Latest news with #distress
Daily Mail
24-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Doctors told us our newborn's grunting was just normal 'baby noise'... but now she is on life support
Imagine the devastation of finding out that what you thought were normal 'baby noises' were actually a sign that your newborn was in severe distress. It seems like every parent's nightmare - but it was a reality for Stephanie Mulhall-Atkinson, 37, and Justin Atkinson, 33. The couple, from Canada, welcomed their daughter, Sloane, in October 2024, and immediately after her birth, they noticed the newborn was making strange 'noises' that sounded like she was 'grunting.' But doctors assured them that she was just extra vocal, declared Sloane as 'perfectly healthy,' and 'released her without any concern.' Six weeks later, Stephanie and Justin watched their daughter go from 'a happy, smiley, and chatty' baby to 'intubated in the PICU' and fighting for her life. While chatting with the Daily Mail about the horrific ordeal, Stephanie explained, 'We raised concern [about her grunting noises] to many different doctors and nurses while we were in the hospital for five days post-birth, including the pediatrician. 'They all said that her lungs sounded clear so she was fine and that she was just a vocal baby making normal baby sounds.' The grunting didn't stop after they brought Sloane home, but Stephanie just assumed it was normal baby gargling because that's what the hospital doctors had told her. 'We were told that it was just her baby noises and that she was very vocal,' she explained. But Sloane began to develop other symptoms. She was sometimes sweaty and seemed extra fussy any time she was held. And when she was about six-and-a-half weeks old, things took a drastic turn when the infant suddenly stopped eating. Stephanie and Justin also noticed a 'very faint blue tint around her mouth,' so they took her to the emergency room. '[When we got there] she was making her grunting noises. As soon as the doctors heard the noises they asked if she had always done that and we said yes and that we were told it was just her normal baby noise,' recalled Stephanie. 'We were then told that it actually is a sign of distress and not normal at all. Everything escalated from there.' Doctors rushed to do tests on the youngster to figure out what was wrong, and they then got the heartbreaking news that Sloane's heart was not working properly. 'They performed an echocardiogram to get a picture of her heart and as soon as the image popped up on the screen we saw the look of "I knew it" on the ER doctor's face,' Stephanie continued. '"Her heart is barely pumping" is all we really remember hearing. She was rushed up to the PICU, sedated and intubated immediately.' Stephanie and Justin soon learned that their newborn was battling something known as dilated cardiomyopathy, which was caused by a 'genetic mutation.' It meant her heart was 'very enlarged' and 'unable to pump hard enough on its own.' They were told she was in end stage heart failure and that she would require a heart transplant to survive. 'There are no words to describe those first acute days and weeks and hearing that your tiny baby needs a heart transplant,' Stephanie said. 'It was an out of body experience. Your brain cannot comprehend that.' They were especially 'devastated and angry' that the doctors after she gave birth had been so dismissive, which meant their little Sloane had spent weeks in distress. 'For the six weeks we had her home we just thought her noises were cute. Finding out that it meant she had been in distress that whole time was unbearable,' Stephanie scathed. 'It should have raised red flags [with the doctors] because [we now know that] grunting a sign of distress in babies.' Sloane is now on a life support device and has been living in the hospital for the past seven months while awaiting her transplant. Stephanie and Justin have raised over $25,000 on GoFundMe, which has made it possible for them to be by her side every step of the way. 'Thanks to the support we have received financially we've been able to both take time off from working and completely focus our attention on her,' shared Stephanie. And she revealed that her daughter is 'thriving' all things considered. 'The device has allowed her to grow and develop "normally." She is the happiest baby EVER and she truly is thriving,' the mom-of-one concluded.
BBC News
19-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Blackpool: Person 250m out to sea rescued by lifeboat crew
A person "in distress" about 820ft (250m) from the shore has been rescued from the sea by a lifeboat Blackpool said it received a report of concern for a person's safety in the water opposite the Viking Hotel on South Promenade, Blackpool, shortly after 05:30 BST. The lifeboat charity said it was the fifth call out this week but the "most serious".The volunteer crews gave the casualty immediate care before handing them to the care of the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) when they returned to shore. The RNLI said it had a report of a second person possibly in the sea in a similar location and a second lifeboat was launched. But the alert was a false alarm. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Yahoo
Hamilton man guilty of causing distress to animal, fined $2K after video showed him dragging dog
WARNING: This story contains disturbing details about animal cruelty. A Hamilton man has been found guilty of causing distress to an animal and fined $2,000, two years after a video showed him dragging his dog down a sidewalk. Neil Stratford was convicted on June 10 under Ontario's Animal Welfare Services Act, the Ministry of the Solicitor General announced recently. Ministry spokesperson Brent Ross told CBC Hamilton the charges were related to the video. In it, Stratford is seen whipping Merlin with a leash and pulling him roughly 100 metres down a sidewalk in the Dundas area. CBC Hamilton attempted to reach Stratford for comment by phone. The person who answered at his residence hung up after a reporter told the individual who was calling. The 2023 video was widely shared and prompted a public outcry. Dog 'never got the chance to truly heal' At the time, Ashley DaSilva, founder of volunteer-based Hamilton animal rescue group Fur Warriors, criticized the response from police and the province, telling CBC Hamilton she thought Stratford should have faced criminal charges. On July 7, Fur Warriors posted on Facebook about the decision in Stratford's case, saying Merlin "was failed every step of the way" and "never got the chance to truly heal." Ross said Merlin was removed from Stratford's possession and stayed in the care of Animal Welfare Services until dying of cardiac arrest a year later. Stratford, who was also found guilty of permitting distress to an animal, is prohibited from owning, caring for or living with animals for 15 years. He must also allow Animal Welfare Services inspectors to come by unannounced four times per year and notify that service if his address changes. Ross was not able to confirm if a third charge against Stratford was dropped.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Yahoo
