A Washinton Examiner report puts the new estimate this week of the growing population of “gotaways” in the United States at a sky-high 13 million‚ more than the population of every state except four: California‚ Texas‚ New York‚ and Florida. “I think the number is around‚ now‚ probably close to 13 million‚” said Steven Camarota‚ […] The post “13M Gotaways” Alone‚ 14‚509 Illegal Crossers in One Day appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

“I married my wife‚ Karen‚ in 1994 when I was 29 years old and she was 32. We both knew we wanted to have kids right away‚ so when Karen discovered she was pregnant‚ we were both so happy. Karen’s pregnancy with our son-to-be Joel was a very easy and delightful one‚ except she had the feeling that something was different. Joel was born on June 23rd‚ 1995‚ exactly one year‚ one month‚ and one day after we were married. Immediately upon delivery‚ Karen looked at Joel and said‚ ‘He has Down syndrome‚ doesn’t he?’ After the doctor confirmed the diagnosis‚ she looked at me and said‚ ‘Well I guess it’s the Special Olympics for him!’ Karen is an eternal optimist‚ which has served the family very well over the years. Courtesy of Mark Jamensky Karen and I came from very different upbringings. Before having Joel‚ Karen was around many people with special needs including her brother‚ but I had no such experience. That said‚ we both resolved ourselves to provide the best possible environment for Joel to grow and thrive. When holding Joel for the first time it was like holding a floppy baby who collapsed into your arms. He was 6 pounds of joy and a huge responsibility which was a little frightening at the time‚ but his energy was very present. The hospital staff informed us of what to expect and we began booking appointments right away. Fortunately‚ we had good support which helped us get Joel on a list to see many child development specialists‚ financial support programs‚ and‚ most importantly‚ a lactation consultant because Joel was having trouble feeding. When Joel was young (and still sometimes to this day)‚ people say ‘I’m sorry’ upon first hearing about our son’s diagnosis. This is one phrase that continues to frustrate us. We aren’t sorry for our beautiful child and for the amazing lessons we are learning. We wish people would instead say‚ ‘That’s amazing!’ When Joel was six months old we were introduced to The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia‚ which treats developmentally disabled children. The primary goal is to stimulate children in order to maximize their potential. We eagerly embarked on this journey‚ and from six months of age to six years old we performed numerous and continuous tasks with Joel all with the aim of giving him the best chance of success. Courtesy of Mark Jamensky It was both extremely taxing on us‚ as well as incredibly rewarding. The inside of our home was turned into a child’s dream of gym mats‚ monkey bars‚ and various other apparatus‚ all with the goal of keeping Joel engaged and stimulated as much as possible. Not only did it help Joel‚ but at 33 Karen was cured of her dyslexia. At 2.5 years old‚ Joel’s sister Kendra arrived. She was a healthy baby‚ and of course soon grew to outpace her brother. The two of them were inseparable when they were young‚ and they adored each other’s company. Courtesy of Mark Jamensky The home environment was an incredibly joyous one with all of the activity‚ and it was most often the central house for all of the kids on the street to congregate. It was a glorious time full of laughter and silliness. As Joel grew‚ we continued to give him every opportunity and push the societal boundaries of what is typical for someone like him. We took family trips and went hiking in the Yukon‚ the Adirondacks‚ and Bolivia. Joel participated in all manner of sports including cycling‚ football‚ swimming‚ kayaking‚ ice hockey‚ and even surfing on trips to Costa Rica. Joel also participated in Special Olympics swimming‚ track and field‚ and downhill skiing. Karen taught the children so many things from an early age‚ including art‚ cooking‚ and independence. Although it often took Joel longer to master a new skill‚ the joy and thrill of accomplishment was always that much greater! Courtesy of Mark Jamensky Courtesy of Mark Jamensky In school‚ Joel was of the generation that pushed the ‘inclusion‘ boundaries‚ so that in primary school he was in a regular class with a teacher’s aid. Moving into high school this became more difficult‚ however the environment was still one of support and encouragement. I used to worry if Joel was possibly getting picked on in high school‚ but one time when dropping Joel off after an appointment‚ they walked into school together and everyone was high-fiving Joel. He was a superstar in high school! I didn’t worry much about school bullies after that. Courtesy of Mark Jamensky Joel’s dream was to work in a kitchen and be a businessman. In his early twenties‚ Joel went to college and got his Kitchen Steward certificate in an adaptive program. He loves to cook‚ and is very proud to say‚ ‘I have a college degree.’ He also worked part-time in a kitchen for seven years‚ making his way there by taking the bus across the city on his own‚ and taking quite a lot of pride in his freedom and his work contribution. His co-workers said he cleaned up the language and the work environment for the better‚ since Joel does not accept any swearing! Courtesy of Mark Jamensky Joel continues to participate in artistic programs which he loves. In a couple of the group art shows‚ to our great surprise‚ ALL of his original art pieces would sell out! We thought this was of course wonderful‚ but we didn’t really think much of it other than to keep his encouraging his art. Although we have had so many wondrous experiences with Joel‚ it has not always been easy. Even in Joel’s generation‚ there were still times that his peers‚ their parents‚ and even some teachers were not as supportive of the inclusive mindset. As Joel’s parents‚ we must always remain vigilant and continue to advocate. Routine is key to Joel’s independence and health‚ so when the Covid-19 pandemic hit‚ it was an especially difficult time since he no longer could work or attend his in-person programs. Joel struggled with anxiety‚ isolation‚ and depression. He would sometimes talk about his pandemic fears‚ and he became much less motivated to do anything. We signed him up for online programs to create routine but the impact it had was limited. That’s when we encouraged him to spend more time on his art. Joel derived a great deal of joy from creating new art and while doing so everything else in the world melted away. It was Karen who suggested to me that I make Joel a website for his art. She got Joel to describe each of his art pieces‚ and to talk about what doing his art meant to him. This provided some beautiful insights into his wonderful creations‚ and this all now makes up an important part of Joel’s website so that everyone can experience Joel’s art and the world through his unique perspective. Courtesy of Mark Jamensky Courtesy of Mark Jamensky It was also during this time that Joel gave himself the nickname ‘J Positive.’ He knew he was struggling with his mental health‚ and he chose the J Positive name as a way to remind himself to focus on the positive and aim to overcome his struggles. We all agree that Joel is the wisest person in the family! We launched Joel’s Art By J Positive store in February 2022. Customer feedback has been wonderful‚ and Joel’s uniquely joyous creations are spreading happiness and positivity around the world. A portion of proceeds are donated to organizations supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. Joel also helps respond to the extremely kind and heartwarming customer feedback on the site and our corresponding social media pages. This has all given Joel a newfound sense of pride. Courtesy of Frank Fenn Photography Although he still sometimes struggles today with anxiety and his mental health‚ Joel is continuing to make progress towards healing and he is on the path to recovery. His artistic outlet continues to be an important part of his healing journey. Joel still brings challenges to us‚ but there isn’t a day that goes by where we don’t laugh! We are also blessed that his sister adores him and protects him with all her heart. Life is about the people who surround you. How lucky we are! Being a parent teaches you patience‚ selflessness‚ and learning to live in the moment. Being a parent of a child with a developmental disability teaches you all of these things times ten. We believe that we are much better people for having Joel in our lives‚ and the world is a much better place with him in it. Courtesy of Mark Jamensky Sometimes people will say that we are amazing parents‚ however we would say that we’re just parents doing our best‚ who have been blessed with a very precious gift. We sincerely wish more young and expectant parents could hear this perspective. I’d like to now end with Joel’s thoughts on his art: Art is about life‚ growing up‚ and getting older. My art is very serious to me. I get my ideas from movies‚ rock and roll music‚ and family that I enjoy. When I am doing my art it feels like I am free‚ sometimes free falling. I just want a normal real life because love is real. My nickname is ‘J Positive’ because I am a positive person. It makes me feel very good when people like my art.” Courtesy of Mark Jamensky This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Mark Jamensky. Follow his son Joel on Instagram‚ Facebook‚ and TikTok‚ where you can learn about how he is making the world a more inclusive and joyous place for us all. Have a story of love‚ kindness‚ or healing to share? Visit our submissions portal to submit today. Read more about Down syndrome: Adorably Protective Big Sis Nurses Sibling With Down Syndrome Back To Health‚ Shows Unbreakable Bond Of Sisterhood Mom Of 3 Can’t Contain Joy After Surprise Baby With Down Syndrome In Mid-Forties Know someone who could benefit from reading this? SHARE this story on social media with family and friends.

