Not All News is Bad!

A park of inclusion.

Source: World’s first water park for people with disabilities is literally the coolest thing ever created – via Mashable

What a wonderful idea.

 

The gesture “has inspired so many and touched the hearts of thousands.”

Source: Woman’s Beautiful Act Of Kindness For Blind Chicago Cubs Fan Goes Viral | HuffPost

Quoting the person who posted it on Facebook: “A small act of kindness, coincidentally captured in three quick photos, has inspired so many and touched the hearts of thousands.”

“This is what being an officer is about…”

Source: Fort Worth police officers, strangers buy 95-year-old man new air conditioner – CBS News

My favorite quote is at the end of the article: “He’s 95 years old and he’s a World War II veteran, … He’s a hero. In our eyes he’s our hero.” Indeed, as are the police officers and everyone who stepped in to help.

A grieving schoolgirl has been reunited with the iPod she lost before running the Dublin mini-marathon in memory of her mum who died seven months ago.

Source: Joy as Arianna (11) is reunited with missing iPod that held the only pictures of her late mum – Independent.ie

It’s awesome that she got her iPod back – truly – but I’d be remiss if I didn’t put on my other hat and remind you: if there’s only one copy (as in, it’s only on your iPod), it’s not backed up.

Accueil Bonneau, a local group that offers a drop-in day centre and variety of services for homeless men, partnered with Montreal urban beekeeping company Alvéole four years ago.

Source: ‘Amazing change’ for Montreal homeless men taking part in urban beekeeping program – Montreal – CBC News

Opportunities like this can make a huge difference for all involved. Very cool.

Police in Dixon, Ill., released dashcam video showing a man stop his truck in the middle of traffic, jump out and leap through the passenger window of a moving car to save a driver who was having a seizure. (AP)

Source: A driver was having a seizure — so a good Samaritan leapt into the moving car to save him – The Washington Post

It’s pretty amazing video. I don’t think I’d have the guts….

The animals listen attentively as children read to them, lay a head on the shoulder of the infirm and ease the tension in a room full of anxious family.

Source: Therapy dogs: With soft eyes and furry ears, these volunteers at Overlake and other area hospitals reassure patients, families | The Seattle Times

Some years ago I would regularly take one of our dogs along to visit my father in his nursing home. I can attest to the bright moments doing so brought, not only to my dad, but to the various residents we encountered while we were there. Some facilities require that pets be certified, but we were fortunate in that as “family” — and being well behaved — we could bring ours without question.

When California State University, Los Angeles’s Class of 2017 graduated, 70-year-old Berenice Onofre Vásquez was one of its most accomplished members.

Source: This 70-Year-Old Peruvian PhD Grad Proved It’s Never Too Late to Make Your Dreams Come True

Yet another in what appears to be turning into an ongoing series: “Age is nothing but a number”. 🙂

The man donated money he earned from a government settlement to the shelter so his friends could “stay safe”.

Source: Homeless shelter receives $10K donation from former resident – BBC News

It’s actually not at all that uncommon for folks who’ve been helped by shelters and similar organizations to give back when they’re in a position to do so. Very cool, that.

“Books transformed me, so I think books are a symbol of hope for those places,” Gutierrez said. “They are a symbol of peace.”

Colombian garbage man builds library from discarded books – MSN

Turning trash into treasure … for everyone, especially those that otherwise wouldn’t have access.