"Fault in Our Stars" Couple Katie and Dalton update

Dear Friends,

I am sad to report that the real-life Fault In Our Stars couple has passed away. Dalton died at the hospital in ceiling was, where he had been battling complications related to his illness. Katie died five days later at home in Flemingsburg, Kentucky surrounded by friends and family. The two had hoped to be together during their final days, however, Dalton had been too sick to travel. Despite this, Katie FaceTimed her husband during his final days.

At his funeral, Dalton's mother made a statement, saying "I truly believe Dalton had prepared a place for his wife, just as the pastor talked about yesterday at Dalton’s service. I am thankful she got to spend time with her family Saturday, as hard as it was after watching her husband pass.”

For more information regarding this world wind romance, "A Match Made In Heaven" please go to:

http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/22/health/cystic-fibrosis-katie-prager-death/

http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/18/health/cystic-fibrosis-dalton-prager-death/index.html

http://www.washingtonstarnews.com/real-life-fault-in-our-stars-couple-update-katie-prager-passes-away-five-days-after-husbands-death

Micah Fowler takes center stage in Speechless, giving Disabled Community a voice

Welcome Back Readers,

According to a new study, over 95% of disabled characters on TV shows are played by able-bodied actors. To be honest, I'm not surprised. There needs to be more diversity of disabilities shown on television. This would hopefully develop a new understanding for general audiences and begin a open dialogue of how to interact with the disabled community.

Apparently, I'm not the only one that feels this way. Scott Silveri said he based the comedy off his own experiences, having a disabled sibling with a disability. In attempt to be authentic, he felt it was important for a real disabled actor to play the part. That's where Micah comes into play;Like the character of JJ that he plays on the series, he also has cerebral palsy. The series will attempt to uncover the myth of what it means to have a disability; although it does that and so much more.

Speechless airs on Wednesdays at 8:30 PM





 For more information on the show, or Micah Fowler, please see the following links:

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/09/20/speechless-micah-fowler-breakout-star

http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/speechless-abc-premiere-creator-disabled-actor-micah-fowler-1201867014/

https://www.buzzfeed.com/arianelange/micah-fowler-speechless-abc?utm_term=.ygR1LEOxk#.hvZwnK81L

Encouragement: Real Sportsmanship

Dear Readers,
It's the beginning of another week and I thought I would start it with a little encouragement. 

When I say the word football, what comes to mind?

Football..

Touchdowns..

Tackles..

I bet good sportsmanship isn't at the top of the list.

But Max Akin tried to change all of this with with one simple act. He passed his homecoming crown to a friend, K.L. What's more? K.L has cerebral palsy


To find out more information on this story, you can go to:
http://www.wfaa.com/sports/high-school/homecoming-king-passes-crown-to-friend/318892002

Encouragement: Teens with cystic fibrosis give "For Better or For Worse" new meaning

Welcome Back Readers~

They say the Lord works in mysterious ways, that's certainly true for Katie and Dalton Prager. At the age of 18, the two became friends and bonded over Facebook learning they  had something in common- they both had cystic fibrosis. Despite knowing the risk involved, a romance blossoms. Two years later, the couple married. But this story doesn't have fairy tale ending you'd expect. While Katie did undergo a lung transplant, it has failed and now she has entered hospice. She remains positive focusing on quality of life now rather than quantity. Her husband plans on being transferred to a hospital closer to her in Kentucky

For more details of their story, go to: 

http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/09/health/cystic-fibrosis-fault-in-our-stars-couple-hospice/

Paralympics are on tonight- September 7

Dear Friends,

Since my dad wrote about the "unseen" Olympics last week, it is with great pleasure that I highlight the disabled athletes representing their country in the Paralympics starting tonight. I hope you will join me in listening to their courageous stories; hopefully this will create a new understanding for what people with disabilities encounter on a daily basis.

Here is the Paralympics schedule-

http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/paralympic-schedule