Category: Our stories
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Dear Teachers Please Don’t Ask Kids What They Did This Summer
“Dear teachers
Please when those sweet faces show up in your classroom for the first time and you want to give that familiar homework of “What I did this summer!!” , please consider the kid whose family couldn’t afford a holiday ☹️ the kid who took care of younger siblings because their grown-up slept all day, the kid who hid under the covers at 2 a.m. trying to escape the screaming and cursing 😞 the kid who is looking forward to lunch because they’ve only had the same sandwich all summer or haven’t been fed at all and have spent their Summer looking for ways to feed themselves.
The kid wearing last year’s clothes because their family couldn’t afford new ones .
There are kids dreading the first day of school because they have no good answer for what they did this summer when what they really did was just survive.
So please consider a different question. Perhaps “what I’m looking forward to about this school year,” . But please, don’t make them go around the room or write a paragraph telling about their summer. Sadly, for a lot of kids, the best part is that summer is over.”
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What They Don’t Tell You About The NICU
It’s been 4 months since my little baby came into this world. 4 months since I was being rushed back for an emergency c-section. 4 months since the doctors cheered after hearing your little cry. 4 months since you were taken out of the operating room and into the NICU before I could see you.
Just two days before that we were given a tour of the NICU. I remember feeling pretty calm and comfortable with the fact that that’s where my baby would be. The nurse showed us the different pods, told us what to expect, and explained what he would need to do in order to go home: breathe on his own, eat on his own, and gain weight.
Looking back now I realize that there were so many things that they didn’t tell us. That I wasn’t prepared for.
They don’t tell you that in just a couple of days that place will terrify you. It will become a second home you wish you never had.
They don’t tell you how absolutely depressing it is to be discharged. Packing your bags and being wheeled out of the hospital without your baby is enough to make you want to vomit.
They don’t tell you that you will feel this way EVERY TIME you leave that hospital without your baby.
They don’t tell you that just days after a c-section, the walk from the parking deck to the NICU will be the longest, most painful walk of your life.
They don’t tell you that holding your baby for the first time will be the best and worst moment of your life. You finally get to hold him – yay! But it’s not supposed to be this uncomfortable and terrifying.
They don’t tell you that your interstate anxiety will instantly become a thing of the past because nothing – rain, flooding, thunderstorms, and not even the Afton mountain fog – will keep you from seeing your baby.
They don’t tell you that you will blame the nurses and doctors. Your baby was having such a great day yesterday and now he’s back on oxygen and hooked up to IV’s. The medical staff must not be keeping a close enough eye on him.
They don’t tell you that you will dream about the NICU. You will hear beeping machines in your sleep.
They don’t tell you that you won’t feel like a mom. Someone else is taking care of your newborn. They are feeding him, changing him, and keeping him alive. What are you here for?
They don’t tell you that you will cuss the people in the parking deck and the ones walking slow in front of you because it’s 1:55 and if you’re not in the NICU at 2:00 they will feed your baby without you and that’s what you look forward to everyday.
They don’t tell you that you will pull into a rest stop on your way home to call and bitch at the nurse for not giving your constipated baby a glycerin yet. Obviously that’s way more important than what her other babies may be dealing with.
They don’t tell you that you will hate your significant other. He obviously doesn’t love your baby as much as you do. How dare he want to take a day off from visiting him to relax and get some things done around the house. He must not care.
They don’t tell you that your friends will piss you off and not even know it. How dare they have fun together and live a normal life when you feel like yours is falling apart.
They don’t tell you that you will keep these feelings bottled up. You know you’re being irrational.
They don’t tell you that you will become miserable to be around. You don’t want to have fun. You don’t want to tell your family members that your baby is having a “bad” day.
They don’t tell you that someone telling you that their coworkers sisters best friends baby was in the NICU and she’s 5 years old now and healthy as can be will NOT make you feel better. That’s not YOUR baby. YOUR baby may be different.
They don’t tell you that someone telling you to “take a day off” will piss you off. How are you supposed to take a day off when that’s your baby over there, in the hospital, an hour away?
They don’t tell you that you will make the trip to see him two times in one day because you got home and realized that you missed him and needed more cuddles.
They don’t tell you that even though he isn’t home yet, you still don’t get much sleep.
