Latest news with #Syd
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
‘How do you cope with death sentence?' – England cricket icon David Lawrence reveals ‘torture' of slow decline with MND
DAVID LAWRENCE knows he is going to die. He does not know when, but he knows it will be soon. Last year, when Lawrence received a shattering diagnosis of incurable Motor Neurone Disease, his life was heartbreakingly changed. And shortened. 7 7 7 Former England fast bowler Lawrence - known throughout cricket as 'Syd' - is confronting his illness with remarkable positivity and stoicism. He even says he is lucky in some ways because of the support of his wife Gaynor and son Buster. Yet the impact has transformed his very existence. Lawrence, 61, has been one of cricket 's great characters - a heart-on-the-sleeve speedster and an extrovert with a booming voice. Now he has written a book in which he recalls how a broken kneecap ended his England career, being the last bowler to dismiss his hero Viv Richards in Test cricket and his subsequent careers as nightclub owner and bodybuilder. Most of all, though, it is about his MND. It is emotional, inspiring and tough to read at times. Lawrence writes: 'My physical deterioration over a number of months has been a painful experience. I have got weaker and weaker and can do less and less. 'First, it was the removal of the ability to move myself from one place to another, then it was things like being able to wash and use the toilet. 'The ability to hold a knife and fork and bring food and drink to my mouth then started to wobble until it became impossible. "Holding the TV remote control was another small thing that gave me some independence and now that has gone, too. Emotional moment that David 'Syd' Lawrence uses a recording of his voice to thank charity cricket match 'I needed some help getting extra oxygen into my lungs at night, so I had a machine to help me with that. I now require that help during the day, too. 'I knew this is what I had to look forward to, but the reality is far more painful than I imagined. 'My voice has got so weak now that it is all but gone. I am having to use the automated voice bank that I programmed a few months ago when I was still strong enough to say words clearly and with a bit of volume. 'The computer is operated by a screen in front of my face and it tracks my eyes so that the cursor moves as I look across the keyboard and I can spell out the words that I wish to say. 'Once I have my sentence completed, then it speaks it out loud for me, in my voice. It is a very clever bit of kit. I can also use it to send messages directly on WhatsApp, which has given me back some independence when it comes to communicating with friends. 7 7 'When it comes to the loss of my voice, I knew this would happen. But it has been quicker than I expected. This disease has no class. It has no empathy. 'Bit by bit, I'm being stripped back. But what can I do? 'My real concern now is swallowing, which has become harder and harder as the muscles around my throat have become weaker. Even the act of taking on water is not straightforward. Swallowing, like breathing, is a fundamental part of living. 'This is where the disease leads. Losing my ability to walk seemed like the worst thing. I initially thought I could take up something like wheelchair rugby. Maybe even the Paralympics. 'But, after the diagnosis, I realised I wouldn't be able to stop the disease from attacking other parts of my body until nothing worked any more. 'Watching the continued slide is so hard for those closest to you. I wish I could just give Gaynor a big bear hug and tell her it will be OK. I can't put my arms around her and show her how much I love her. 'I am feeling hopeful I still have enough time to enjoy this summer because the cricket season brings the weather I love.' Lawrence lost the use of his legs last year and spent weeks in hospital undergoing tests before MND was confirmed. He added: 'All I could think of were images of the former rugby league star Rob Burrow and how he was at the end. A fraction of the size that he used to be. Unable to talk, move or express himself beyond a computer. 'How do you cope with what is effectively a death sentence?' **In Syd's Voice - The Extraordinary Life of Dave Lawrence is published on Thursday. A minimum of £0.50, evenly split between the MND Association and the Cricketers' Trust, will be donated for every copy sold. 7
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
100 year old plant watering system that means you don't have to water daily
