Australia’s Ally Langdon couldn’t hide the sadness bubbling inside when she spoke with a mom and dad, who were forced into the painful decision of taking the life of the young girl whom they had given life to only 13 years before.
The young girl died after falling prey to a viral craze called chroming, and Langdon, also a mom, struggled to hold back her tears.
Appearing on A Current Affair with host Ally Langdon, Andrea and Paul Haynes shared their story of how their 13-year-old daughter Esra Haynes died after following a social media trend called chroming, that involves inhaling toxic chemicals through the mouth or nose to get high.
Referred to as “determined, fun, cheeky and talented” by the Montrose Football Netball Club that she co-captained, Esra was a young athlete who raced BMX bikes with her brothers, and led her team to a national aerobics’ championship in Queensland.
On March 31, Esra went to a friend’s home for a sleepover and, for what would be a fatal high, she sniffed a can of aerosol deodorant and went into cardiac arrest, sustaining irreparable brain damage.
“It was just the regular routine of going to hang out with her mates,” her mom Andrea, told Langdon in the interview. Her father Paul added, “We always knew where she was and we knew who she was with. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary…To get this phone call at that time of night, (it) was one of the calls no parent ever wants to have to receive, and we unfortunately got that call: ‘Come and get your daughter.’”
Langdon explains that Esra’s friends thought she was having a panic attack, “but after inhaling deodorant, her body was actually starting to shut down, she was in cardiac arrest and no one at the sleepover used cardiac arrest.”
When Andrea arrived at Esra’s side, paramedics were trying to revive Esra and told mom that her daughter had been chroming, something she had never heard of until that moment.
Esra was taken to hospital held onto the hope that their baby girl would recover. After all, her heart and lungs were strong so maybe she would make it through.
After eight days on life support, Paul and Andrea were told that Esra’s brain was damaged “beyond repair and we had to have that decision to turn off the machine.”
Struggling with their words, and reliving their worst day, her parents explained the pain of ending their daughter’s life.
Asked to bring family and friends to the hospital for their final goodbyes, Esra’s dad said: “It was a very, very difficult thing to do to such a young soul. She was put onto a bed so we could lay with her. We cuddled her until the end.”
Overwhelmed by the parent’s heartache, and a mother of two young children, Langdon was unable to contain her emotions and teared up.
After Esra died in early April, Paul says the family is completely “broken,” and Esra’s siblings, Imogen, Seth and Charlie are “shattered.”
“It was really devastating, devastating for everyone involved, all her friends as well,” Paul said. “It’s been the most difficult, traumatic time any parent could go through. We haven’t been sleeping, we’ve hardly been eating, we haven’t been smiling–we’re not ourselves…But it’s not just affected us, it’s the community as well.”
Never having heard of chroming until it killed their daughter, Paul and his wife are on a crusade to bring awareness to the deadly viral craze–easily achieved with store-bought products like deodorant, paint, hairspray or even permanent markers–that’s increasingly popular among teens.
Speaking with a local news station, Paul said he wished he knew of chroming when Esra was still alive, so he could have warned her of the dangers: “If we were educated and the word had been put out there, we would have had the discussion around our kitchen table for sure.”
“We need to ramp it up and let these kids find out the information first-hand, and not through friends, and not through social media–then they’re given the right advice off the bat.”
Paul plans to educate parents, allowing them the opportunity of educating their children, and hopefully saving their lives. their children.
“(Parents) need to sit and have a chat to their children, and just open that conversation up gently with them. We certainly didn’t know what was going on.”
Since 2009, the alarming trend of chroming is responsible for the deaths of multiple children across Australia, and around the world.
Chroming–that can lead to seizures, heart attack, suffocation, sudden sniffing death, coma, and organ failure–is attractive to young people as a method to get an immediate short-term high.
“We’ve got the pictures in our mind which will never be erased, you know, of what we were confronted with,” Paul told Langdon. “Our gut was ripped out.”
We cannot imagine how painful it is for a family to make the decision of taking their young child off life support. Our hearts go out to the Haynes family and to all the loved ones that Esra left behind.
A girl from Slough, Berkshire, was born with a unique facial feature that made her stand out. The attention she got wasn’t pleasant or affirming, leading to her parents choosing a drastic method to correct it
Before Connie Lloyd was born in Slough, Berkshire, a 26-week scan showed an unexplained shadow on her nose. However, when she was welcomed in September 2008, she looked healthy without any apparent issues.
By the time she was a day old, Zara Green and Tom Lloyd noticed that she had a pronounced red mark on the tip of her tiny nose. The couple initially assumed it was a pressure mark left behind from the delivery.
However, two weeks later, the mark had darkened and become lumpy, but they were told it was a common birthmark. When she was a month old, the spot had grown by one and a half inches in diameter
Green recalled how amazed they were when they saw their daughter’s nose and that she looked different, but they still knew it was little Connie. The couple’s general practitioner referred them to the Great Ormond Street Hospital, where they saw a specialist.
