, I decided I needed to share my whole self and heal this kiddo still inside me." Blankenship is still working on healing and embracing who she is, but she refuses to conceal it or lie. There are many misconceptions about those who are intersex. By using her social media platform to educate and speak positively, Blankenship hopes to tackle the stigma and misinformation. "The biggest misconception is that we are disordered and need fixing, when in fact more often than not, our bodies are functioning fine as they are. The fixing stems from doctors trying to normalize us into neat 'male' or 'female' boxes," she said. Is there a health issue you'd like to understand? Let us know via health@ We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles' stud safety left off an elite NFL list voted on by front office executives
The Eagles are noticeably absent from an elite list of NFL talent voted on by front office personnel. They've been mentioned as having the best roster in the NFL, and that's all been for a very good reason. The Philadelphia Eagles are loaded. We often say that, and it appears to be true yet again. Some say the offseason losses will catch up with them. Nothing could be further from the truth. Thanks to the NFL Draft and quality low-risk, high-reward signings, Vic Fangio's unit will be just as good, if not better, than the squad that embarrassed the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59. Philadelphia has a potential star in Ty Robinson. They have a legitimate Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate in Andrew Mukuba. The latter has earned some acclaim as a potential first-year starter, but it appears league-wide recognition must wait. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has been conducting a series of polls, gathering input from executives, coaches, and scouts. This time around, he used the info gained to rank safeties. Baltimore Ravens star Kyle Hamilton topped the list, but Philadelphia is void of any real mention. Yes, you read that correctly. There is not one Bird on the list of ten players. There are no honorable mentions. Nothing... It seems strange because, while Sydney Brown, Tristin McCollum, and Lewis Cine are still unproven, it seems that Reed Blankenship could have at least gotten mentioned. Blankenship was left off the most recent Pro Bowl roster, but he started on fire and led vote-getters at safety for a while. It's still hard to vote him into the top ten. Julian Love is ranked tenth and is probably a slightly better player than Blankenship. It still seems like he could have at least been an honorable mention, though. He's on par with many of the other guys who were mentioned, including former Eagle C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Blankenship is in a contract season and is certainly someone that Philadelphia should consider extending. In his first three seasons, he has been part of a Super Bowl-winning team and appeared in 40 regular-season games, including 34 starts. He has notched 225 tackles, eight interceptions, and 19 pass breakups.
USA Today
27-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
7 key Eagles who need to elevate their game in 2025
With Philadelphia's training camp fast approaching, we're looking at seven Eagles who'll need to elevate their games in 2025 for continued team success The Eagles have one of the best rosters in the NFL with few holes or personnel deficits. Philadelphia suffered several losses in the secondary and defensive line, but managed to improve in the short term, while accumulating potential All-Pro talent in the draft. The first wave of free agency saw Josh Sweat (Cardinals), Milton Williams (Patriots), Kenneth Gainwell (Steelers), Mekhi Becton (Chargers), and Oren Burks (Bengals) all depart. Vic Fangio's defense saw Darius Slay (Steelers), Isaiah Rodgers (Vikings), Avonte Maddox (Lions), and James Bradberry (UFA) all depart a Super Bowl roster. Nick Sirianni's team will need a mixture of veterans and rookies to step up, and we've identified seven players who need to elevate their games in 2025. OLB Nolan Smith Smith is looking to have a Von Miller-type impact for the Eagles in 2025 and attended the Pass Rush Summit this past week. While Jalen Carter has