Known as "Amputee OT" on her Facebook page, Christina Stephens took up a colleague's challenge to create a prosthetic out of Lego blocks.
According to an article in The Mary Sue, the occupational therapist and clinical researcher may have had her leg amputated below the knee earlier this year but that hasn't stopped her from innovating. Hence, LEGOleg. Or LEG-O.
Not content to rest on her laurels, Stephens is about to attempt her first swim since becoming an amputee. Perhaps she could consider a teaching post at this school...
Check out her amazing video!
Alicia Silverstone has come a long way. Once known for wearing a school girl uniform and appearing in Aerosmith videos, these days the vegan actress-turned-animal/environmental-activist devotes much of her time to a blog in pursuit of kindness. It may not be very Hollywood, but it certainly is cool. Her latest post is a call to pump from mamas with breast milk to spare.
In the Kind Mama Milk Share, Silverstone tells the tale of a friend who struggled to nurse successfully following breast reduction surgery. The star then appeals to moms everywhere to share their white bounty, because "there's no reason why they shouldn't be able to give their babies the most amazing start in life with clean, mean, glorious breast milk."
Moms are welcome to connect via her site and swap details to facilitate the milk sharing process. At the time of writing, the post has generated more than 50 comments, many of them from moms seeking vegan donors.
"If you have milk to share—post it! If you are in need of milk—post it! Think of all the babies we can help raise together!" writes Silverstone.
Kudos to her pragmatic approach. When it comes to breastfeeding, this is exactly the sort of celebrity endorsement that is needed to boost the number of moms who nurse. Make note, Duchess Kate...
Would you be open to donating or receiving breast milk from a public forum?
This incredible footage of a swimming toddler has to be seen to be believed. According to the article in the Daily Mail, at just 16 months old the little girl was able to swim a length unaided in a pool.
Though she likely hasn't even been walking for long, the infant manages to paddle face down in the water, before flipping onto her back for a breather.
The girl's parents, who filmed the amazing feat and posted it on YouTube, have received torrents of criticism from viewers. But the couple claims they are trained professionals (a registered nurse and experienced life guard, respectively) and that at no point was their daughter forced to swim.
Little Elizabeth received training in the infant swimming resource (ISR) technique of swimming and self rescue.
"Elizabeth is a very determined little girl and sometimes she wants to roll over and breath [sic] as she was taught and sometimes she wants to hold her breath the whole way," wrote Adam BC.
While he stresses the importance of giving children this life skill ("because it only takes a moment for them to slip under and drown"), Adam warns against throwing babies into the pool and simply expecting them to swim:
"That is both dangerous and a quick way to traumatize your child and scare them from ever swimming. ISR uses specialized techniques in training infants and toddlers." See how to spot warning signs of drowning.
Scary or spectacular? Is there such a thing as too young when it comes to learning to swim?
Want YOUR baby to learn to swim like this? Here's what you need to do!
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