Their daughter was diagnosed with a benign tumor called haemangioma. The little girl had to struggle with having a bright red “clown’s nose” – something she didn’t choose – fully evident when she was four weeks old, and the birthmark was growing internally too.
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Green’s daughter found it difficult to look different and only wished to look more like her mother. Her parents didn’t know that without the mark, Connie was destined to grow up to be a gorgeous young girl years later.
How Did Connie’s Looks Change?
Connie endured being teased, taunted, and called names from birth because of her condition. Green dreaded her child being chosen to play Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer in a Christmas play because of Connie’s rare condition that didn’t have a cure.
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The tumor’s growth left her parents “constantly worried” because doctors said she could bleed to death if she cut or grazed the mark. Tom and his partner found treatments that stopped the tumor from growing more prominent, but nothing could eliminate it.
In 2011, Connie became the eighth baby in the United Kingdom (UK) to try using Propranolol to stop the tumor from growing larger. The prescribed medicine was usually used for people who had heart conditions.
When the little girl was 18 months old, she told her mother she didn’t like her nose, which was difficult for Green to hear. The parent wanted to do more for her child, and her daughter’s adverse reactions at preschool eventually pushed her to act.
She and Tom started looking for second opinions and options for removing the birthmark. Connie’s mother noted how the other children in her daughter’s playgroup because curious about her condition and would prod it, which the little girl found “very upsetting.”
During a final class picture, the school photographer even asked Green if they could airbrush out their daughter’s birthmark! The parent found the request offensive because Connie was who she was, and they loved every bit of her.
When the child’s mother realized her daughter would spend all her school years going through that torture, she knew they had to do something soon. She and her partner searched until they found Dr. Iain Hutchison, a surgeon specializing in treating facial disfigurements.
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In March 2011, he operated on little Connie to remove the tumor and left her with a small scar, despite the procedure not being recommended for children under ten. Green confessed that before having surgery, her baby had been shy around people who commented on her nose and pointed to it. The little girl even turned her head because of how self-conscious she was.
Visiting Hutchison was also a nightmare for the family and their child, and her mother would hide her in the car to prevent people from making mean comments. Tom’s partner said waiting for hours for Connie’s surgery to conclude felt like the most extended wait ever.
However, the results were fantastic when the little girl returned, saying her “nose was like her mom’s.” Connie was doing well and had attracted a large group of friends, leaving her parents feeling proud!
However, the student brushed the nasty comments off…
By 2013, Green still wondered what her daughter’s schooling would’ve been like if she hadn’t received the surgery. The parent mulled over whether her child would’ve felt comfortable and if making friends would’ve come easily to her.
What Is Connie’s Life like Today?
By December 2021, Connie was 13 and was working as an advocate to raise awareness for a birthmark charity in the UK, Saving Faces. Her parents were wrongly informed that her mark would fade when she was younger, but it got bigger and darker as she aged.
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Despite the surgery, Green said her daughter was still teased, but she was empowering herself by using her experience to help others. Part of the reason why Connie had the surgery at age two to remove her tumor was that she started struggling to breathe, with her mother stating this about her heroic child:
“If by telling her story, Connie can help just one child or family cope with facial disfigurement, that’ll be the best Christmas present ever.”
As she’s grown, Tom’s daughter shows a surprisingly mature attitude to her scar, despite other children choosing to be unnecessarily cruel. Connie didn’t physically have the red mark anymore, but since we live in the age of the internet, her school friends and other people could still find her childhood pictures online.
Green revealed that even as a teenager, her daughter still had bullies who came up to her and shouted “Rudolph” at school. However, the student brushed the nasty comments off, with her mother saying:
“She owns her scar and is happy and confident just the way she is.”
User comment dated August 21, 2022 | Source: Facebook/Connie Lloyd
She was now putting her focus on raising awareness about birthmarks and raising funds for the charity that was dedicated to the reduction of facial injuries. Connie’s mother revealed that she only wanted everyone to feel loved in the skin they were and equal.
In August 2022, Connie shared a Facebook photo of herself posing in the backseat of a car with sunglasses on and a pout. Her nose scar was barely visible, and one supportive follower described her as “gorgeous.”
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Months later, in December 2022, Green’s daughter uploaded another black-and-white image of herself. In the Facebook post, she wore glasses, a jacket, a shirt, and a tie, and she looked like she was pouting.
The same follower who called her “gorgeous” in her August post used the same word to describe her, and Connie replied with gratitude. Another person used the same word to describe the teenager’s looks, while a third thought the young girl looks “so pretty.”
User comments dated December 13, 2022 | Source: Facebook/Connie Lloyd
In 2011, Green shared how she and her partner had no regrets about getting surgery for their daughter, noting how they “100 percent” knew they wanted to do it for their child. She hoped when their child matured she’d thank them for the operation.
