University Dean Wants Cultures to Embrace Each Other - Becomes the Founder of Louisianas First Human Library
With world-wide travel and the bottomless pit of information online, different cultures are interacting more than ever before. Recently, the dean of the grad school at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette put together a tool that would help her community blossom.When Mary Farmer-Kaiser was discussing the idea of bringing the Human Library to Louisiana, she received a nod from two people on opposite sides of the political spectrum. At that moment in 2021, Mary knew it was a good idea.What Is the Human Library?Photo by fauxelsThe Human Library is an organization that originated in Denmark. The idea behind it is to have people volunteer to be open books. Readers “borrow” a book and have a conversation with a person they would otherwise rarely interact with. The human books represent groups in society who are often subjected to prejudice, discrimination or stigmatization because of their lifestyle, diagnosis, belief, disability, social status, ethnic origin and more. It is a perfect method to bring out similarities between communities.Mary Farmer-Kaiser worked for two years to secure funding for a Human Library event in Louisiana. This past May, she received it. Mary says the pursuit of putting together the event was driven by curiosity and a desire to know other people. "To break down stereotypes, something I'll continue to work toward till my dying day," she said. "When we embrace our humanity, we take care of our community. This community means a lot to all of us. The Human Library is an opportunity to get to know your community.”For the event in Louisiana, Mary and her team selected 23 “books” and put them in training. Examples of human book titles available for the event in Lafayette include a cancer survivor, an adoptee, a minister, a beauty queen, an angry Black female, someone with ADHD, parents of a trans child and more. "It's a beautifully well developed method. It's a plug and play," Mary said. "A lot of training goes into it to make sure everyone understands what the purpose is, in not judging people, but in having dialogue.”How the Human Library Is Educating the CommunityMary says her top priority in hosting this event is making sure everyone involved gets treated with respect. It’s not easy for people to open up to strangers but it is necessary for a community to grow stronger. "Our No. 1 job is to ensure our books are borrowed and returned in the same condition," she said. "When a human reader comes, we help them get a library card and review the titles available and decide which one they would like to borrow.”Mary Farmer-Kaiser and her team saw an opportunity to further educate their community and went full steam ahead. Not only do the readers benefit from the conversations they're having, but the books also further their ability to speak to people of different backgrounds. “Some may turn into librarians instead of books. One book said, ‘I love everything about this, but I'm not ready to be published yet,’” Mary said.With a social landscape that’s changing quickly, events like the Human Library bring people closer than ever before. We should all strive to be an open book.More from Goalcast:Young Woman Who Can’t Afford University Decides to Go to Community College Instead – Then She Opens a Letter That Changes Everything13-Year-Old Sells Tea on the Street in the Cold for Earthquake Victims – University Awards Him a Full Scholarship
Dad Weighing 274 Pounds Decides to Lose Weight for a Unique Purpose - To Become an Organ Donor for His Son
A strong mind and clear intentions can accomplish the impossible. One Canadian father showed his determination through a gruelling weight-loss regimen to help his son however he can.One year ago, Daniel Kablutsiak and his wife were searching for an organ donor for their son, Hunter. Hunter was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney disease in 2020. He was managing the disease as best as he could but the medication -- 10 pills a day -- took a toll on his body and energy. “He's doing just fine, but with all these pills, that drains his energy easily compared to normal teenager,” Daniel said. Why One Father Decided to Lose WeightPhoto by William ChoquetteHunter needed a new kidney. His father, Daniel, knew he was a blood type match and could be a potential donor, but there was one problem. Daniel was 274 pounds and classified as overweight. Some of Hunter’s siblings were also potential donors but Daniel did not want to have to put them through surgery. To be the donor, Daniel would have to bring his weight down under 200 pounds.