Weekly Uplifting Stories - August 21st, 2023

Hello everyone and welcome back to another installment of Uplifting Stories!

“Compassion isn’t about solutions. It’s about giving all the love that you’ve got.” —Cheryl Strayed

There is always a lot going on in the media, and everything seems to be vying for our attention, wherever we look. So every Monday, don't forget to take a little time out to engage in some actually positive news.

Let us be a tiny beacon of hope in your day. Or a big one. Just remember, not everyone is out to get you, and there are good things happening all around you. 

This week, we've collected stories about:

• An amazing 360 degree air vest pilot test that could protect seniors from injuries due to falls
• Georgia's Community Kindness Club teaches kids the value of kindness and giving back
• Virginia police officer adopts the kitten he rescued after it was thrown out of a window
• A little girl whose father died in the line of duty starts school with an escort from the Sheriff's Department

Singapore's SATA CommHealth Pilot Testing Air Vests That Could Protect Seniors From Falling Injuries

For so many people (Not just seniors), falling is a major concern. According to a 2018 study, the price tag for both fatal and non fatal falls among older adults in the US was a whopping $50 billion, with non fatal falls taking a large chunk out of that number. 

But, a pilot program in Singapore may have an answer for this - the YDB Airbag Vest.¹

This vest provides 360 degree protection from falls, covering the head, shoulders, back, chest, hips, tailbone and hip joints. And it only weighs 980 grams. It deploys in 0.18 seconds when it senses a fall happening, using a gunpowder cartridge to help it inflate almost instantaneously.

By the time the person hits the ground, the vest has activated its padding, so the person is much less likely to break bones, which end up being quite costly (And so painful, plus all the recovery time and rehabilitation.).

SATA CommHealth is a charitable healthcare organization based in Singapore. They focus on care for the health of seniors and the vulnerable in their community. The group is also testing smart-enabled homes for seniors that would monitor heart rates, control lighting and curtains, detect falls and height adjustable kitchen counters. 

The Community Kindness Club Spreads Gratitude All Around Town

In Statesboro-Bulloch County, Georgia, the Community Kindness Club brings together kids and adults with different groups in the community to show support and gratitude. The program was started by Cindy Hatchell, the town's assistant library manager and manager of Youth & Family for the local library.

Having put together a similar program, '52 Weeks of Kindness' in her former library in Kentucky, she had a vision of teaching local kids about kindness - and putting those lessons into action.

“The kids already kind of understood the concept,” she said. “My hope is that it’s opening their eyes and their hearts. I hope they grow up to be kinder people with open hearts, and that they will love their community and love others.” - Cindy Hatchell²

They have been busy with efforts like these:

• Filling a cardboard police car with donuts and handmade cards for the Statesboro Police Department
• Collecting items for women and children to support Safe Haven and Esther's Place 
• Filling a handmade fire hydrant with baked goods for the local EMTs and firefighters
• Making bags full of hygiene products for Open Hearts Community Mission

With programs like this bringing community together, we can hope to see a brighter future ahead!

Police Officer Adopts the Kitten He Found After it Was Thrown Out of a Window

In this adorable video, Officer Timothy Rugg tells a tale of the sweet kitten he rescued after she was thrown from a window. Oh, and Penny the kitten is sitting on his shoulder the entire time he's speaking. 

After responding to a call that a kitten had been thrown out of a window, Harrisonburg, Virginia Officer Rugg found the shaking cat hiding under a couch. It's not clear exactly what happened to get her to this state, but she was clearly frightened.

After making sure she was all right, she quickly bonded to him, sitting on his shoulder and not wanting to let go, even as he brought her to the local SPCA. 

Before leaving the shelter, Officer Rugg asked if he could take her home, and was quickly set up for fostering her. 

"She loves cuddling. She'll sleep with me and my wife every night. We just happen to be on our 3 week foster trial period ending so, I'm going to be a foster fail and tomorrow I'm officially adopting her." - Officer Rugg³

Although they met under questionable circumstances, this story has a very happy ending!

Late Deputy's Daughter Starts School With Support From His Former Colleagues

In Bibb County, Georgia, a little girl named Zerimrah Knight had her first day of pre-kindergarten.

But she didn't do it alone - she was escorted by Sheriff's deputies. Zerimrah's dad, Deputy Christopher Knight lost his life in the line of duty a few years ago.

To make sure she knows she can always count on them, her late father's former colleagues made sure to be there for her on her big day, escorting her into the school and to her classroom. Sheriff David Davis stood in for her dad, holding her hand down the hallway.⁴

What's Your Uplifting Story?

And that wraps it up for this week! 

As always, if you have any Uplifting Stories of your own, you can contact us in the comments below, or reach out on our Instagram page. We might just share your story in a future article.

Thanks everyone for reading, and have an uplifting week ahead. Take care and see you next week!

Photo by Helena Lopes

Sources:

¹ Yahoo News 

² Statesboro Herald

³ Good Morning America

⁴ USA Today