Latest news with #CaringBridge
IOL News
2 days ago
- General
- IOL News
The Hangout: A (caring) bridge over troubled water
Today could be one of my favourite days of the year, right next to the International Day of Happiness, which is celebrated throughout the world on 20 March- but was actually established by the UN General Assembly on 28 June 2012. The International Day of Happiness aims to help people around the world realise the importance of happiness in their lives. I mean, we all know it's important, but sometimes it just feels a little harder to find- or sometimes even impossible. Sigh. It's the little things, though, and that's why today is so important too. It's World Caring Day today, and it was only made official in 2022. I know I harp on about spreading kindness pretty often, but I think it's so important- it can change lives like a domino effect. I also think that, with the amount of stress and struggle out there right now, we forget to be a bit more understanding and a little more compassionate. And honestly, that's totally understandable if you've just hit seven ginormous potholes in 300 metres, your 19th friend has emigrated, your fridge has just packed up, and your boss can't pay you on time. Stuff is hard. And it's getting harder. But that smile you share with a stranger in the grocery store, or that half a sandwich you give to the guy at the traffic light or stop street- it helps. It all helps. And we have to try to remember that, no matter what we're going through, someone else out there is going through worse. That little bit of love you give today might just come back to you like a boomerang tomorrow. I don't think you should ever give just to get something in return- but I'm pretty sure that's how karma works, isn't it? So- World Caring Day! What are you going to do today to celebrate it? I think it should be as important as any other big day. A public holiday even (haha kidding)! Do something, no matter how big or small, to brighten your own life- or someone else's. Be kind to yourself. Show yourself a little love. Or treat someone to a surprise, like it's Easter or Valentine's Day. We all try to do our 67 minutes for Mandela Day, so why not this too? I'm sure Madiba would be pretty happy to know there are even more days when people lend a helping hand and show a little extra kindness. World Caring Day traces its roots back to 7 June 1997, inspired by the brief but meaningful nine-day life of baby Brighid. Born prematurely, Brighid's journey sparked something powerful- Sona Mehring, a software engineer and family friend, created the very first CaringBridge website to keep loved ones informed and connected. Through this site, Brighid's family received not only updates but also an outpouring of love, support, and comfort when they needed it most. It was like an online support group- at a time when social media didn't even exist yet! What started as a simple act of care quickly grew into something much bigger- a global community called CaringBridge. This non-profit is all about bringing families and friends together during life's toughest health journeys, offering a space filled with love, comfort, and support. Since 2021, around 45 million people from across the globe have visited CaringBridge. Every hour, more than 1,900 heartfelt messages of hope and encouragement are shared with loved ones through the site. Maybe you're also in need of a little care, inspiration, or advice right now- so head over to Go for that meal you can't really afford. Tell the cashier she looks lovely today. Take yourself to the movies and switch off from all your problems for an hour or two. Or take a walk in the park with your phone on silent. Be kind to yourself and to others today- and maybe that kindness will catch on and carry over into tomorrow, and the next day too. Now, I'm already getting excited for National Hug & High Five Day, which is celebrated in the U.S. on 12 September… but I'll be celebrating it here anyway. Who's with me? Can I just say yay.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Shark attack survivor Lulu Gribbin shares her story with Monday Morning Quarterback Club
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — It's been almost nine months since Lulu Gribbin was attacked by a shark in Walton County, Florida. On June 9, 2024, her mother Ann Blair Gribbin wrote on the Caring Bridge website that the shark had bitten off her daughter's left hand, and they had to amputate her right leg from her knee to her hip. The Mountain Brook High School student shared her story with the Monday Morning Quarterback Club and with local news outlets for the first time on Thursday. Gribbin had been invited to appear as the keynote speaker as the Club announced $2.4 million in grants to 34 nonprofits during their Next Level Impact luncheon. The 16-year-old told reporters she is excited to have just gotten her driver's license after taking an adaptive driving class. Gribbin shared about what happened on June 7, and how she hopes to use her experience to help other amputees. 'Imagine looking down at your hand and there's nothing there, just flesh and bone,' she stated. Gribbin explained that she and her friends had been in the water diving for sand dollars when life changed in an instant. 'As we were riding the waves in,' she noted, 'I turned around and heard my best friend scream, 'shark'.' Gribbin said her hand was bitten off, and the shark latched onto her leg. She was rescued and flown to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where her mom said the first words she spoke after the breathing tube was removed were 'I made it.' Gribbin shared with the audience what she meant by that expression during her keynote address: 'Through the pain, agony, sorrow and grief I made it,' she said. 'I pushed myself, because I wanted to do it for those who didn't make it; I chose to fight.' Now the young woman said she's utilizing the facilities at Children's of Alabama. She's also launching the Lulu Strong Foundation. 'Through my foundation I would love to have kids be able to experience what I've experienced and have just an amazing life an amputee,' she said. Still standing by her man, Richard Scrushy's wife insinuates Satanic conspiracy in prosecution of former HealthSouth CEO Gribbin wants to figure out a way to help amputees get prosthetics faster, and to make them lighter weight. She demonstrated the use of her new prosthetic hand for reporters: 'So I can turn it in circles, and I can close it and open it,' Gribbin said. The technology has different modes which allows her to pick up different items. On Thursday we also heard from 17-year-old McCray Faust who was with Gribbin in the water that day: 'I was bit on my lower leg in the arch of my foot,' Faust explained. 