A gardener has shared an ancient watering system that helps her stay on top of her plant care in her garden - and it's an easy DIY hack to follow at home A keen gardener has shared a clever trick for keeping on top of plant care using an ancient technique. In a TikTok video from 2024, Syd Roope showcased her homemade olla, a type of porous clay pot used for slow-release irrigation. Ollas have been around for over 2,000 years, with the first recorded mention in the Fan Sheng-Chih Shu, an ancient agricultural textbook. Syd created her own DIY version using a terracotta pot and saucer, which she buries underground and fills with water. As the soil dries out, the olla releases water, reducing the need for frequent watering. Syd explained: "In the summer when it gets really, really hot, you probably have to water once, maybe twice a day when it gets to be like 110 degrees (43 degrees celsius). "But with this, you bury it underground, and because it's porous, it will leach out water when the soil gets really dry, and the roots will come attached to this so that I don't have to come here and water it every day." The hack impressed fellow gardening enthusiasts, who praised Syd for her ingenuity. Experts at Plantura have shared several benefits to using ollas in your garden, such as the reduced need for regular watering, reports the Express. They've also identified that using ollas results in less weeding since "the topsoil remains drier, weeds germinate less easily". They also suggest it's a savvy method for reducing diseases and pests, noting: "Watering with ollas keeps the plant leaves dry, eliminating moisture-loving fungal diseases such as downy mildew and late blight. Slugs also have a harder time moving over dry soil." The team at Plantura have gone one step further, offering a how-to guide for crafting your own ollas at home, helping you save on costly alternatives. How to make your own olla Glue the large opening of two unglazed clay pots together. No water should be able to escape through the join. Now glue the flat clay shard over one of the drainage holes so that no water can get through. (Alternatively, you can use mortar, silicone, a flat stone or a cork to seal the drainage hole.) Lastly, fill the homemade olla with water (using a funnel if necessary) via the unsealed drainage hole on the opposite side. The saucer serves as a lid for your homemade olla. You can also buy Olla irrigation pots online. These sell from upwards of £10. They can be bought easily online. The self-watering clay pots are particularly effective in very dry climates. That is why Spanish settlers introduced the technique to the Americas in colonial times. The technique has now made a comeback in New Mexico and the American West. Plantura is an online shop where you can buy gardening goods.
Miami Herald
16-03-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Soccer star Sydney Leroux makes heartbreaking announcement about her career
Soccer star Sydney Leroux is taking a break from the sport but promises she'll be back. On Sunday, March 16, the 34-year-old took to Instagram to announce her decision to step away from soccer in order to turn her focus to her mental health. 'This is one of the hardest things I've ever had to say or admit to myself,' Leroux began her statement. 'But after a lot of reflection, I've made the difficult decision to step away from soccer for my mental health.' As Leroux continued, she said that 'anyone who knows me knows I'm a fighter. I always have been.' 'I take pride in pushing through, in showing up, in giving everything I have, but right now,' Leroux shared, 'I owe it to myself and my children to take a step back and take care of me.' Having always taken pride in being honest, the soccer star and mom of two, wrote that 'this moment is no different.' Sharing a message directly to 'everyone who has supported me, loved me, and believed in me, thank you,' she wrote. 'This isn't goodbye. I will be back, just like always, in true Syd fashion.' In the caption, Leroux noted that 'taking a break from soccer to focus on my mental health was a really tough decision but I know it's the best choice.' She also nipped any potential pregnancy rumors in the bud, writing, 'Also I know some of you can get a little carried away so I wanted to squash the pregnancy rumors right away. I'll be back just like always.' Fans applauded Leroux in the comment section. 'As a fellow fighter. Toughest thing about mental health challenges is the surrender. Warriors need help too. Proud of you,' one fan wrote. 'I am so proud of you! Love you so so so much booboos,' another added. 'We love you Syd. We'll be here the whole way for you in whatever way you may need. Rest on up, heal on up. We got you,' shared a fan. Leroux plays forward for Angel City FC in the National Women's Soccer League. She was a member of the United States women's national team for the 2012 Olympics and the 2015 World Cup.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
'We're being left out': These travelers feel targeted by State Department changes
