Category: WRWKT
Soccer player Kate Reese documents ACL recovery to inspire others
| November 9, 2012 | Posted by admin under teens, whats right with kids today, WRWKT |
In the socccer off-season, January of 2012, then high school freshman Kate Reese tore her ACL and both menisci in her right knee playing high school basketball. This mini-documentary is her story from pre-op to stepping back on the field in October of 2012 and gives an honest “What to expect” perspective from one female athlete who loves the game and was single-minded in her goal during the 8 months it took her to return to play. She successfully channeled all of her energy into rehab and training to meet her goal to be back on the field at some point in the 2012 fall season. Kate’s surgeon, Dr. Kurt Schluntz of OrthoBethesda used Kate’s own patella tendon to replace her shredded ACL because of her age and intense level of activity.
Documenting her journey on video originally was intended to help other athletes who are undergoing ACL reconstruction. There are so many questions that athletes have before surgery such as the type of repair (Patella, hamstring, cadaver?) and during rehab. Kate found herself looking for information and positive examples on Youtube and found a lot of good information, but she wanted to know how athletes did not just in the days after surgery, but in their return to play.
So this video hopefully gives the full picture from pre-op to Kate’s return to play. And, as a side note, Kate acknowledges that this video had a second benefit. Beyond helping others who are traveling a similar road to healing, this video helped Kate too. She recalls that it was good for her to be reminded just how far she had come, especially on the days that she wanted to be able to do more–sooner.
NOTE: If you are going through an ACL reconstruction and have read that athletes return anywhere from 4 months to 12 months after surgery, you are right. Kate was told that even past the 1.5 year mark post-op, your “New ACL” is still learning to talk to your brain as you develop new feedback mechanisms that will do what the ACL used to do automatically. So, even when you return to play, you should allow yourself at least a year and a half to continue improving your game to your pregame skill.
Teen turns Mom’s suicide into an opportunity to help others
| November 17, 2011 | Posted by admin under be the change, kids with character, overcoming adversity, teens, whats right with kids today, WRWKT |
Most teens (and adults) prefer to process the adversity in life in private venues. The smaller things, like zits, a less than stellar report card or a fallout with a friend are often things we deal with privately or with trusted people in our inner circle.
It is this truth that makes this lovely video so powerful. It is so unexpected that this young teen, Kait, holds up a sign in this video, sharing that “On October 5th, 2011, my mum died…I found her in my woods hanging. She committed suicide”.
It is staggering to think that this young spirit, who has surely been through a heart-wrenching loss has been able to turn this profound loss into a gift to anyone suffering a similar loss–or is depressed themselves.
Such sweetness, authenticity and care comes through with Kait only holding signs before the viewer. What an exceptional human being. At the time of this writing 16 year old Kait’s video has 419,255 views. Share this beautiful message so it can get into the hands of anyone who needs a dose of Kait’s perspective.
All the best,
Rena M. Reese
Founder, Soul Salon International
Sponsor of What’s Right With Kids Today
*NOMINATE A SPECIAL YOUTH YOU KNOW TO BE FEATURED on WRWKT *
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Rena M. Reese is the founder of Soul Salon International, an inspirational multimedia company which offers coaching, consulting, web-design, publishing support, and fundraising opportunities for individuals and groups. She is the author of several inspirational titles, a professional speaker and coach as well as the host of a weekly radio program, The Soul Salon. Her articles are syndicated in print and online Please visit www.SoulSalonInternational.com and connect with her on Twitter @TheSoulSalon and on facebook
13 year old Eleanor Muzzipapa: Peacemaker
| July 19, 2011 | Posted by admin under Eleanor Muzzipapa, make a wish, Starlight Foundation, teens, Tito Jackson, whats right with kids today, WRWKT, WRWKT? What's Right With Kids Today?, youth |
“All human beings have potiential. In every person I meet or see at school or on the street I can see that potiential. It’s like a spark that goes off in their heartand I always see that.” –Eleanor Muzzipapa
Ask a few 13 year-olds their mission in life you will likely get a range of responses. It would not be unusual to hear a good number of those teens respond with,”I don’t know yet, I am only 13!” But if you were to ask Eleanor Muzzipapa her mission in life, she would be quite clear about it–as a matter of fact, she has already gotten busy achieving it. This Colorado teen from Colorado Springs explains her mission in one short phrase,”Bring Peace To Communites Across The Nation And Worldwide.” She lives with a personal expectation of peace for our world and shared with WRWKT that her greatest hope is, “That everyone will understand that violence won’t be stopped with violence– The only way violence can be stopped is by caring, love,compassion and understanding.” Wise beyond her years, Eleanor will be entering 8th grade this fall and has had lots of practice in practicing these peace principles. She is one of five sisters and has three brothers.