They don’t tell you that you will eventually become numb to the feeling of nurses rushing in when his oxygen and heart rate drops once again, causing a machine to alarm.
They don’t tell you that you will become an expert on NEC, chronic lung disease, and various other diseases that can affect preemies.
They don’t tell you that you will struggle. The money it takes to travel there adds up. You’ll take weeks off work because your baby needs you. You’re significant other will take FMLA when your baby isn’t doing good. You will understand what it means to be broke.
They don’t tell you that people will talk. He was probably born early because I worked out during my pregnancy, right? Or I must have been doing SOMETHING wrong to make him come early.
They don’t tell you that you will blame yourself. Even though you know there was no way to stop the preeclampsia, it was still your body that was the problem. And cutting back on sodium and drinking more water doesn’t touch a blood pressure that is 178/119.
They don’t tell you that you will go from ignoring every unknown caller to rushing to your phone at the sound of the first ring. Who knows, that number from Houston, Texas may be a doctor that just recently moved to VA.
They don’t tell you that your heart will race when your phone does ring. Is it UVA? Is it bad news? Is Grayson ok?
They don’t tell you that you will always have a terrible, awful, feeling that your baby will never come home with you.
They don’t tell you that you will learn to smile to hide your jealousy. You will try to hold back tears as yet another happy family walks out of the NICU with their baby, taking him home.
They don’t tell you that the first couple nights home with him will be absolutely terrifying. Is he breathing ok? It’s hard to tell without monitors on him.
They don’t tell you that you won’t remember much from that time frame. If it didn’t have to do with the NICU and your baby, it didn’t happen.
They don’t tell you that you won’t know fear until you see your baby being rushed BACK to UVA in an ambulance because his oxygen is low. All those tears you’ve held back for weeks will finally pour out.
They don’t tell you that your heart will stop and your soul will leave your body when you hear the doctors mention pneumonia. You know what that means for a baby that delicate and small.
They don’t tell you that your blood will boil when his 6-year-old brother tells his grandma that he’s big and healthy because he “got out of the hospital on time, unlike Grayson”. You let it slide and don’t say a word because he’s only 6 years old, you know he didn’t think of that on his own. 6 year olds don’t say things like that. Adults do.
They don’t tell you that you that people you don’t even know will send you their prayers. Friends and family members that you haven’t seen or spoken to in years will give you their support and love.
They don’t tell you that this whole experience will make you thankful. There will be a new meaning to life. Your baby fought for his life and won. He may be fragile but he’s STRONG.
Babies are born smaller and earlier than Grayson everyday. He was born with no life threatening health issues. He spent 53 days in the NICU. He’s one of the lucky ones.
Grayson James was born at 32 weeks gestational age at 2 lbs 13 oz. He’s now 4 months old and 9 lbs 3 oz. That’s something to be thankful for.
Credit: Morgan Leigh Propst
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If You See A Swift Laying On The Ground Help Them Up
Hey everyone. This little chap is a Swift. They have just got back having flown 1000’s of miles and sometimes they can end up on the ground squeaking. They are not hurt, it’s just as they spend their entire life on the wing if they end up on the floor they can’t get airborne again. So if you see one grounded, pick it up and help it up into the air again. This one is up in the air again now and happily screeching away in the sky with it’s pals…..i do like a happy ending 🙂
RSPB advice
If you find a grounded swift, check that there are no obvious injuries, that the breast is not sharp and thin (starving) and that any flight feathers are not still in sheathing (young bird).
If the bird is not injured, take it to an upstairs window (for an adult bird an outstretched arm when standing up may be adequate) and place it on the palm of your hand, head facing outwards. Gently raise and lower your arm, thus allowing the bird to feel the air under its wings. It should then start taking an interest and usually takes off with confidence.
If it is reluctant to leave and is either in poor condition or a young bird, make it comfortable in a box. Regardless of age, a swift is unable to pick food from the ground, and is reliant on being fed.
Since a swift is extremely difficult to care for in captivity, it should be passed on to an expert rehabilitator as soon as possible. Offer it water in a cotton bud or end of a finger to prevent dehydration. Swifts, being totally aerial, need their wings to be in perfect condition. If a wing is damaged, you should seek the help of a vet.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/s/swift/grounded.aspx
Credit Animals of Somerset
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Girl Ends Up In Hospital After Idiots At A Festival
To all the festival go’ers in Leeds, and in particular the scum bag idiots that threw a deodorant canister into a camp fire.