Tom’s partner confessed that they had no idea what would’ve been left of Connie’s nose or how bad the scaring would be, but they considered the risks thoroughly. Seeing their little child in a hospital bed left them distressed, but when they saw the results, they were thrilled.
Green thought her daughter looked like a different child but knew it was little Connie. The parent hoped other mothers knew that treatment was a possibility and encouraged them to go out looking for it.
A cherished childhood photo of Princess Diana, shared by her brother, Charles Spencer, uncovers a remarkable likeness to Princess Charlotte, stirring memories and comparisons among royal followers. The image—a testament to familial bonds and generational echoes—highlights the deep connections within the royal lineage.
In a heartfelt tribute to the past, Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, unveiled a previously unseen snapshot that has captivated the attention of royal enthusiasts. The black and white photograph—a touching memento taken circa 1967—was shared on Instagram last month, prompting people to draw comparisons between Princess Diana and her granddaughter, Princess Charlotte.
The image, which features a young Charles on a swing with Princess Diana beside him and their mother, Frances Shand Kydd—who sadly passed away in 2004 after a prolonged illness—behind them, epitomizes a moment of pure, familial bliss.
Charles’s caption, reminiscing about the days when he was affectionately nicknamed “Buzz” by their late mother, underscores the joy captured in this timeless photograph. This photo has sparked a flurry of reactions from the public, with many noting the striking resemblance between Princess Diana and Princess Charlotte.
Princess Charlotte at the Wimbledon 2023 men’s final in London, England on July 16, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
“Princess Charlotte is the spitting image of Lady Diana. The memory of your wonderful sister lives on,”commented one fan while another stated, “Princess Charlotte looks like Princess Diana 🖤.”
Princess Charlotte at the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in London, England on May 6, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
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The comparisons continued with others expressing, “Wow I see Princess Charlotte in her grandmother here… ❤️,”“Looks like Princess Charlotte!!” and “You can really see Princess Charlotte in Diana in this photo!!” However, despite the consensus, divergent views emerged as well, as seen in one observer’s remark, “Princess Charlotte doesn’t look a thing like Diana […] She looks just like her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.”
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Louis, Princess Catherine and Princess Charlotte during Trooping The Colour in London, England on June 2, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
More than having looks in common, it would appear as though Princess Charlotte, like her late great-grandmother, shares the late Queen’s resilience and tenacity.
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A media outlet reported that the young Princess and her two brothers, Prince George and Prince Louis, have been a beacon of strength and support for their mother, Princess Catherine, amid her battle with cancer.
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The young royal has also been particularly protective over her younger brother Prince Louis, according to Sophie Mirman, founder of a British childrenswear company. This nurturing instinct mirrors that of Princess Charlotte’s late grandmother, who was similarly protective over her younger brother.
Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte at the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in London, England on May 6, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Years ago, Charles, who is married to Karen Spencer, Countess Spencer, revealed his late sister’s desire to protect him, and spoke about how she looked after him when he was a baby and at school recounting, “The first day I was there […] Diana […] came to my classroom and came back and said to the headmistress ‘He’s fine!’ and sat down.”
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From Charles’ childhood recollections to his nostalgic photograph and the similar personalities shared between past and present royals—the enduring spirit of Princess Diana remains a central thread. Her legacy, mirrored in the faces and actions of her descendants, continues to resonate among public spheres.
Princess Diana photographed in Argentina on November 24, 1995 | Source: Getty Images
While many memories shared by Charles Spencer paint a picture of happiness, familial warmth, and closeness, he has also courageously revealed darker stories from his childhood like when he recently opened up about his harrowing experiences of abuse as a child, which he kept hidden for a long time.
Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer speaking at ChinaWeek’s Business Summit VIP Dinner in Los Angeles, California on May 11, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
In a revelation that has sent shockwaves across public spheres, Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer and brother to the late Princess Diana has unearthed a secret that lay buried for more than four decades. The British nobleman—now 59—embarked on a journey of painful introspection which culminated in the release of his memoir, “A Very Private School,” where he confronts the dark shadows of his past.
At the core of Charles’s memoir is a childhood marred by profound trauma. “I was doing a 10-day course of very deep introspection and therapy,” Charles disclosed to a media outlet.
He then went on to reveal, “My therapist said to each of us, ‘Whisper to me one secret you’d never told anyone.’ I whispered to him that I was sexually abused as a child by an adult. And I remember him looking so shocked, and he had heard it all. Afterward, he took me aside and said, ‘This is very serious stuff.” This admission marked the beginning of a long-overdue confrontation with his past.
Charles’s years at Maidwell Hall—an elite English boarding school—were characterized by a culture of brutality and abuse, hidden behind the veneer of privilege and education. The author stated that it was through meeting with former classmates and hearing their equally horrendous accounts of abuse that compelled him to revisit his own trauma.
