As March Madness approaches, star players Hannah Hidalgo, JuJu Watkins, Te-Hina Paopao, and Alissa Pili are poised for success in the NCAA tournament. Hidalgo, a top player for Notre Dame, credits her success to her faith and determination, while Watkins, a freshman guard for USC, values her community roots and team unity. Paopao, known for her long-range shooting, draws inspiration from her faith and family heritage, and Pili, a senior forward for Utah, has found her groove after transferring and is motivated to compete at the highest level.
After Fiona Dawson shared her weight-loss journey, Telegraph readers responded with support, questions, and their own experiences. Fiona clarified that she did not have to give up alcohol to lose weight and emphasized that she does eat plenty of vegetables despite the limited examples in the article. Readers praised her inspiring story and shared their own health journeys, prompting the newspaper to invite others to share their experiences.
The survivors of the 1972 Andes plane crash, which inspired the new Netflix drama "Society of the Snow," endured 72 days in freezing temperatures, injuries, and an avalanche before being rescued. Of the 16 survivors, 14 are still alive, with many becoming motivational speakers and authors. They gather annually to commemorate the rescue and have found strength and faith in themselves through the tragedy. The survivors' experiences have been captured in the book "Society of the Snow," which inspired the movie.
Sgt. Pat Kepp, a police officer in Montgomery County, Maryland, was struck by a speeding car while trying to stop it using tire-piercing "stop sticks." The collision resulted in the amputation of both his legs. Kepp, however, remains determined to recover and return to his passions of working as a road cop and officiating college football games. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and is learning to use prosthetic legs. The driver of the car, Raphael Mayorga, has been indicted on multiple charges, including attempted first-degree murder. Kepp's resilience and positive outlook on life have inspired those around him.
Layla Jane Rogan, now 17, miraculously survived a devastating ATV accident at the age of 15 that left her with severe injuries, including brain bleeds, a dissected carotid artery, liver lacerations, and a broken jaw. Doctors gave her a slim chance of survival, but Layla defied the odds. She underwent numerous surgeries and a long, arduous recovery process. Although she has faced challenges and changes in her personality, Layla remains hopeful for her future and appreciates the new perspective on life that the accident has given her.
Juan Romero, a former gang member from Chicago, found solace and a second chance at life through prayer after being released from prison. He now participates in an annual trucking convoy to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, honoring his faith and gratitude for answered prayers. Romero's journey serves as a testament to the power of prayer and the possibility of redemption, as he overcame his troubled past and found a new path with the support of a trucking company that hires formerly incarcerated individuals.
Abbey Fickley, a TikToker, shares her inspiring story of overcoming opiate addiction with the help of her parents. After they pressed felony charges against her, she chose rehab and turned her life around. Despite her father initially disowning her, Fickley committed to never looking back and rebuilt her life. She now bartends part-time, has custody of her daughter, and recently purchased a home. Fickley credits her parents' tough love and boundaries for her recovery and is committed to helping others struggling with addiction.
Yesenia Perez, a 35-year-old mother of two, is set to graduate from high school after overcoming numerous obstacles and personal tragedies. Perez dropped out of high school as a teenager and faced a tumultuous journey, including the loss of her oldest child. Determined to set a good example for her children, she enrolled in an alternative program and became a student council president, excelling academically. Perez's resilience and leadership have inspired her peers, and she plans to help other nontraditional students adjust to school after graduation.
Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett's partner at Berkshire Hathaway, faced numerous challenges throughout his life, including the loss of his 9-year-old son to cancer, going blind in one eye, and being left with nothing after a divorce. Despite these hardships, Munger became one of the most successful billionaire investors ever. He emphasized the importance of avoiding envy, resentment, revenge, and self-pity, and instead using misfortunes as opportunities for growth and learning. Munger's story is a testament to resilience and the ability to transform adversity into personal success.
85-year-old Mavis Paterson, known as "Granny Mave," cycled 1,000 miles around Scotland in memory of her three adult children who passed away within four years of each other. Cycling has become essential for her, providing solace and a reason to live. Paterson completed the challenge, raising over £70,000 ($88,000) for Macmillan Cancer Support. She plans to continue endurance challenges and fundraising, inspiring others to take up cycling and overcome their own challenges.
After being diagnosed with ALS, Andrea Lytle Peet embarked on a journey to live life to the fullest. Despite the challenges posed by the disease, she completed 50 marathons and found solace in the support of her family and the joy of participating in triathlons. The experience ignited a spark within her to inspire others and contribute to ALS research, reminding her of the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit.
Jeison Aristizábal, the CNN Hero of the Year in 2016, has founded a university in Cali, Colombia, for young people with disabilities. The university offers a range of classes and programs, including computer programming, graphic design, culinary arts, and music. The focus is not only on education but also on preparing students for employment and empowering them to become providers for their families. Aristizábal's organization, Asodisvalle, has expanded significantly, now helping over 1,000 young people with disabilities. His goal is to change the laws in Colombia to provide more opportunities for those with disabilities.
Katelyn Pavey, an All-American athlete from Lanesville, Indiana, who was born with a birth defect, is sharing her "redemption story" in the film "I Can." The movie focuses on her parents' affair, her unexpected pregnancy, and her journey as a successful softball player. Pavey's parents initially believed her birth defect was a punishment for their sins, but she overcame adversity with her positive attitude and faith. The film aims to inspire others and remind them that God doesn't make mistakes. Proceeds from the film will go towards helping kids in need.
A woman, known as Aria, has defied death three times by surviving a near-fatal car accident and beating terminal cancer twice. After being diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and given five years to live, she entered remission but was later diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Following her second recovery, she was involved in a horrific car accident that left her with severe injuries. Despite the challenges, she has relearned how to walk and drive and is determined to live life to the fullest. Aria shares her story on social media, inspiring thousands of followers with her resilience and gratitude.
Elana Koenig, a teenage cancer survivor, founded the Koenig Childhood Cancer Foundation to help children and families dealing with cancer. The foundation has raised nearly $1.5 million and provided financial assistance, medical care, and emotional support to hundreds of children. Elana and her mother recently helped a Ukrainian family escape the war-torn country and brought their 2-year-old son, who was diagnosed with cancer, to the US for treatment. The boy is now cancer-free, and the Koenigs consider the family to be like their own. Elana's dream is to raise money for an apartment in New York City to house families whose children are undergoing cancer treatment.
