Little Hero, Big Bravery

Plus: Yuna's Journey to Freedom

Chief Happiness Officer
September 06, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

Good morning, wonderful souls! 🌞

Today, we're diving into tales that remind us of the extraordinary in everyday life! Here’s what we’ve got lined up for you:

- A four-year-old hero! Meet Lyla Leathem, whose quick thinking saved her mum during an emergency—proof that bravery comes in all sizes!
- A lioness named Yuna takes her first steps on grass, a heartwarming rescue story showcasing the incredible work of animal welfare champions.

Let’s bask in this wave of positivity together—read on for the full stories! 🌟

Little Hero with a Big Heart

Leah Biggs with daughter Lyla Leathem – credit SWNS

Lyla Leathem with trophy and certificate for helping her mother – SWNS

Sometimes, bravery comes in the most unexpected forms! Meet Lyla Leathem, a remarkable four-year-old from Somerset, who demonstrated quick thinking that would make any superhero proud. When her mother, Leah, suffered from an epileptic seizure, it was Lyla's calm and collected response that brought the family together in the face of a challenge.

A Quick Call for Help

When Lyla saw her mum collapse, instead of panicking, she remembered the family’s prior training with Amazon Alexa. Faced with the locked phone dilemma, this pint-sized genius sprinted upstairs to ask Alexa for help! With a blend of determination and love, she managed to call her great-grandmother, who rushed to the scene. Just imagine: a four-year-old girl directing an Amazon device to save the day, it’s like something straight out of a heartwarming movie!

Celebrating Courage

Lyla wasn’t just recognised as the family hero; her great-grandmother even took to Facebook to find her a ‘well done’ certificate. The response was overwhelming, with an outpouring of admiration for this young girl’s incredible bravery. Eventually, celebrations included a trophy and a page in the local gazette—definitely a fun story for show and tell!

It’s heartening to know that amidst the hustle and bustle of life, courage can come from the most unlikely sources. Lyla is now a symbol of hope, showcasing that even the smallest in our communities can indeed be our greatest protectors. So let’s cheer for young Lyla—a pint-sized hero with a heart as big as her bravery!

Read the full news here.

A Paw-sitive Step to Freedom

credit – The Big Cat Sanctuary, retrieved from YouTube

In a heartwarming rescue story, a lioness named Yuna has taken her first tentative steps on grass after escaping the turmoil of war-torn Ukraine. Imagine going from a tiny cage to sprawling green fields—talk about a glow-up! It's a testament to the resilience of spirit and the dedication of animal welfare champions.

From Concrete to Comfort

Yuna, who spent two and a half years in a small concrete enclosure, had never felt the soft touch of grass under her paws. It's hard to fathom what it's like to be denied the simple pleasure of a romp in the sun, especially for such a majestic creature. Yet, despite her traumatic past, the Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) have sprung into action to rescue Yuna and give her a second chance at life.

After a monumental 30-hour operation, Yuna finally arrived at her new sanctuary, where her initial reluctance to explore her new surroundings melted our hearts. “Watching her tentatively peek at her outdoor space was such a heartwarming sight,” said Cam Whitnall, Project Lead.

Hope on the Horizon

But Yuna's story doesn't end here! Efforts are underway to rescue more lionesses still trapped in dreadful conditions back in Ukraine. Among them are Amani and Lira, believed to have been exploited for photographs—proof that even the smallest steps to save these magnificent creatures can create ripples of change.

Yuna stepping out for the first time reminds us that, no matter how bleak the circumstances, hope and love can prevail. So, let’s keep the pawsitive vibes rolling! If you’d like to help these furry friends in need, every little donation goes a long way. Let’s make a difference together!

Read the full news here.

Bright Spots in Troubling Times

In a world often clouded by turmoil, this week has surprised us with a refreshing breeze of positivity. From children's vaccinations in Gaza to groundbreaking neuroscience research, it seems that sometimes, good news really does make the headlines!

Vaccination Victory in Gaza

In the midst of conflict, Gaza’s polio vaccination campaign has emerged as a beacon of hope. A staggering 640,000 children are being targeted, and thanks to brief pauses in hostilities, over 189,000 have already been vaccinated! As Unicef's Adele Khodr put it, “what can be achieved with, simply, will” is a testament to determination in dire circumstances. With the first polio case in 25 years appearing in Gaza, this initiative holds the promise of protecting not just children's health, but that of neighbouring countries as well.

Mental Health on the Mend

Meanwhile, neuroscience is pulling back the curtain on depression with innovative brain mapping! Researchers discovered that a larger salience network in the brain may predispose individuals to depression, challenging our understanding of this complex condition. As Dr Conor Liston noted, we're looking at “an order of magnitude larger” risk factors than before—making previous assumptions look like mere peas in a pod!

Not to be outdone, England's green social prescribing schemes are transforming mental health through nature. With participants engaging in activities like community gardening, their wellbeing reports saw remarkable improvements, all for a fraction of the cost of traditional interventions. “This is just the beginning,” stated Prof Ruth Garside, reminding us that nature might just be the best therapist around.

As the week wraps up, let’s hold onto these bright spots while we work toward a future filled with hope and health!

Read the full news here.

In other uplifting news

A remarkable 15-year-old has been recognised as Time magazine's Kid of the Year after developing a soap that has the potential to treat skin cancer, proving that innovation knows no age limits. Read more
Six-year-old Seren Price has made history as the youngest girl to summit Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, inspiring many with her adventurous spirit and determination. Read more
In a heartwarming ceremony, a jumper-wearing cat was among those honoured for their heroic acts, alongside an ovarian cancer survivor and a dedicated father caring for his daughter with anorexia, showcasing inspiring stories of love and resilience. Read more
A new initiative in theatre is enhancing accessibility with audio descriptions, enabling audiences to engage deeply with performances. This effort focuses on inclusive experiences, enriching the lives of those with visual impairments in the arts community. Read more
In a fascinating breakthrough in biohybrid robotics, a traditional robot has been animated to life by the commands of a mushroom! This blend of nature and technology is pushing the boundaries of robotics. Read more

Inspiring Quote of the Day

"God always takes the simplest way."

— Albert Einstein

Uplifting tweets

Readers can now trade their unwanted literature for online credit on a new UK-based book recycling platform
positive.news/society/read-s…
— Positive News (@PositiveNewsUK)
2:02 PM • Sep 4, 2024