He recounted the harrowing experiences of fellow pupils, including one who was made to feel worthless and was sexually assaulted multiple times at a very tender age. “I […] said, ‘This is too terrible — I can’t tell this story.’ He reached across, grabbed my arm and said, ‘Somebody has to do it – it’s got to be you.’ That convinced me, the truth needed to be shared with the world,” stated Charles.
His encounters with abuse and corporal punishment at the school form a chilling narrative of his early years. However, as a juxtaposition to the haunting and traumatic experiences, Charles also fondly reflected on the bond he shared with his sister before she passed away.
“She was the closest person to me growing up […] we went everywhere together. We did everything together […] She was an absolutely lovely older sister […] We were allies,” said Charles.
Before the nightmares of boarding school began, the siblings experienced a joyful childhood at Park House. Charles recently took to his Instagram account to share cherished childhood memorabilia (bedroom door nameplates from their family home) which evoked memories of a happier time.
Fans were moved by these tokens with comments reflecting a deep sense of nostalgia and admiration for Princess Diana’s enduring legacy. “Even then Diana was England’s Rose ❤️,”wrote one fan, while another expressed, “This is so deep.” Someone else simply gushed, “Beautiful 😍.”
Other fans recounted their own memories of having similar door name plates in their homes, citing“Children of a certain age all had these. Memories,”“My mum had one on our downstairs guest loo: it said, ‘Our Country Seat.’ Wish I’d kept it, always made me smile!” and “At least one of my children had a nameplate just like that on their bedroom door at home!”
In addition to the photo, Charles also shed light on Princess Diana’s protective nature over him, especially after their mother left their family house. On this, Charles mentioned, “Diana looked after me because she was nearly three years older than me. She said that the worst part was hearing me cry down the hall because she was terrified of the dark and couldn’t come to me.”
Their close relationship also endured the trials of royal life when Princess Diana got married. Charles had strived to keep her grounded amid her newfound fame.
Princess Diana posing for a picture on her wedding day in London, England on July 29, 1981 | Source: Getty Images
Looking back at the tragic death of his sister, Charles previously spoke out about the perilous media attention Princess Diana faced, drawing parallels with the scrutiny faced by modern royals, like Kate Middleton. He reflected on the aftermath of her death as a moment that forced the paparazzi to reckon with their actions, not out of morality, but due to public backlash.
Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer and Princess Diana at the Birthright Red Ball in London, England on November 21, 1985 | Source: Getty Images
This reflection ties back to his personal vendetta against human injustice, a sentiment fueled by his own traumatic experiences at school. Charles’s revelations serve not only as a cathartic release but also as a beacon of hope for those facing similar battles. Through his memoir and public discourse, he underscores the importance of confronting one’s past, no matter how painful, and the possibility of healing and redemption.
Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer at a private viewing of “Vogue 100: A Century of Style” in London, England on February 9, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
As the world reflects on Charles’s courage and the indelible legacy of Princess Diana, it is a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
As previously reported on January 22, 2024, Charles shared a rare throwback photo of Princess Diana and their mother which prompted a flurry of comments from fans who were amazed by the resemblance shared between the late mom and her daughter.
Recently, the son of Lord and Lady Althorp, Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, shared never-seen-before family pictures of his late sister, Princess Diana, and late mother, Frances Shand Kydd. The post showed a baby Princess Diana being lovingly cradled by their mom.
Charles’ caption detailed that his post was a tribute to what would have been Frances’ 88th birthday. As soon as the public became privy to the photos, many were stunned by how much the late Princess of Wales looked like her mother.
Princess Diana and Frances Shand Kydd at Viscount and Viscountess Althorp’s wedding in Great Brington, England on September 16, 1989 | Source: Getty Images
One person noted: “Wow, Diana looks like her mum & I see Charlotte resembles her as well.” Another complimented: “She was very beautiful. Diana [looked so] much like her.”
Similarly, another Instagrammer said: “Beautiful…🔥❤️ and Princess Diana looks like her.” Someone else swooned: “Awww 🥰 baby Diana 💕.”
Frances Shand Kydd and Princess Diana at the Men’s Singles Wimbledon Tennis Final on July 04, 1993 | Source: Getty Images
Princess Diana’s brother’s post comes five years after he gave an exclusive interview in which he opened up about losing his sister. Charles spoke about sobbing on a plane from London to Cape Town when he learned about his sister’s tragic demise.
Charles Spencer and Princess Diana posing for a picture in 1968. | Source: Getty Images
After being comforted by an air stewardess, Charles recalled how he thought to himself that he needed to be strong so he could deal with the proceedings following her death. On this, he disclosed: “The first thing that needed to be done was to find somebody to write and deliver the eulogy.”
Charles Spencer at the premiere of “Dancing at the Vatican” in London, England on February 5, 2020 | Source: Getty Images
Although he had a book filled with names of people to choose from, Charles said that after reaching the book’s end, he didn’t feel that anyone listed was the right fit. He then said: “I had this awful feeling that it’s gonna have to be me.”