'It severed all the ligaments and nerves in the bottom of my foot.' She said she also had to be taken to the same hospital in Panama City as Gribbin and had surgery on her foot. Faust added that she's worked hard to learn how to walk again. She and Lulu's twin sister Ellie Gribbin plan to form a junior board to host events for the foundation, along with other friends who were with them on that fateful day. Their first event will involve golf, now that Lulu has fallen in love with the sport. When she was asked what message she would like to share with the world she had this to say: 'Never give up and stay positive, even in the most challenging times.' The last thing Lulu told reporters was she would not change things for the better: 'I've had so many amazing opportunities and I'm just so glad to be blessed by the Lord, and all my family and friends behind me.' Ellie Gribbin talked about the role of faith in this journey: 'It's all a part of God's plan,' she said. 'God put every person there for a reason and he just worked in so many ways that day, and still works in ways today.' For more information on her foundation, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Express Tribune
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Andrew Cross, Desert Drifter YouTube star, dies at 36
Prominent adventurer Andrew Cross, known to his half-million YouTube followers as 'Desert Drifter,' passed away on Tuesday at the age of 36 after being taken off life support. His family made the difficult decision following a severe car accident in Colorado on January 31 that left Cross with a catastrophic brain injury. He had been on life support for nearly a month, during which time his condition showed little improvement. Cross, a Virginia native, was rear-ended at high speed while stopped at a light, leading to emergency brain surgery to address the bleeding on his brain. Despite efforts to save him, his family reported in late February that his recovery was unlikely, as medical opinions suggested his chances of regaining consciousness were slim. They ultimately decided that continuing life support was not in line with what Andrew would have wanted. In a tribute on CaringBridge, his sister Jenna Spooner described his passing as peaceful, surrounded by love and light. Fans of Cross, who documented desert tours and mountain climbs on his channel, have flooded social media with tributes. Many admired his exploration of the American West, particularly his focus on Native American culture and history. One fan wrote on X, "Thank you for taking me places I will never go. I'll see you in the stars." Another said, 'His respect for nature and the indigenous history was admirable. What a terrible loss." In the aftermath of his passing, Andrew's family expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming support from his fans and the broader community. A GoFundMe campaign raised over $482,000 for his wife Evelyn, who had been by his side throughout the ordeal. Andrew's legacy will live on through the stories and videos he shared with his devoted followers
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
YouTuber Andrew Cross Passes Away at 36
The news of Andrew Cross' death has left fans and loved ones mourning the loss of the popular YouTuber. The content creator, who gained a loyal following for his outdoor adventure videos, recently faced a critical health battle following a tragic accident. As tributes pour in, many are remembering his contributions and impact. Andrew Cross, widely recognized as the YouTuber 'Desert Drifter,' has passed away at the age of 36. His death on March 4 came a month after he suffered a severe brain injury in a car accident on February 1. His sister, Jenna Spooner, confirmed the news on CaringBridge, where she had been sharing updates about his condition. Following the accident, Cross remained on life support until March 3, when he was taken off life support. Spooner stated that Cross passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife, Evelyn, his parents, and close friends. As a tribute, the hospital staff honored him with a final walk through the ICU before removing life support. Spooner added, 'Then in the room, friends & family read scripture, prayed, and sang during the process of removing life support and for over an hour afterwards.' She concluded, 'Andrew really lived life to the fullest, and his story & impact isn't over yet. It's been wonderful to get to know him in new ways as we've seen photos and stories shared by so many. We look forward to more of that as we honor a life well lived.' Cross, who started his YouTube journey in late 2023, had built a strong following of nearly 500,000 subscribers. His content focused on outdoor adventures, earning him a dedicated audience. Evelyn expressed gratitude for the support and kind messages from fans, acknowledging the deep impact he had through his videos. Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on ComingSoon. The post YouTuber Andrew Cross Passes Away at 36 appeared first on Mandatory.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What Happened to Andrew Cross? YouTuber Passes Away
The news of Andrew Cross' death has left fans and loved ones mourning the loss of the popular YouTuber. The content creator, who gained a loyal following for his outdoor adventure videos, recently faced a critical health battle following a tragic accident. As tributes pour in, many are remembering his contributions and impact. Andrew Cross, widely recognized as the YouTuber 'Desert Drifter,' has passed away at the age of 36. His death on March 4 came a month after he suffered a severe brain injury in a car accident on February 1. His sister, Jenna Spooner, confirmed the news on CaringBridge, where she had been sharing updates about his condition. Following the accident, Cross remained on life support until March 3, when he was taken off life support. Spooner stated that Cross passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife, Evelyn, his parents, and close friends. As a tribute, the hospital staff honored him with a final walk through the ICU before removing life support. Spooner added, 'Then in the room, friends & family read scripture, prayed, and sang during the process of removing life support and for over an hour afterwards.' She concluded, 'Andrew really lived life to the fullest, and his story & impact isn't over yet. It's been wonderful to get to know him in new ways as we've seen photos and stories shared by so many. We look forward to more of that as we honor a life well lived.' Cross, who started his YouTube journey in late 2023, had built a strong following of nearly 500,000 subscribers. His content focused on outdoor adventures, earning him a dedicated audience. Evelyn expressed gratitude for the support and kind messages from fans, acknowledging the deep impact he had through his videos. The post What Happened to Andrew Cross? YouTuber Passes Away appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
