A Family’s Twice-Fought Battle
In Newry, Northern Ireland, the Cartmill family is navigating an extraordinary and heart-wrenching medical journey. Both of their young children, 6-year-old Olly and 3-year-old Etta, were born with an extremely rare genetic condition known as TTC21B, which primarily causes severe kidney failure but can also affect other organs. From birth, their home was transformed into a medical unit, with dialysis machines, feeding tubes, and constant medication.
Olly received a life-changing kidney transplant from his grandmother, allowing him to thrive. For Etta, the path has been more complex. She has already endured a liver transplant after developing severe portal hypertension, a form of liver disease linked to her condition. After spending five weeks recovering from that major surgery, she now faces another monumental procedure: a kidney transplant in the near future.
Her mother, Dionne, describes the emotional and physical toll of preparing a toddler for multiple major surgeries and the relentless cycle of hospital stays, tests, and transfusions. Yet, amid the struggle, the family’s resilience shines. They have become advocates and a source of support for other families facing rare pediatric diseases.
Etta’s story highlights the immense challenges of managing ultra-rare genetic disorders, where multiple organ systems can fail, requiring a cascade of transplants and lifelong care. It also underscores the critical importance of living organ donation and pediatric transplant medicine. As Etta waits for her next transplant, her family holds onto hope, inspired by her brother’s recovery and driven by the fierce love that turns a home into a haven of care and courage.
2. Piloting Life Without Limits
Jessica Cox is a living testament to human potential, redefining the limits of ability as the world’s first licensed armless pilot, a black-belt in Taekwondo, and an internationally renowned motivational speaker. Born without arms, she flies airplanes—including a 1940s Ercoupe—using only her feet to operate the yoke, throttle, and brakes, without any aircraft modifications. Her philosophy, “Think Outside the Shoe,” embodies her adaptive approach to life, using her feet for everything from driving and writing to piloting.
Cox’s journey into aviation began at age 21 when she accepted an invitation to fly in a small plane, choosing to face her fear of uncertainty. That decision led to her pilot’s license and a powerful metaphor she carries onto stages worldwide. She delivers roughly 30 keynote speeches annually across more than 28 countries, translating her story into lessons on resilience, innovation, and overcoming perceived limitations.
Beyond speaking, Cox is pioneering accessible aviation through the “Impossible Airplane” project—an experimental four-seater designed with dual controls, allowing her to fly with a safety pilot while giving passengers, including those with disabilities, firsthand experience of flight.
Travel for Cox is both adventure and advocacy. She navigates airports, hotels, and cities with meticulous preparation, using tools like a custom dressing hook and strategic planning to maintain independence. While she occasionally faces invisibility or assumption—like being overlooked by flight attendants or given inaccessible hotel rooms—her wins accumulate through each solo trip and barrier overcome.
From her first solo international trip to Rome to dreaming of landing in Sedona’s challenging red-rock terrain, Cox continues to harness fear into fuel. Her story reminds us that true freedom isn’t the absence of limits, but the courage to soar beyond them—with your feet firmly on the controls and your eyes on the horizon.
3. Double Bird, One Flight
A routine Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis to Madison turned into a chaotic, almost farcical ordeal on May 24, 2025, when two separate pigeons boarded the aircraft and took flight in the passenger cabin. The incident began before departure when a pigeon was spotted inside the plane. The captain admitted over the PA system he had “no experience with this situation.” After a delay, baggage handlers successfully removed the first bird to the relief and applause of passengers.
Just as the aircraft began taxiing for takeoff, a second pigeon revealed itself, launching into panicked flight down the main aisle. Passengers screamed as one traveler tried—and failed—to catch it with his jacket in what witnesses described as “Tom and Jerry-esque” scenes. The pilot contacted air traffic control, requesting to return to the gate due to a pigeon. When controllers expressed disbelief, noting it was a first for them, the pilot wryly responded that it was his second pigeon incident of the day—the first having occurred just 30 minutes earlier.
Both birds were eventually captured and removed alive. The flight, however, arrived in Madison 56 minutes late. In a testament to the sheer absurdity of the event, flight attendants seriously asked passengers to check under their seats for any additional avian stowaways before deplaning.
The bizarre incident highlighted the unusual operational challenges airlines can face and became an instant viral story. It underscored the procedural confusion surrounding such a rare event—from a pilot’s candid admission of inexperience to air traffic control’s novelty—while also providing a moment of shared, surreal humor for everyone onboard. The “double pigeon” flight will undoubtedly remain a legendary anecdote in both Delta’s and Madison’s aviation lore for years to come.
4. The World’s Oldest Cat
Flossie, a tortoiseshell cat from England, has reached the extraordinary age of 30—a milestone almost unheard of in the feline world, where the average lifespan is 13–17 years. Born on December 29, 1995, her life began in hardship as a stray kitten rescued from a feral colony near a hospital in Merseyside. After living with two previous owners over decades, she eventually came into the care of the charity Cats Protection.
In 2022, at the age of 26 years and 316 days, Flossie was officially certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living cat. Shortly after, she was adopted by Vicki Green in a uniquely synchronistic pairing: both Flossie and her new owner were 27 years old, sharing the same birth year.
Now fully settled into her senior years, Flossie is deaf and has limited eyesight, but she enjoys a comfortable, predictable routine. Her days are filled with early breakfasts, gentle play, and plenty of long, peaceful naps—the hallmark of a well-loved cat in a safe home.
Flossie’s remarkable longevity is a testament to dedicated care, good genetics, and perhaps a bit of luck. Her story resonates because it symbolizes resilience and second chances, having transitioned from a precarious start as a stray to becoming a celebrated, record-holding senior under the care of a compassionate owner. For cat lovers and animal advocates worldwide, Flossie isn’t just an aged pet—she’s a living lesson in care, companionship, and the quiet miracle of a long life well-lived.