Initially, the grieving older brother put the task off for a few days until he found the will to write the eulogy one very early Wednesday morning, between Princess Diana’s death and her funeral. The eulogy, which Charles said came flowing out naturally, took approximately an hour and a half to construct.
Charles Spencer at the BBC America BAFTA Los Angeles TV Tea Party in Beverly Hills, California on September 16, 2017 | Source: Getty Images
Some other details presented by Charles in his interview included the fact that he had actually read his eulogy to Princess Diana as she lay in her coffin, and he said that somehow he could feel a positive energy radiating from her. He took this as some sort of confirmation that she approved of what he was going to say.
A Texas mother was completely shocked when the poultry she was preparing for dinner separated into stringy pieces of spaghetti.
Explaining pasta was not on the menu that night, the mom shared a social media post that shows the raw chicken she was washing, coming apart in her hands.
“I think it’s that fake meat,” she writes on her now viral Facebook post, that’s inspiring online users to go vegan.Keep reading to learn more about the stringy chicken!
Pregnant dog shows up at couple’s doorstep – a few days later, they have 7 puppies to care forPregnant dog shows up at couple’s doorstep – a few days later, they have 7 puppies to care for
On March 21, Alesia Cooper from Irving, Texas, shared a disturbing photo of a chicken breast protesting its future position on a dinner plate.
The mother of two writes: “I been debating on posting this but since I had to see it so do yall.” The post, which also shows an image of chicken shredding into spaghetti-like strands, continues: “I was cooking my kids dinner a couple of weeks ago and was cleaning my meat like I normally do and when I went back to start cooking it turned into this (SIC).”
Cooper, who shares she purchased the chicken breast from the budget supermarket Aldi, adds: “lol I think it’s that fake meat but I’m not sure anyways…I ain’t made chicken off the bone since.”
Online users jumped into the comments section, offering their opinions on the matter, some suggesting the chicken was 3D printed or grown in a petri dish.
One argues: “That’s lab grown chicken, it’s a new way they make chicken because of the last few years with the bird flu and resource shortages they didn’t have produce so last year they announced that they found a way to make chicken in a lab and that’s what’s in stores now.”
“GMO lab meat,” writes another.
A third decides it’s “fake i don’t buy it anymore.”
Another user offers a more logical explanation to the shredded chicken breast: “It’s not lab-grown meat or 3D printed meat. It comes from real chickens. The problem is when greedy chicken producers force-feed their chickens growth hormones so they grow way too fast.”
Bigger breasts
The Wall Street Journal reports that along with hard, chewy meat called “woody breast,” “spaghetti meat” is allegedly the result of breeding to make big-breasted chickens grow faster.
So, there is more meat per bird and more profit to be made.
“There is proof that these abnormalities are associated with fast-growing birds,” Dr. Massimiliano Petracci, a professor of agriculture and food science at the University of Bologna in Italy, tells the WSJ.
“Woody breast” and “spaghetti meat” might sound unsettling, but eating them won’t hurt you, according to industry experts.
But it will hurt the chickens, whose big bodies are too large for their little legs to hold.
Chubby chickens
Judging by numbers released from the National Chicken Council, broiler chickens – chickens grown for meat – grow a lot faster than in the past. In 2000, the average bird went to market at 47 days old, weighing 5.03 pounds, and in 2023, the average chicken still goes to market at day 47, but now the chubby chickens weigh in at 6.54 pounds.
Comparing these numbers to almost one century ago, broilers took 112 days to grow to a 2.5-pound market weight in 1925.
These changes reflect the increasing demand for white meat over the past century, motivating the industry’s shift to supply chickens with “proportionally larger breasts.”
Dr. Michael Lilburn, a professor at Ohio State University’s Poultry Research Center, tells the Washington Post: “If people keep eating more and more chicken, chickens will probably have to get even bigger…We’ll have to increase the proportion of breast meat in each bird, too.”
“What people don’t realize is that it’s consumer demand that’s forcing the industry to adjust,” Lilburn said of the population’s penchant for chicken nuggets, wings, sandwiches and other cheap chicken products. “It’s a deceivingly small but vocal minority that are raising a lot of legitimate questions. The bulk of the U.S. population still doesn’t care where their food comes from, as long as its cheap.”
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While fast food chains and some grocery stores have, in part, supported the demand for larger breast meat, The New York Times reports that some companies are demanding meat from slow-growth chickens, “contending that giving birds more time to grow before slaughter will give them a healthier, happier life – and produce better-tasting meat.”
‘I’ll go vegan’
Meanwhile, online users are expressing their disgust over the noodled chicken.
One cyber fan asks: “It looks like worms ! What are they feeding us?”
“I got some like that a while ago. It looked like that on the bottom. Things haven’t looked right like when we’re young. A lot fresher,” shares a second.
Other netizens suggested shopping elsewhere: “You’ll get humanely raised and better quality chicken from a local butcher or co-op. I recommend going there instead for your meat.”