Eleanor is an advocate, messenger, supporter, and caretaker. From as young as age three she began helping with the care of her grandfather and also cared for her younger sister who is autistic. So, it is no surprise that now, at age 13, Eleanor feels the greatest calling to work with the elderly, autistic as well as those in emotional distress. She says she does this because she has “a lot of love, compassion, wisdom, and kindness to give.” Her close relationship with her grandfather allows her to spend time with him listening to his stories about life during WWII and what times were like during the depression. He shares life lessons and one that has really stuck with her is, “You can do anything you want as long as you work hard to get there.”
Eleanor is willing and able to work hard– and she carries a spirit of kindness and volunteerism throughout all parts of her life. at home, school, church and in her community. She is making a difference and she has been recognized for her efforts. She has been awarded a Helping Hand Award, Valuable Leader Award, Outstanding Service Award and Great Kid Award in her 13 short years–so you know this is just the beginning of the terrific contributions she will make in life. This big-hearted teen is a good friend too, she explains, “ I always have people’s backs if they’re getting bullied or they just need someone to talk to I have their back 100%.”
When Eleanor is not swimming, running track, playing her trumpet or hanging out with friends, you may find her on Twitter, Facebook Fan Page or on her website in support of Tito Jackson or her personal website. She is a huge Tito Jackson fan and has such admiration for him and is taken by his kindness. She is a life-long fan of all of the Jacksons and she hopes that she can one day use her gift of writing and singing to “express awareness” to the world and promote her messages of support for those less-fortunate as well as her hope for peace. With a long list of Charities that she supports, Eleanor knows what matters most to her– and she invests her days lifting others up.
She offers her support to:
-HealTheWorld87 From Twitter“You remind me of Princess Diana. You are a great young lady. I wanna be like you when I grow up.”
-KTAJ5678 From Twitter
-Jack5ons_Love From Twitter
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Second graders solve carpool bottleneck
| June 5, 2011 | Posted by admin under envoronmentalists, what's right with kids today? Rena Reese, whats right with kids today, WRWKT |
We have often heard it said that if you have a problem that baffles adults, ask some children to solve it. Concord Hill School students did just that. This group of second graders from Chevy Chase, MD entered and won Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, solving their school’s “environmental problem.” This small group of 13 second graders figured out that about 60 cars were burning gasoline at about six gallons per hour while waiting in the carpool lane. Not only did they more
Dominic Geragi: Activist & Environmentalist
| May 27, 2011 | Posted by admin under inspiration, kids helping animals, kids with character, whats right with kids today, WRWKT |
Dominic Geragi is one of the planet’s youngest environmentalists and animal activists. This seven year old wonder boy has used many modes of communication and activism to make a difference in the lives of animals living on and around various continents. Among those are a video tweet to President Obama requesting that we stop drilling for oil in the gulf, emails to educate fisherman about saving the seals and he has even used YouTube as avenue to inspire people to respect nature and the animals who share the environment with us.
You can read more about this fabulous kid making a difference in his local community and our global community to creatures with legs, fins, flippers and wings at Kids Are Heroes.
All the best!
Rena M. Reese
Sponsor, Whats Right With Kids Today
Founder, Soul Salon International
*NOMINATE A SPECIAL YOUTH YOU KNOW TO BE FEATURED on WRWKT *
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Bunny Gets Wheels
| May 1, 2011 | Posted by admin under kids helping animals, what's right with kids today? Rena Reese, whats right with kids today, WRWKT, you tube |
Two abandoned bunnies were found April 17 and it was obvious that one of the bunnies, Joe was born a paraplegic. The tenacious little critter was able to get around, but more
Brian Macdonald pens a song for autistic sister Claire
| April 26, 2011 | Posted by admin under compassionate kids, Rena Reese, what's right with kids today? Rena Reese, whats right with kids today, WRWKT, wrwkt? rena reese, WRWKT? What's Right With Kids Today? |
Brian Macdonald, an 18 year old songwriter/singer from Wheaton, Illinois discovered a powerful way to make a difference in the life of his autistic sister Claire. Brian, a senior at Wheaton Academy High School used his passion for music to compose a song for his 21 year old autistic sister Claire who needed some… more
Evan Seigel: 10 year old HERO
| April 18, 2011 | Posted by admin under whats right with kids today, WRWKT, youth |
For elementary-aged kids, the opportunity to be a school patrol is a responsibility, a privilege–and fun too. When Evan Seigel took on his job as a patrol, he knew it was not fun-and-games and a job to be taken seriously. more
Luna the Jumping Cow
| April 7, 2011 | Posted by admin under Soul Salon International, teens, whats right with kids today, WRWKT, you tube |
15 year old German Youth Regina Mayer didn’t sit around and sulk when her parents said no to her request for a horse. When she was told she could not add a horse to their family farm she set her sights on the next best thing. Regina trained the family cow Luna to show jump. more
Alec Scheuffele rescues a bird the size of his thumb
| January 19, 2011 | Posted by admin under compassionate kids, kids helping animals, love is all you need, Rena Reese, Soul Salon International, teens, whats right with kids today, WRWKT, you tube, youth |
It was really satisfying to see him fly off about to conquer the world. It’s great knowing that you made a difference in the world, even if its for a bird the size of your thumb.” more