“So I took action,” Daniel said. He embarked on a year-long journey to become eligible. Daniel focused on two things: diet and exercise. He cut sugar out of his diet, and started walking at least five kilometres each day. When the temperature dropped below zero, or when there were polar bears in the area — a common occurrence in Arviat, Nunavut — he'd go to the gym to get his work in. “I was determined. I really love him, and I put my mind into it — 'I'm going to do it,' and I went at it,” he said.Over the next year, medication kept Hunter stable while Daniel chipped away at his goal of saving his son’s life. Roughly 13 months after Daniel began his weight-loss training, he weighed in at 195 pounds. He was officially eligible to donate his kidney to Hunter.How One Man Found Purpose in His Weight Loss JourneyDaniel credits his wife, Francine, for being his “coach” and keeping him motivated, but Francine witnessed his determination and believes he did it on his own. “He did most of it by himself, I'd say,” Francine said. “He came a long way. Wasn't easy for him. I couldn't have been more proud for him.”The year-long journey Daniel committed to proved to be a breath of fresh air for Hunter and the whole family. “His spirit went up, his energy, and I can see the glow in his face like some kind of relief or something,” Daniel said.With the days of being overweight behind him, Daniel feels better than ever. He was able to play a lot of hockey with Hunter this year, which he couldn’t do a year ago. The extra weight was giving him too much knee trouble. The inspiration he has given his children is priceless and he is committed to continue on this healthier path. Daniel Kablutisak found purpose in his training. He stayed determined for 13 months straight so that he could save his son. In the end, he not only improved his son’s quality of life, but his own in the process.More from Goalcast:Men Warn They Would Break Up With Plus Size Woman if She Didn’t Lose Weight – But One Personal Trainer Gets Down on One KneeWoman Ruthlessly Bullied By Dance Teachers For Being Overweight Breaks Stereotypes And Gets The Last LaughLoyal Young Man Steps In With Best Response Girlfriend After Bully Makes Comment on Her Weight
12-Year-Old Is Forced to Start Working to Pay Bills - Finally, She Decides to Finish What She Started 60 Years Ago
When it comes to accomplishing dreams you set out for yourself as a kid, it’s never too late. One great-grandmother from Queensland is living proof that your dreams stick with you forever.Sharon Sutton didn’t grow up with much. When she was a kid, she wasn’t able to attend high school because of a lack of resources. At age 12, she got a job to help her family pay the bills. Why One Woman Had to Start Working at 12 Years OldPhoto by cottonbro studioFast forward six decades and 73-year-old Sharon is pictured throwing her graduate cap during her commencement ceremony. “I've never stopped learning," Sharon said. “Even in those 55 years between finishing primary school and starting university, I don't think I ever stopped learning. I was always reading something and finding something new.”As a kid, Sharon loved to go to school. She had aspirations of becoming a history and geography teacher when she graduated. “I just assumed I was going on to high school,” she said. “I said something to my mum about, ‘Next year when I go to high school’ — and she told me that there was no high school… because mum and dad didn't have the money to buy uniforms or books or shoes. I was 12 when I started working in a clothing factory, which today would be called a sweatshop.”Sharon always knew she would get her degree one day. Over the next 40 years, Sharon and her husband worked on a cattle farm while raising their children and grandchildren.When she retired, she remembered what she set out to do and enrolled herself at the University of the Sunshine Coast. At school, she studied a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English and minoring in history and Indigenous studies.How a Grandmother Proved the Importance of Chasing Your Dreams Today, Sharon stands proud of the five years she worked to get her degree. She was constantly surrounded by people much younger than her but always managed to keep her head up. “I didn't just scrape over the line, she said. “I got good marks in so many subjects and so many assignments.” What Sharon found the most difficult in all of her studies was the technological aspect. She had to create PowerPoints and submit online assignments, which she had never done before. “I can remember submitting my first assignment and wondering whether it was going into the black hole of technology and if I'd ever see it again,” Sharon said. “PowerPoint presentations were an absolute nightmare, but I always got over the line with the content.” When Sharon was completing the forms for graduation everything became real. "I started to cry. I thought, 