No matter how much we’d like to believe our kids are perfect, the stark truth is that none of them are.
Now, I’m not suggesting the majority of parents aren’t doing their jobs – far from it – merely that childhood is a steep learning curve, one in which virtually all participants will make mistakes they’ll look back on and regret.
Perhaps what matters most when such things occur isn’t what has actually happened but rather how said child learns from it and moves on.
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It’s precisely for this reason that we introduce the concept of punishment early: a kid does something wrong and they’re forced to suffer the consequences of said act. It’s teaches them a simple lesson and, hopefully*, they don’t do that same thing again.
Of course, punishments can vary in degrees, ranging from a metaphorical slap on the wrist to methods that the offending child won’t likely forget.
In any case, one dad’s choice for his daughter certainly sits in the latter of those two categories. She was caught making fun of another student at school who had lost all of her hair to chemotherapy. When her dad found out, it’s safe to say he wasn’t impressed.
He decided to take steps to ensure she never did it again. He shaved her head bald, so that she’d know what it felt like to be in her victim’s shoes.
Needless to say, his method of rebuke has drawn plenty of criticism online, but he isn’t phased by any of it. On the contrary, he told CafeMom that he thinks it was a perfectly acceptable reaction.
He also told CafeMom that his daughter is dating the other girl’s ex-boyfriend, which contributed to the drama that played out.
“They were having an argument in class about stupid teenage gossip regarding my daughter’s boyfriend. At some point the other girl mentioned how my daughter’s boyfriend was just using her for sex (this was actually a big shock to me as I had no idea she was sexually active) and called my daughter a slut.
“That’s what escalated the situation and resulted in the wig incident. Supposedly they have been arguing in class ever since my daughter started dating the guy in question. Basically just stupid teenage ‘he said she said’ nonsense.“Not how I’ve raised my daughter to treat people and it truly disgusted me to hear how she acted from her deputy principle. She showed no remorse. She tried to excuse her behavior by saying the girl in question deserved it. Again, I don’t care what she said, that behavior is inexcusable.”
Backlash
The dad is open about the fact that many people – the girl’s mother included – believe he took things too far by forcing her to shave her head.
“I came up with the punishment because I thought my daughter had an extreme lack of empathy for the girl she bullied,” he says.
“My daughter knows this and that is what really disgusted me with her behavior. It demonstrated a complete and utter lack of empathy. I hoped that her going to school bald and walking a mile in the other girl’s shoes would teach her a lesson.”
Children with special needs often just want experiences similar to what any child their age might want. Finding a date for a school dance is a high priority for any 17-year-old, so it can be a tough blow to one’s self-confidence if no one agrees to go with them.
To go alone – though not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things – can be tantamount to social ruin for a teenager; failure to secure a partner can therefore pose a serious threat to self-confidence.
Some kids can be ultra-sensitive and do not yet have the tools they need to understand everything just yet – this applies even more to children with special needs, such as autism.
The father in this story, Mike Larson, decided to write down what happened when his autistic son, Jon, prepared for his high school prom. He then published the whole story on Facebook, where it has now been shared and liked by millions of people.
“This is my son Jon with his prom date Maddi,” wrote Mike in the caption of his prom photo post. “He is a junior and he has autism. About a month ago, Maddi, a senior, came to my office (I’m a teacher at their school) and asked if Jon’s mom and I would allow her to take him to prom.”
Update: I’m reposting to celebrate this post from 6 years ago. Last week it went past 1 million shares. I have received…
Mike continued, “Maddi had gotten to know Jon through a school club that promotes friendships between special needs kids and regular kids. “He’s a junior,” she explained “so it’s his prom too. I just think he should have the chance to go.” I told her we would be honored to have him go with her.”
Not only did Maddi decide to take Jon to her senior prom, but she also wanted him to have the best night ever. She did some investigating and learned about Jon’s favorite color (orange), so she could get a dress in that color. She also booked a table for their group (they doubled with another couple) at the restaurant that served his favorite food – chicken fingers, French fries, and chocolate milk.
Before inviting Jon to the dance, Maddi wanted to ask his father if it would be okay.
“It was a pretty breathtaking moment for me,” Mike Larson told Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
In 2019, he celebrated that the post had reached 1 million shares and that his text had been spread worldwide. He also explained how everyone was doing: “Many have asked how Jon is doing. He is well and happy, still living at home.”
The mystery surrounding Kate Middleton and her health status remained for months. Since her abdominal surgery in January, only minor updates have been made by Kensington Palace, and only Prince William has told some minor details to the public while out on royal duty. Neither King Charles nor Queen Camilla said anything – but last Friday, Kate confirmed that she had received a cancer diagnosis.
The exact details surrounding Kate’s cancer aren’t known, and the palace has said she wants them to remain private. Meanwhile, during Easter, the family spent plenty of time together, as they stayed at Anmer Hall at Sandringham for several weeks.