been a star since Day 1, Smith has quietly and intensely carved out a role in the NFL. As a rookie, Smith recorded 18 tackles and 1.0 sacks in 17 regular-season games. Playing behind Haason Reddick and Brandon Graham, the former Georgia star linebacker didn't play more than eight defensive snaps in a game until Week 12. Smith's coming-out party came during the Eagles' postseason run, when the confident former Georgia star made plays in every game, including the Super Bowl 59 win. In Year 2, he became an every-down contributor for the Eagles, playing 755 snaps in 2024 and grading out better against the run (74.0) than as a pass-rusher (68.3), but still managed to generate 50 pressures according to PFF. WR Jahan Dotson The Eagles acquired Dotson from the Commanders last summer in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick, two seventh-round picks for Dotson, and a fifth-round pick. Dotson caught 19 of 33 targets for 216 yards in 17 regular-season games with the Eagles in 2024 after being acquired in a trade from Washington. He also rushed once for 13 yards. Despite his struggles, Dotson played 649 offensive snaps during the regular season for Philadelphia, working as a No. 3 receiver behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. OL Tyler Steen The former third-round pick has lost out on the starting right guard job in the last couple of seasons, but the third time can be the charm, mainly while he competes with former first-round pick Kenyon Green. DB Reed Blankenship Blankenship has become a critical cog in the Eagles' Super Bowl history, and he's continuing to add honors to his resume. Blankenship logged 78 tackles (52 solo), six pass defenses (including four interceptions), and one fumble recovery in 15 regular-season games in 2024. Blankenship improved during the playoffs, logging 27 tackles (18 solo), one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery during the Eagles ' four-game run to the Super Bowl. Blankenship signed a one-year, $3.58 million contract extension with the Eagles last April after leading the team in tackles and interceptions. DT Moro Ojomo Ojomo finished the 2024 season with 20 total tackles (six solo) in 17 regular-season games, but will have to elevate his game after the departures of Brandon Graham (retired), Bryce Huff (trade), and Milton Williams (Patriots). Ojomo saw a significant increase in his role in his second season with the Eagles, logging 370 defensive snaps and 70 snaps on special teams. RB Will Shipley With Kenneth Gainwell leaving in free agency, Shipley will likely be the primary pass-catching back next year. Barkley and Gainwell didn't miss any time last season, so Shipley's opportunities were limited outside of blowout wins and a meaningless Week 18 game. Shipley displayed solid hands in that regular-season finale, catching four passes for 35 yards. The former Clemson star running back will battle A.J. Dillon for the backup role behind Saquon Barkley. DB Sydney Brown With several looming contract decisions on the horizon, the Eagles traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Houston, opening up a void at the safety position. Philadelphia drafted Andrew Mukuba in the second round of April's NFL draft, but third-year safety Sydney Brown sits best positioned to replace Gardner-Johnson in the starting lineup immediately. Brown is a physical, downhill safety, but he'll need to perform better in coverage and make plays when matched up one-on-one in space. Brown finished the 2024 season with seven total tackles (six solo), adding two passes defensed, one interception, and a forced fumble over 11 regular-season games. The safety missed the first five games of the year with a knee injury, limiting his upside early in the year. Brown saw his role on defense diminish in his second season with the Eagles, and in 2024, he operated primarily as a special-teams option. LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. The former Clemson star will get the first shot at replacing an injured Nakobe Dean. As a rookie in 2024, Trotter recorded 25 tackles (nine solo), including 0.5 sacks, and one pass defense while appearing in all 17 regular-season games. He added five stops (four solo) across four postseason games.