Hamilton man guilty of causing distress to animal, fined $2K after video showed him dragging dog
WARNING: This story contains disturbing details about animal cruelty. A Hamilton man has been found guilty of causing distress to an animal and fined $2,000, two years after a video showed him dragging his dog down a sidewalk. Neil Stratford was convicted on June 10 under Ontario's Animal Welfare Services Act, the Ministry of the Solicitor General announced recently. Ministry spokesperson Brent Ross told CBC Hamilton the charges were related to the video. In it, Stratford is seen whipping Merlin with a leash and pulling him roughly 100 metres down a sidewalk in the Dundas area. CBC Hamilton attempted to reach Stratford for comment by phone. The person who answered at his residence hung up after a reporter told the individual who was calling. The 2023 video was widely shared and prompted a public outcry. Dog 'never got the chance to truly heal' At the time, Ashley DaSilva, founder of volunteer-based Hamilton animal rescue group Fur Warriors, criticized the response from police and the province, telling CBC Hamilton she thought Stratford should have faced criminal charges. On July 7, Fur Warriors posted on Facebook about the decision in Stratford's case, saying Merlin "was failed every step of the way" and "never got the chance to truly heal." Ross said Merlin was removed from Stratford's possession and stayed in the care of Animal Welfare Services until dying of cardiac arrest a year later. Stratford, who was also found guilty of permitting distress to an animal, is prohibited from owning, caring for or living with animals for 15 years. He must also allow Animal Welfare Services inspectors to come by unannounced four times per year and notify that service if his address changes. Ross was not able to confirm if a third charge against Stratford was dropped.
Daily Mail
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Woman in THAT viral 'bathroom' video with Wayne Carey goes public and unleashes on the women who filmed her
The woman filmed at a Melbourne bar with AFL star Wayne Carey in a now-viral video has gone public to describe her immense distress at the release of the footage. Kate Aston, 38, a Melbourne marketing and communications executive, has described the dissemination of the clip as 'a deliberate act of bullying'. Aston posted a lengthy statement to Instagram Stories on Thursday, revealing that she had initially chosen to remain silent to protect her professional reputation and her mental health, but has come forward to hold those who released the video to account - and set the record straight. 'Overnight, from footage of me simply exiting a toilet at a bar, I've had my life turned upside down,' she wrote. 'What has happened to me could happen to anyone, and no one should have to go through what I have been put through – the damage, the speculation, the impact on my livelihood, all from the malicious actions of a small few.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Aston says that she fears the impact the video will have on her future, her career - and even her personal relationships. 'At a time when I am navigating my next career move and visibility matters, the personal and professional toll has been immense,' she said. 'Who would want to employ me, date me, be associated with me? What's left now that this has all happened to me?' The executive indicated she would be taking legal action over the matter. 'Whilst it's only been a matter of days since this incident unfolded, there has been immeasurable damage to my reputation, and my ability to lead a normal life has been adversely affected,' she said. 'These women and others who've provided hateful commentary have put into jeopardy my reputation, and so I've been left with no choice but to try to protect it. 'Two women not known to me have turned my life upside down and I have to set the record straight.' Aston believes her future finances have also been impacted by the release of the video. 'From a professional perspective, my ability has been put into question which has had immediate financial repercussions, one that is costing me every day with the effects likely to be long-term and irreversible,' she wrote. 'Whilst I appear strong, those closest to me know that my suffering over recent days has been colossal.' The executive says that she is speaking out not only for herself, but in the hopes of standing up for 'every woman that has been targeted'. 'I have been put in this situation simply because of the cyber-bullying actions of other people,' she said. 'There needs to be some sort of accountability for their actions.' 'In addition, it is my hope by shining light on this incident and taking legal action, a new precedent will be set, one that discourages this type of behaviour from continuing into the future.' On Wednesday, footy great Wayne confessed that he is the man shown in a viral video that allegedly featured a man and woman emerging from a bathroom in a trendy Melbourne bar. The North Melbourne premiership winner said he has contacted Victoria Police in an effort to have the people who filmed and distributed the video held accountable for their actions. The footage, which was taken at the Toorak Cellars bar in Armadale in the city's inner south-east, shows Carey and the unnamed woman walking into view around 20 seconds apart. A female voice is heard saying 'we've got you on camera' as the woman walks past, before asking 'What's he doing in there?' and remarking, 'She looks embarrassed.' Carey and the woman depicted in the clip have lashed out over the video, with the ex-AFL star branding it 's**t shaming' and cyberbullying, and both parties insisting there was no 'tryst' in the toilets. 'Annoyed is the wrong word, I've gone through about 10 different emotions in the last three days,' he said on Sam Newman's You Cannot Be Serious podcast. 'I've gone through disbelief, sadness, I've gone through anger. 'This woman has been thrown into this just because I could kick a footy. 'And you've got two vile, disturbing, probably p**sed women who want to do this to another woman.' He continued: 'That's all they were doing, they were s**t-shaming another woman. 'If two men had done that they would be raked over hot coals, it would be the biggest story going around. 'But because it's two women doing it to another woman … you don't know what's going on, this other woman has had all sorts of stuff going in her life, I've since found out. 'You talk about vile and disgusting, what they've done and who they have affected by a few sh**s and giggles drinking their chardonnay, sitting up there, doing whatever. 'Once again, I'm not going to name them because that would be as pathetic as what they are. I'll let the law take care of it.'