Kate Middleton received plenty of scrutiny following her Mother’s Day picture, which turned out to have been manipulated. Luckily, one family member has had experience dealing with negative comments from both the media and the public: Queen Camilla. She and Kate Middleton have an extraordinary bond—and earlier this week, the queen finally broke the silence on Kate Middleton for the first time following the cancer diagnosis announcement.
Kate Middleton has cancer. The Princess of Wales decided to share the news a week before Easter through their social media channels, and the world was shocked.
Kate Middleton – cancer diagnosis announcement video
While it, of course, is a severe diagnosis, Kate, when sitting at a bench in the garden at Windsor, reassured fans – just like she did with her children – that she is “going to be ok.”
Kate Middleton’s complete statement read;
I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery.
It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.
In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London, and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team, therefore, advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy, and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.
This, of course, came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.
As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte, and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.
“We now need some time, space, and privacy”
As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body, and spirits.
Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance, too. As is the love, support, and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.
We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space, and privacy while I complete my treatment. My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy, and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now, I must focus on making a full recovery.
At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.
As Kate Middleton revealed, the news became a “huge shock” to her family. Meanwhile, one can only imagine how Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis took the news. The young children – ten-year-old George, eight-year-old Charlotte, and five-year-old Louis – are Prince William and Kate Middleton’s biggest priority and will always be.
As the Princess of Wales is now facing chemotherapy, they want to protect their children as much as they can, and therefore, the fact that the cancer announcement video was released at 6 pm GMT was not a coincidence.
Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu via Getty Images
Exactly when George, Charlotte, and Louis were notified about their mother’s cancer diagnosis is unclear.
How Kate Middleton broke the cancer news to her children
However, according to the Sunday Times, the cancer announcement video was released just a few hours after their children’s school had closed so that they wouldn’t immediately face questions about it from their friends. At that point, they had gotten the news.
“George is ten now and can’t be shielded from any of this now,” a palace source told the Times. “Once it’s at the school gate and in the school playground, he won’t be able to avoid it.”
So, how do you tell your children that you have cancer? One person, King Charles’ former butler Grant Harrold, argues that Prince William and Kate Middleton explained it differently to them.
Speaking with The Post, Harrold, who worked for Charles for seven years when he was the Prince of Wales, said that the couple most likely “sugarcoated” her health issues when they broke the news to Prince Louis.
“I’m sure it was a very difficult and very different conversation between children,” Grant Harrold told the NY Post. “For instance, for Louis, I’m sure the conversation was more sugarcoated than it was with George and Charlotte.”
Samir Hussein/WireImage
The former butler continued, “The older children can understand more, so I’d imagine it was a little more frank but undoubtedly staying positive, which is so important.”
“That’s why when you now look at the picture of Kate with her three children, it brings a tear to your eye. For any mother to have that conversation is huge and you can imagine Charlotte and George are going to be good supports for her.”
Prince William & Kate Middleton escape city life for countryside home
Moreover, Harrold stated that since Louis is only five, it’s fair to assume that the young prince “probably doesn’t understand too much” about his mother’s cancer diagnosis.
“It’s a tricky one. I’m sure the children will be handling it as any kids would be expected to handle it, but I think their parents are very good at being calm and collected, and I think that will rub off on the children,” he told the NY Post.
As the royal children won’t be back in school until April 17, Prince William and Kate Middleton decided to head to Anmer Hall to spend quality time together. Moreover, as it is very close to Sandringham House, where King Charles has recovered after his cancer treatments, it is not a big surprise that the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children have seen the king and Queen Camilla recently.
Queen Camilla has taken on a massive responsibility following King Charles’ cancer treatment, growing into a vital part of the royal family.
It has taken her many years to be accepted by the public, and these days, she is being praised for the way she has handled the very challenging situation with Charles’ cancer and all that comes with it.
Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images
Some weeks ago, royal expert Angela Levin claimed that Queen Camilla is “holding the royal family up.”
Queen Camilla praised for taking on crucial role
“I mean, to wait till you’re 73 is a long time before you can take the crown. I think obviously, at his age, it’s very difficult, but he’s very determined, and he’s only really just started to be king,” Levin said while appearing on GB News. “Supporting him very much, absolutely by his side, is Queen Camilla, who is going to all the engagements that they would have gone to together on her own.”
“And so that way he will feel it’s still moving, it’s still running, and they can discuss it and talk about it. And I think that’s marvelous. I mean, she is holding the Royal Family up and being strong. If you imagine 30 years ago, people were saying the whole Royal Family would absolutely disintegrate, and she would be of no use.”
Levin added that Camilla has revealed she doesn’t like the spotlight. However, she’s become very “accessible” and makes people laugh when meeting members of the public.
“To support her husband. She understands him very well because they’ve been together for over 50 years, before they even got married. it’s a long time and they make each other laugh,” Angela Levin added while appearing on GB News.