'Gee, it's real now, it’s not something just down the track. It's actually going to happen, I'm actually going to get a university degree,'” she said. “I think Mum would be proud.”Sharon’s message to everyone wanting to further their education is to “just go for it.” It’s never too late to finish what you started. “The environment and the atmosphere is so good, and mixing with the young people and listening to their views on things — it's just a great experience,” she mentioned. “I miss it terribly already.”More from Goalcast:Boy Walks More Than 2 Hours to Make It to His Graduation – Then an NFL Star Steps Up With a Free RideSingle Mom Asks Stranger to Cheer for Her Daughter at Graduation – Little Did She Know Just What He Was About to DoTeacher Thinks His Students Are Looking “Scruffy” at Their Graduation – Gives Them All Free Haircuts in School
Woman Leaves School to Become a Stay-At-Home Mom of 9 Kids - Years Later, a Family Meeting Changes Her Life
As you get older, life pulls you in different directions and you find yourself in places you never planned. One mother of 9 had to put her aspirations on hold for a while, but with the support of her family, she’s making strides towards her childhood dream.Why a Woman Stopped Following Her Dream of Becoming a DoctorPhoto by Tima MiroshnichenkoRecently, Sarah Merrill, age 41, received her medical degree from The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in Phoenix, Arizona. Her journey to medical school began as early as age 17, when she enrolled Dartmouth College as a pre-med. By the time she graduated from Dartmouth, she and her husband already had a 5-month old daughter.Sarah had plans to go straight into medical school after college but decided it was best to prioritize her newborn. She committed to being a stay-at-home mom and began growing her family. Fast forward to present day and Sarah has 9 children who currently range from 20-8 years old. “We weren't necessarily going for a large family, in particular, in our planning, but that is what we did,” Sarah said. “We ended up having four daughters and five sons, and we had all nine of those kids in 12 years.”With motherhood duties taking command of her time, Sarah did part-time medical research to try and keep one foot in the door of medicine. She knew that her story didn’t end there. When her youngest child reached the age of 2, Sarah decided it was time to go back to school.“Before I even applied to medical school, we had a big family meeting and everybody got to voice their opinion about it and we explained to them what it would mean,” Sarah said. “They all gave it a big vote of support at the time.”How One Mom Proved It’s Never Too Late to Chase Your Dreams After the family meeting, Sarah received the green light from her family to apply for medical school. She was accepted into The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and her family made the move from Pensilvania to Arizona. She had a crew of support. Her mom moved down to help with the kids and her husband’s remote job gave him some extra time.“A lot of times my teenage daughters would say, ‘Hey, mom, let's have a homework party,’ so that's what we do for fun,” Sarah mentioned. “We'd have snacks and they'd be doing their homework and I'd be studying for medical school.” They turned it into a real family affair.After graduating from medical school, Sarah found that being a mom helped her be a better student. “Waiting so long to do this, I think, made me appreciate it more and made me enjoy it more,” Sarah said. “And once I got into my clinical rotations, I noticed that I had a lot of life experience that helped me connect with a lot of patients, especially on my pediatrics and OBGYN rotations.”After years of being a super-mom, Sarah is back on track to accomplish her childhood dream. For her next step, she is attending a neurosurgery residency at Indiana University. Her family plans to join her in Indiana for support.When asked about the journey at this stage, Sarah puts emphasis on always holding on to your dreams. “Set the goals that are what you're really passionate about, that you would love to do and want to do, and once you've set that goal, then it helps to think small,” Sarah said. “If you know what your priorities are, focus on the next step and then you'll get where you want to go.”This mother of 9 never let life get in the way of her goals. Now, with the support of her family, she is more equipped than ever.More from Goalcast:Stranger Gives Homeless Man $100 Outback Gift Card – What Happens Next Completely Changes His Life5-Year-Old Boy and His Little Sister Are Abandoned on the Road by Their Mom – But One Couple Changes Their Life85-Year-Old McDonald’s Employee Responsible for His Adult Grandkids Can’t Retire – But One Customer Changes Everything