USA Today
24-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles' latest underdog story feels familiar for a reason
Another Reed Blankenship-type story may be taking shape in Philly. If you didn't know anything about him and watched him play, you might be tempted to think that Reed Blankenship was some mid-round draft steal. The Philadelphia Eagles' safety carries himself like a guy with a chip on his shoulder because he didn't think he should have heard his name announced as late as it was. But alas, that isn't Reed's story at all. He's a former undrafted rookie free agent who was passed over, underestimated, and forgotten. From night one until the selection of Brock Purdy, every NFL team ignored him several times during seven rounds of the 2022 selection meeting. There's an old saying, though, something about the losses of others being another's gain. Yeah... That's it! Now, that sounds like more of a Reed Blankenship style of story. He worked his hind parts off and made the 53-man roster, and since day one, he has played like he has a point to prove. Time has flown. He's in a contract season, the final year of a rookie deal he inked ahead of the 2022 NFL season. The Eagles may be reliving Reed Blankenship's story through Andre' Sam Andre' Sam isn't the owner of a name most pro football fans would recognize as easily as 'Blankenship'. He has a similar story, though. He also went undrafted. He also plays safety... He has also played well enough to convince coaches to keep him around. Sam was waived as part of the final roster cuts on August 26, 2024. He was re-signed to the practice squad two days later and eventually saw his first in-game action when elevated to the active roster in Week 14. His NFL debut came against the Carolina Panthers. He made one tackle. He and Blankenship both won their first Super Bowl this past February: Blankenship as a starter and Sam as a scout team member. So, why are we comparing these two? Based on the pedigree and their standing, it would seem there isn't enough to do so, but they're more alike than you may realize. Reed has already proven he belongs, and Sam may do so this summer. Philadelphia currently carries four listed safeties on their 90-man roster and two defensive backs who are basically safeties anyway. Rookie second-rounder Andrew Mukuba is still unsigned, but he'll make the team. If we had to construct an Eagles depth chart right now, Sam would be the sixth safety on a defensive unit that will probably only carry five on the 53-man roster. Right now, it feels like Sam will be among the tough roster cuts, like his ceiling is another stay on the practice squad. He's behind Blankenship, Mukuba, Sydney Brown, Tristin McCollum, and Lewis Cine on the depth chart, but he's ahead of Maxen Hook. The Eagles organization likes Brown more than Vic Fangio does. We have also seen Fangio mention McCollum without needing to be prompted, but he gave more first-team reps to Sam than McCollum during the spring practices that were open to the media. There's so much left to work out, but that's what this time of year is all about. Might Sam have a little 'Reed Blankenship' in him, or are we making something out of nothing by even assuming he could be a dark horse who could catapult himself onto the roster? Time will tell. Enjoy the show because this probably won't be the last time we talk about the Eagles' safety competition in detail.
Los Angeles Times
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- Los Angeles Times
Verge Motorcycles' U.S. Rollout Includes Century City Location
European technology company Verge Motorcycles' first U.S. store opened at Westfield Century City Shopping Center on June 1. Verge's second store opened at Westfield Valley Fair Mall in San Jose on June 6. Verge Motorcycles' international retail strategy is being driven by retail technology visionary George Blankenship, who was instrumental in developing Apple and Tesla's highly successful, ground-breaking showrooms. 'I see the same potential in Verge as I did at Apple two decades ago and Tesla one decade ago when those companies set out to completely redefine their industries,' said Blankenship, who now serves as Verge's chief revenue officer. 'I want Verge to be positioned wherever lots of people are spending time on a regular basis finding new things they might be surprised to see. Westfield Century City is one of the best shopping centers in the world, making it a perfect place for us to start our store operations in the United States.' Verge Motorcycles sees the West Coast as having all the right conditions to successfully launch its U.S. business. Motorcycling is popular in the region, and California also has the most extensive electric vehicle charging network in the country. In June of last year, Verge confirmed its plan to utilize Tesla's NACS charging connector, which means all bikes from day one will be able to utilize the expansive Tesla Supercharger network. 'The United States is already seen as one of our most important markets,' said Pekka Parnanen, chief operating officer of Verge USA. 'Many of the pre-orders for our bikes have come from the western region of the U.S. and California consumers, in particular, are widely known for appreciating and adopting new innovations. Our new stores in Los Angeles and San Jose will begin the rollout of our Verge experience to as many American motorcycle enthusiasts as possible.' In November 2024, at the LA Auto Show, Verge launched its new Starmatter platform, which brings software updates, sensor technology, artificial intelligence and an advanced user interface to motorcycling for the first time. At CES in Las Vegas, Verge announced an update to its flagship model with Starmatter Vision features, including multiple cameras and high-resolution radar, making Verge TS Ultra the first motorcycle equipped with the sense of sight. Information sourced by Verge Motorcycles. To learn more, contact press@