My brave Daughter Sophie is now in Wythenshaw Hospital specialist Burns Unit along with her friend probably for some time.
On Friday night some irresponsible idiot threw a deodorant canister into their camp fire, the subsequent explosion seriously burnt two teenagers who were having a nice time, after working hard and saving up for their (expensive) tickets, they were obviously looking forward to a fantastic weekend away, and now they are both in hospital with second and third degree burns.
To the person who threw the canister and his friends….. we will find out who you are, I doubt if someone of your intelligence has the balls or are brave enough to own up – face up to these facts along with your friends. Somebody will have seen you do it.
YOUR ACTIONS HAVE SERIOUSLY AFFECTED TWO YOUNG LADIES LIVES.
YOU HAVE INFLICTED SECOND DEGREE AND THIRD DEGREE BURNS ON THEIR FACES, ARMS, LEGS AND HANDS.
ON BOTH GIRLS THE BURNS ON THE FACE ARE SERIOUSLY CLOSE TO THEIR EYES, WE DONT KNOW IF THEIR EYESIGHT WILL BE AFFECTED YET.
THEIR EYELASHES AND EYEBROWS WERE COMPLETELY BURNT OFF
They are both having to have layers of skin peeled off by the Doctors to stop any infection – NICE – well done
Second-degree (partial thickness) burns involve the epidermis and part of the dermis layer of skin. The burn site appears red, blistered, and may be swollen and painful.
Third-degree (full thickness) burns destroy the epidermis and dermis and may go into the subcutaneous tissue. The burn site may appear white or charred
They are both still in shock from the experience and have lost a festival weekend BECAUSE OF YOUR ACTIONS – YOU COMPLETE FUCKING MORON.
To all Parents – please re post this and anyone good at twitter add the appropriate hash tags – to get this message out there so there is a complete BAN on any kind of canister at festivals.
They have to walk daily to stop any new growing skin from pulling tight and tearing – every step is very painful
Oh – and by the way both girls will have to stay out of the sun for two years to avoid getting skin cancer – THATS NICE WHEN YOU’RE A TEENAGER THAT LIKES BEING OUT DOORS……TWO YEARS !!!
YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU HAVE DONE OR THE LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES TO TWO YOUNG LADIES LIVES !!!
To all Parents – please re post this and anyone good at twitter add the appropriate hash tags – to get this message out there so there is a complete BAN on any kind of canister at festivals.
Credit Phil turner
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Mums Prank On Son Lands Her In Jail
Mums prank on son lands her In jail
How often have you cleared up your child’s mess and thought to yourself wait til you get your own place then you will see, well one mum did just this.
Chloe Thomas’s son Harry moved into his first flat at the age of 20.
His mum was given a key and what she did next got her into big trouble.
Chloe went to her sons flat and threw cereal all over the sofa, smeared yogurt all over the windows, drew on the freshly painted walls, peed all over the toilet seat and floor.
But she wasn’t finished yet she unrolled the toilet paper, took a bite out of every apple, poured juice on the table and all over the tv and pulled every piece of clothing out of the wardrobe, and lastly she smashed all the dinner plates and made a tower out of coffee cups.
When her son arrived home and saw his mum sat on the cereal covered sofa whilst eating Nutella out of the jar with the tv remote he didn’t take it well and called the police.
Chloe was taken into custody and eventually order to pay damages.
Chloe told Mums advice “it was pay back for years of destruction in my own home, ok maybe I went too far but my god it was fun”.
Harry commented “I can now see the funny side but at the time I was very annoyed I had spent so much time and money getting the flat how I wanted it, I guess I know what to expect when I have my own children”.
What’s your thoughts did the mum go too far and act inappropriately or was she an evil genius just giving pay back for years of mess and destruction?
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Mum Cuts Nan Out Of Her Life For Feeding Her Daughter
I would like to make others aware that you have every right to cut someone out of your baby or child’s life if they do not respect your wishes.
Last year my daughter Olivia was with my partners mum (her nana) for the day whilst I caught up with friends for lunch.
That evening with my daughter home I changed her nappy and noticed her poo wasn’t normal, my daughter was 5 months old at the time and exclusively fed with my breast milk, but this poo was very different.