5. A Mother’s Courageous Farewell
Paula Hudgell, the adoptive mother of inspirational young double amputee Tony Hudgell, has shared a devastatingly raw and courageous update amid her own harrowing health battle. Following brutal surgery and confronting the spread of cancer, she posted what she acknowledged may be her final message—a heartfelt farewell filled with love, gratitude, and immense bravery.
Paula and her husband, Mark, have been pillars of strength in the public eye, adopting Tony after he suffered life-changing abuse as an infant and championing “Tony’s Law” to strengthen sentences for child abusers. Now, Paula faces her own fight with terminal illness, sharing the emotional and physical toll with unflinching honesty. Her update has moved thousands, flooding her with an outpouring of love, prayers, and messages of support from around the world.
Her words underscore the profound bond she shares with Tony—a child she fought for, nurtured, and empowered to become a national symbol of resilience. Even in facing her own mortality, her focus remains on love and the legacy of their family’s story. The public, who have followed Tony’s journey for years, now stand with Paula, offering the same support she has so selflessly given to others.
This moment is a heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of life and the depth of a mother’s love, even one forged through adoption. Paula’s bravery in sharing her journey amplifies her incredible legacy: a life dedicated to advocacy, compassion, and unwavering familial love. As the community rallies around her, her message transforms from one of farewell into a powerful testament to living—and loving—with courage until the very end.
6. A Hospital Discharge Filled With Hope
In a heartwarming milestone of courage and care, seven-month-old Callen Stuart has been discharged from Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital following a major surgery to correct a rare and serious birth defect known as bladder exstrophy. Born with his bladder located outside his body, Callen underwent a complex reconstructive procedure that required skilled surgical precision and weeks of careful postoperative monitoring.
Throughout the challenging journey, his parents, Allen and Shania, and big sister Cali remained steadfast at his side, drawing strength from faith, positivity, and an outpouring of community support. After being cleared to leave the hospital, the family moved safely to a nearby Airbnb in Nashville to stay close for crucial follow-up care.
In a personal update, Shania expressed profound gratitude for the prayers and encouragement they’ve received, while humbly asking for continued spiritual support. Specifically, she asked for prayers that infection does not spread, that Callen’s tiny body heals completely, and for protection as they navigate a Nashville winter storm. Callen is scheduled for a follow-up appointment on February 2nd.
Bladder exstrophy affects roughly 1 in 50,000 newborns and often requires multiple surgeries throughout childhood. Callen’s successful initial operation and discharge represent a significant victory—not only for medical science, but for the power of hope, family love, and collective prayer.
As Callen continues his recovery outside hospital walls, his story resonates as a powerful reminder of resilience in the smallest fighters and the incredible networks of care—both medical and communal—that surround them. Here’s to continued healing, strength, and warmth for the Stuart family.
7. A Young Champion’s Comeback
At just 10 years old, Joseph’s life took a drastic turn when a fall during a football game revealed a rare and aggressive bone cancer—osteosarcoma. Following the devastating diagnosis, he embarked on an arduous medical journey that included six intense cycles of chemotherapy and a groundbreaking rotationplasty surgery. This innovative procedure, which reconstructs the limb to preserve function, allowed Joseph to retain mobility and hope.
Now 12, Joseph is cancer-free and thriving, a testament to both medical advancement and his own remarkable resilience. His family credits the dedicated nurses, nurse practitioners, and staff at Children’s Hospital for being pillars of strength throughout the ordeal. They didn’t just provide clinical care; they became caregivers, friends, and a vital support system, offering clear explanations, heartfelt consolation, and constant encouragement during the family’s most challenging moments.
Joseph’s story highlights the critical importance of specialized pediatric care and the profound impact of a compassionate medical team. Osteosarcoma, though rare, is the most common type of bone cancer in children, and treatment often requires a combination of chemotherapy and complex surgery. Rotationplasty, while life-changing, represents a significant physical and emotional adjustment for a young patient.
Today, Joseph embodies the power of perseverance and modern medicine. He is not just a survivor; he is a vibrant young person moving forward with his life, supported by a family that found an “unexpected jewel” in the midst of their crisis. His journey offers hope to other families facing pediatric cancer, reminding us that even in the face of a daunting diagnosis, healing, strength, and a full future are possible.
8. The Closet Millionaire
Jimmie Smith, a retired security guard, became an overnight multimillionaire in one of the most serendipitous lottery stories on record. In 2016, he purchased a lottery ticket and did what he often did: tucked it into a shirt pocket and forgot about it. Nearly a full year passed.
The turning point came when a local TV news report mentioned a $24 million jackpot that remained unclaimed, with only days left before the ticket expired. Spurred by the broadcast, Jimmie began a frantic search through his wardrobe. There, buried in a shirt pocket, was the forgotten ticket.
In a moment of stunned disbelief, he checked the numbers—every single one matched. Overwhelmed, he stepped outside to gather himself before rushing to lottery headquarters with just two days to spare before the ticket would have become worthless.
Jimmie’s windfall was more than luck; it was a testament to timing, awareness, and a simple act of tidying up. His story highlights how life-altering opportunities can hide in plain sight—often in the most mundane places we overlook. For Jimmie, a routine habit of stashing tickets nearly cost him a fortune, but a timely news alert turned an old piece of paper into a future of financial freedom.
The tale resonates as a modern-day parable about second chances and the importance of paying attention to details—and deadlines. It reminds us that sometimes fortune doesn’t just knock; it waits quietly in a closet, hoping we’ll remember to look before it’s too late. Jimmie Smith didn’t just win the lottery; he won a race against time, proving that sometimes the biggest rewards come to those who simply remember to clean up.
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