Actress Cameron Diaz says she wants society to “normalize” the idea of married couples sleeping in separate bedrooms. The 51-year-old star has been married to Good Charlotte guitarist Benji Madden since 2015. The couple has one child together. Diaz made her comments about having separate spaces during an appearance on the “Lipstick on the Rim” podcast. When one of the other women said her husband snores‚ the “Charlie’s Angels” star said she prefers living together‚ but apart. “We should normalize separate bedrooms‚” Diaz said. “To me‚ I would literally‚ I have my house‚ you have yours. We have the family house in the middle. I will go and sleep in my room. You go sleep in your room. I’m fine.” “And we have the bedroom in the middle that we can convene in for our relations‚” she added. When one of the podcast hosts mentioned that her stance could be seen as controversial‚ Diaz brushed it off with a joke. “I’ve already said it‚” Diaz said. “By the way‚ I don’t feel that way now because my husband is so wonderful. I said that before I got married.” The concept is not new to Hollywood celebrities. Actress Gwyneth Paltrow and her husband‚ Brad Falchuk‚ live in different houses.  CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP “Oh‚ all my married friends say that the way we live sounds ideal and we shouldn’t change a thing‚” Paltrow told The Sunday Times of their arrangement in 2019‚ which includes Falchuk spending four nights a week at her house and the rest at his own home.  Another famous couple rumored to have slept apart was Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. According to the late monarch’s biography‚ this arrangement worked well for them and was very common among royals and other members of upper-class British society. “In England‚ the upper class always have had separate bedrooms‚” Prince Philip’s cousin Lady Pamela Hicks said‚ via Woman and Home. She insisted this didn’t have any bearing on the strength of the relationship. “When you are feeling cozy you share your room sometimes‚” Lady Pamela continued. “It is lovely to be able to choose.” 

