this is what’s right in the world

Oscar Pistorius was born without fibulae, but that is not going to prevent him from trying to compete in the Olympics. The Olympic committee has approved his request to try out despite debate over how his artifucial limbs may be more efficient for running than ‘normal’ human limbs.

This is a victory for people with disabilities–Pistorius would be the first to run in the Olympics with this type of artificial limb.

Source: Sprinter with two carbon-fiber feet gets Olympic thumbs up

A Florida baby born at 21 weeks has defied all odds by surviving and thriving. Her parents fought for the doctors to save her life even though she was incredibly premature. Her survival has sparked debate over the legal age limit for abortion–for now, babies can be aborted as late as 21 weeks.

Little Amillia shows how human strength can abide at even such a young age.

Source: Miracle baby clung to life

Irena Sendler saved more than 2,000 Jewish children from the Nazis during WWII. She was humble about her actions, saying that she merely stayed normal when the world had gone mad. She died this week in the town where she was born–she was 98 years old.

Beautiful stories like hers show how even in the midst of madness, human integrity and compassion can reign over great chaos and evil. She was arrested by the Nazis and sentenced to die, but the underground movement bribed her guards and got her out. Rightfully, Catholic, Jewish, and political organizations have lauded her heroic acts.

Source: Polish Catholic woman who saved children from Nazis dies at 98

Prince Charles has done his part in opening a Jewish Community Centre in Poland. The idea to open the centre came to him after meeting with Holocaust survivors some years ago. The centre will be a resource for Jewish students, the elderly, and its programs will be open to the community.

It is being looked at as a way of honoring those who were killed during the Holocaust because it will bring more life to the community.

Prince Charles is not Jewish, but his participation in this project represents the beauty and good that can come when people of different faiths work together toward something greater.

Source: Prince opens Krakow Jewish Centre

Moshe Kai Cavalin is a college sophomore and honor student at the East Los Angeles College. He is also 10 years old.

While this may conjure up memories of Doogie Howser, Cavalin is for all intents and purposes just a regular boy whose parents tried to put him in a private school, but found that college would be a more suitable challenge.

Some believe that any child can accomplish such levels of learning in the right environment, so perhaps Cavalin will be one of many ‘wonder-kids’ as more parents push the bar.

Source: 10-year-old takes college by storm

Girl Scout Jennifer Sharpe has sold what is believed to be more boxes of Girl Scout cookies than anyone else, ever! Her troop was raising money to go to Europe, and they were successful.

Selling the cookies is supposed to help the girls develop confidence and a mind for how business works. It looks like Sharpe has definitely done this.

Of course, it can’t be that hard to convince people to buy Thin Mints can it? Kidding, kidding–kudos to her for doing it all so well!

Source: Scout sells 17,328 boxes of cookies

When a Western Oregon University softball player hit a home run, then collapsed with a knee injury, players from the rival team, Central Washington University, carried her around the bases. This caused the CWU team to forfeit their place in the playoff. This amazing display of grace gives a good name to athletes everywhere–they honored the injured player’s home run rather than take advantage of the injury to claim a victory for themselves.

The article says that people from both teams were incredibly touched. It is the small things like this that remind us all of the inner good of people.

Source: Unbelievable sportsmanship in softball game

James Woodard was released from prison after 27 years when DNA testing revealed that he did not commit the crime for which he was sentenced. DNA technology is exonerating people who would have been forced to stay in prison for years longer. Woodard is a black male who was convicted of rape and murder–he fits the profile of many who are wrongfully convicted. DNA technology has the power to change the justice system to make it more fair for everyone who goes through a trial.

27 years will never been given back, but at least Woodard will be able to live out the rest of his life with the dignity of knowing that his record is cleared. It will be exciting to see how many more convictions are corrected via DNA technology.

Source: DNA frees Texas man imprisoned for 27 years

Teens everywhere are constantly working their fingers on their cell phones. To the amazement/irritation of many, teens are always in touch with friends and family members via text messaging.

One teen saved her home from being robbed with her text messaging. Ohioan Lauren Durnbaugh was home from school one day when she heard intruders in her home. She hid in her bed so they would not see her and quickly texted her mother. Her mother was able to get home and call the police in time to prevent the robbers from taking off.

Texting kept this teen and her home safe…what else can it do?

Source: Ohio teen foils intruders with text message

An Ohio man traveled to Honduras to volunteer with Central American Medical Outreach (CAMO). CAMO works on community development and helps volunteers use their skills to teach in a trade school. Daniel Greaser is a woodworker who was able to teach Honduran students how they could use woodworking to sustainably make money for themselves and their family.

Organizations that empower the local residents are the most sustainable–rather than dropping off a shipment of good, residents are being taught how to continually make their lives better. CAMO is one organization out of many that does this.

Source: Norton resident uses hobby to fight poverty in Honduras