I contacted my mother in law and asked how my daughter had been with her and the bloody cheeky cow said “oh she was fine I gave her a little bit of my strawberry she absolutely loved it”.
Now people may think I’m being picky but I had already stated to everyone there was no way I will allow Olivia to have any solids until after she is 6 months old due to all the issues that can be caused through early weaning.
I told my partner that his mother was not to be anywhere near our daughter and that I was disgusted with her actions, my partner didn’t seem to understand and ultimately backed his mum.
I have stood my ground and although to keep the peace and my partner I have allowed her to see her grandchild it will never be unsupervised ever again and I do not speak to her, yes it may be uncomfortable for all of us but she has broken all trust.
Mums out there I want you to know that if someone breaks your wishes and especially if they put your child’s health at risk you have every right to cut ties or to put in precautionary measures.
Your child your rules and don’t let anyone try to tell you differently
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Important Public Announcement-Please Read
IMPORTANT PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT:
This is crucial to all road users and especially tourists, the elderly and over-cautious stupid idiots normally driving a car with stick figure families on the back or a novelty fishing sign which attempts to be funny!
This sign (you can’t miss it, it is a big old circle which is white with a huge black line in it) means you can legally drive your CAR on single carriageways at 60mph, …not 20, 25, 28, 30, 34, 40 or heaven forbid 45mph….but 60mph … BLOODY SPEED UP before I die of old age, attempt to over take you and crash my car, my children sitting in the back of my vehicle will pick up some delightful new words such as “wanker” “nob head” and “inconsiderate bastard” !
If you can’t keep up with the speed limit or the pace of modern traffic then get yourself off the road and hand your licence in.
If you won’t do it for me please for the love of god won’t you think of the children! They know me as a kind caring individual but when I am sat behind you and your slow arse driving my inner evil rises to the surface!!! Thanks for reading please share to your fellow drivers and save my sanity.
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Out Rage At Asda Broccoli’s Added Extras
One mum has taken to Facebook to warn other mums about Asda broccoli.
The mum sais “I just bought a broccoli from Asda and it had 3 caterpillars and 2 sacks of eggs on it and luckily we had cut and eaten the only parts with them on therefore noticing them. If we hadn’t then we’d have eaten the rest of it before discovering them.
Called Asda and they said that they’ve received a high amount of calls about it over the past few weeks and offered me my 50p back 😂 I’m not bothered about the money back I just want to know why on Earth they’re still selling broccoli knowing that they’re infested in caterpillars as she said as of yet they haven’t investigated it.
So I guess this is a warning to check your Asda broccoli before you buy them lol
I did wash the broccoli before I used it but the caterpillars were wrapped tightly around it”.
Many people commented laughing at the complaint one woman said “oh my god bugs on a vegetables that grows in dirt how outrageous, ban vegetables NOW lol”
Only a few people were sympathetic with the poster most just mocked her.
Would you be upset/concerned if you found caterpillars dished up with your veg? Let us know in the comments.
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Mum Told To Abort Baby By Dr, But Mum Would Not Give up
I received the awful news that there’s no fluid left around my baby the deepest pool was 1.8cm because of this my babies lungs can’t develop so if it survives full term we won’t get more than an hour with him before he passes away, this is what we were told 4 months ago.
Doctor after Doctor told me there was NO HOPE, NO CHANCE of survival, one Doctor even told me I was wasting NHS money and time continuing with this pointless pregnancy and just to abort it and move on.
This was not a thing to discard this is my child, a much wanted and tried for baby boy, even if I only get to hold him for a minute it would be worth it.
Did my baby not deserve a chance to fight for the right to live, I messaged into Mums advice and asked if there was anything I could do to give my baby more hope.
One woman (I wish I could remember her name) told me to drink water as if it were going out of fashion, just drink, drink, drink, I followed her advice and my baby thrived, he grew, he made it to 32 weeks before deciding it was time to meet his mama.
Samuel Chance was born on July the 26th, he took a breath, he screamed a tiny sound, an hour passed and he was still with me.
Samuel is still in the special care unit and fighting every day, he is gaining in weight and in strength this boy won’t give up and neither will I.
Thanks Mums advice for believing in Hope and helping me to stay strong for my baby boy!!!
I want to urge mums out there not to give up if you have a glimmer of hope you have to hold on to it.