Grief is so incredibly complex. If you’ve ever lost someone that you love‚ then you understand this all too well. No matter how long someone has been gone‚ it seems there will always be something that triggers a certain memory that somehow simultaneously brings you joy and breaks your heart. Then‚ there are the moments where you briefly forget that they’re even gone. That’s what happens when Dillon White gets a call from his dead dad. Dillon‚ who also goes by dadchats on social media‚ recounts the unusual moment in a video. It’s 9:30 at night when his phone rings. Lately‚ he’s been getting quite a bit of unwanted calls at night‚ so he doesn’t think much of it at first. Then he sees the name of the caller on the screen: Dad’s Cell. TikTok “And I go‚ ‘Oh‚ cool. My Dad’s calling‚'” Dillon recalls. “And then‚ immediately‚ I say‚ hold up‚ my dad died three years ago… what is this?” Man Gets a Call From His Dead Father Hesitantly‚ Dillon answers the phone to hear the voice of his mom. Usually‚ she only uses a landline‚ but she chose to keep her late husband’s cell and still pays the monthly bill. This unexpected call prompts Dillon to think about his dad‚ particularly about grief. “When someone dies‚ the first memory that leaves you is the sound of their voice‚” he recalls being told once. “That stuck with me so much that‚ since college‚ I have been saving voicemails from my dad. Like‚ 15 years worth of just useless voicemails.” TikTok While Dillon shares that he’d give anything to actually talk to his dad on the phone again‚ these voicemails bring him comfort. And although it’s tough to not have him around‚ especially during the holidays‚ he’s reminding himself and others the importance of not judging your feelings when it comes to grief. “So if you’re struggling‚ especially out of the blue‚ that’s okay‚” he shares. “That happens. That’s normal. Sit in it. Grieve with it. Feel it. It doesn’t go away‚ I don’t think. It certainly hasn’t for me. It still feels as fresh today as it did three years ago.” Watch the video below to hear more about grief from Dillon‚ the man who seemingly received a call from his dead dad. @dadchats Grief still knows my number ♬ Paper Birds (3 min) – Jordan Halpern Schwartz You can find the source of this story’s featured image here! The post Man Perfectly Describes Grief After His Father “Calls” Him Three Years After His Death. appeared first on InspireMore.

Grissom is a happy golden retriever who thought his mom’s hood was a toy. We’ve talked about goldens before; Grissom is no exception to the lineage. He is pure golden all the time. Our video for you today is three years old and has made the rounds. You may recognize it‚ and that’s okay. We’re looking at it again because it is essential to understand the story behind the video. It’s about how our pets know what we need‚ even when we don’t. Grissom knew what his human mom needed‚ and he provided it. Let’s fill in the backstory. In August 2020‚ our heroine‚ Makayla Rogers‚ went through a rough breakup. She moved from Virginia to Rhode Island and began working 15-hour days. She was concentrating on establishing two new businesses. Grissom was going through what she calls a “pterodactyl” phase‚ whatever that means. He was beginning his training‚ and tensions were high. Add to that Makayla’s emotional roller coaster following the breakup‚ and you have a recipe for something wild. Makayla needed a release of tension‚ even if she didn’t realize it. Image from YouTube. Grissom saw that need and answered the call valiantly. The Ring video opens with the two heading outside to play. Makayla had been carrying a frisbee‚ but that was dropped quickly when the golden retriever grabbed her furry hood. We hear Makayla moaning‚ “Oh‚ my god…” She complains that no one prepares you for what to do when things like this happen. In fairness‚ Grissom thought they were playing‚ and the hood was a toy. But for Makayla‚ the incident provided the time she needed to “give up and laugh.” Image from YouTube. Reflecting On The Golden Retriever Hood Incident As Grissom was pulling on Makayla’s hood and dragging her around the deck‚ she could be heard hollering‚ “This is not how I want to go out‚ Grissom!” In her own words‚ that unbridled laughter was her having a mental breakdown. We watched the video and laughed because it was indeed hilarious. But Makayla was going through many life changes‚ and that laughter was a release she didn’t know she needed. Image from YouTube. In her Instagram post describing the hood incident‚ Makayla explains‚ “… sometimes we don’t get to decide how we display a mental breakdown‚ but for me‚ in that moment‚ all I could do was give up and laugh.” She continues to explain that she needed that laughter for her soul. It is a day that Makayla will never forget. So‚ as we rewatch this older clip‚ remember that laughter is the best medicine. It can mean the difference between remaining on the edge or plummeting headlong in the wrong direction. When you have a choice‚ lie down and laugh. You’ll feel much better afterward. Share this with someone who might need a laugh to get through the day. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post “This Is Not How I Wanna Go Out‚ Grissom!” Dog Mistakes Mom’s Hood For Toy. appeared first on InspireMore.

Imagine pretending to be supportive of your people when youre actually stealing from them. No wonder Democrats like Gay.

Worship is what Christians are called to do with their whole lives

'vitally important ruling'

'It was a terrible crash'

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