Ash was looking at a map before their trip to Spain last year when they realized they would be close to Morocco. "I love the food, the architecture. I started getting really excited," said the 34-year-old. "Then I was like, 'OK, before I get ahead of myself, I should pause and look online.' " Ash, who is transgender and nonbinary, wasn't sure whether it'd be safe to visit. There have been reports of violent crime and threats against members of the LGBTQ+ community in the African country, and same-sex sexual activity is criminalized. The U.S. State Department's LGBTQI+ Travelers page was one of the sites that helped the Bay Area resident determine not to stop there. But last month its language was modified to remove references to trans and other queer travelers, leaving only 'LGB.' Ash, who works in marketing, no longer feels represented in the guidance they once found helpful. 'I mean, to me that spells it pretty clearly that this is not a resource for people like me, and I do not expect it to be useful at all,' they said. Some sources are identified by first name only due to safety and privacy concerns. Ash is among a number of LGBTQ+ travelers who said the changes have left them questioning whether those State Department recommendations are useful or trustworthy. The State Department has removed language addressing many LGBTQ+ travelers, including those who are transgender, queer, intersex and asexual, leaving guidance only for those who are lesbian, gay or bisexual, according to an archived version of the page. Language warning travelers of conversion therapy practices in some countries has been pared down, and a section for those with an X gender marker on their passports has been removed almost entirely. The changes came after President Donald Trump issued an executive order requiring the federal government to recognize only male and female sexes and that they 'are not changeable.' Similar references were purged or edited on other government webpages, including at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Park Service. Chicago-based Syd canceled a planned February trip to Mexico because they weren't sure if their passport, which had an X gender marker, would be valid or not. The 26-year-old, who is nonbinary, eventually got the marker changed. A spokesperson for the State Department told USA TODAY in January that it had suspended processing applications "seeking a different sex marker than that defined by the terms in the Executive Order.' 'It's definitely partially, like, we're being left out – like, trans people specifically are being left out of the conversation, but at the same time they're being targeted,' said Syd, who works as a teacher. They noted that even the website's previous language felt more like a starting point than a comprehensive guide. 'Was it super specific? No, it wasn't super specific. Did I have to do further research? Yes,' they said. 'But at least the information didn't feel like it was completely bogus.' The State Department referred a request for comment to the White House. A White House official referred USA TODAY to the president's executive orders. John Tanzella, president and CEO of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) said travel guidance 'should reflect the full diversity of our community, not just because it's the right thing to do but because it directly impacts traveler safety.' 'Trans and gender-diverse travelers often face unique challenges that their cisgender counterparts do not, including invasive airport screenings, difficulties with gender markers on passports, and barriers to accessing gender-affirming accommodations,' he said in an email. Depending on the destination, they may also face legal restrictions or heightened discrimination. Even for some who are still represented on the site, the changes raise questions. As a gay man, James Jones-Chatelain said he has used the website for travel planning in the past and found the updates 'frustrating but also hurtful because (the Trump administration) had to go out of their way to remove a resource that was already there when they arrived.' The 38-year-old Las Vegas resident is more skeptical of it now. Some gay men have tried to distance themselves from the trans rights movement, arguing that they shouldn't be automatically grouped together. However, Jones-Chatelain, who works as a maintenance coordinator for an apartment management company, felt the State Department's move could have implications for all LGBTQ+ travelers. 'With them specifically modifying their website against one particular portion of the community, who's to say that it's still a safe or trustworthy source for the rest of the community?' he said. The State Department isn't the only place travelers can find recommendations. 'While the remaining information (on the State Department website) may still offer useful insights, we encourage travelers to consult multiple sources when planning their trips,' Tanzella said. IGLTA offers travel guides (click here to open), and he noted that queer media outlets and LGBTQ+ content creators share on-the-ground experiences. Ash similarly said that Reddit is helpful for finding residents who can share local perspectives. For their part, Ash's approach to international travel hasn't changed; they are still similarly cautious about where they choose to visit. They are more concerned by the idea of their plane being diverted to a U.S. state that is less welcoming to LGBTQ+ visitors. 'I would say my feelings still remain the same, more or less, in terms of my safety going abroad,' Ash said. 'If anything, my feelings about my safety returning home have been the things that I've been most nervous about.' Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These travelers can't trust State Dept. guidance after LGBTQ+ changes