Kate MIddleton received massive criticism after she posted her Mother’s Day photo on social media, which turned out to have been manipulated. News agencies pulled the picture from their website, and conspiracy theories surrounding Kate grew.
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The cancer diagnosis announcement video, of course, showed that there was a reason behind her silence. However, arguments have been raised that the fact that she put out a manipulated picture of herself and her children was bad enough.
Any Buchanan – WPA Pool/Getty Images
As Kate Middleton became the subject of much scrutiny after the Mother’s Day picture, Camilla became a crucial support source for the Princess of Wales.
Queen Camilla’s ‘important’ support for Kate Middleton
In an interview with Today, The Telegraph’s associate editor, Camilla Tominey, claimed that the queen “has been trying to help [Catherine] through the media storm aspect in all of this.”
Tominey said, “I think before [Catherine] made the announcement because she was having to cope with the fallout of everything that was said about the Mother’s Day photo and everything else, I think Camilla lent some support.”
“Because let’s be honest, [Camilla] knows what it’s like to have a difficult press. She knows what it’s like to shepherd children through a media storm,” she added.
In February, Prince William made some shorter comments about his wife’s health status. Still, the royal family members have kept very quiet about both Kate and King Charles when getting questions about them in public. However, just days ago, Queen Camilla finally spoke about Kate.
As King Charles canceled several royal duties due to his cancer treatments, Camilla stepped up and took someone herself.
Chris Jackson – Pool/Getty Images
Last week, just before Easter, the queen visited Shrewsbury, where she met many royal fans at a farmer’s market.
Queen Camilla breaks silence on Kate Middleton
There, Camilla, for the first time, spoke about Kate after the cancer diagnosis announcement – when two young girls gave the queen a sign.
It read, “Send our love to Kate,” and was decorated with both hearts and stars, as well as other cute drawings.
Queen Camilla, of course, stayed when she saw the sign.
According to royal expert Rebecca English, she told the young girls, “I know that Catherine is thrilled by all the kind wishes and support.”
Cher and her 38-year-old music producer boyfriend, Alexander “AE” Edwards, recently enjoyed a PDA-packed date night in Los Angeles, California. Their radiant affection speaks volumes, proving that love knows no bounds and age is just a number.
Alexander “AE” Edwards shares a sweet moment with Cher at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards in Dolby Theatre on April 1, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
At the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre, the 77-year-old musician and Alexander displayed their affection openly. In the press room, the young music producer leaned into Cher and planted a sweet kiss on her cheek.
Alexander “AE” Edwards kisses Cher on the cheek at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards on April 1, 2024 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Image
The power couple was dressed impeccably for the occasion, with Alexander looking sharp in a black tuxedo and Cher dazzling in a matching black ensemble, embellished with silver and crystals.
Alexander “AE” Edwards and Cher pose together at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards on April 1, 2024, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Aside from the iHeart event, the couple also attended the Equal Justice Now Awards at Los Angeles Airport Marriott in matching suits, mingling with other notable guests and continuing to share joyous moments. This series of events is just the latest in their public outings this year.
In February, the lovebirds made a joint appearance at Warner Music Group’s event at Citizen News Hollywood, following the group’s pre-Grammy party. Cher effortlessly paired her faded black jeans, adorned with rhinestones, with a chic velvet bolero jacket while Edwards mirrored her style in a sleek black overcoat.
Cher and Alexander “AE” Edwards grace the Warner Music Group Pre-Grammy Party at Citizen News Hollywood on February 1, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Cher’s night out with her boyfriend came after she lost her bid to become her son Elijah Blue Allman’s conservator. The judge overseeing their case ruled against an immediate conservatorship.
Cher and her son Elijah Blue Allman attend the premiere of “Blow” at Mann’s Chinese Theatre on March 29, 2024, in Westwood, California. | Source: Getty Image
Elijah, Cher’s son with the late musician Gregg Allman, has admitted to past mental health and substance abuse challenges but has assured that he is actively seeking treatment and attending support group meetings.
Elijah Blue Allman and Cher attend the 5th Annual Fire and Ice Ball to benefit Revlon UCLA Women Cancer Center on December 7, 1994, at the 20th Century Fox Studios in Century City, California. | Source: Getty Images
Despite personal challenges, Cher’s romantic life with Alexander remains a source of happiness and support. Cher said, “If you have happiness, you can’t think about how long it’s going to last. You have to think about ‘How does it feel?’ and live in the moment.”
Alexander “AE” Edwards and Cher attend the Versace FW23 Show at Pacific Design Center on March 9, 2023, in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
As reported in January 2024, Cher has spent much of her life pushing the boundaries of what society considers acceptable. Cher has often done things her way, from outfits to songs and opinions. This behavior also extended to her relationships.
Cher posted a photo on X of her straddling Alexander as she tipped his chin up so he could look at her. She captioned the post, “Love is Love.” However, some fans didn’t see it that way.
Her most recent relationship with rapper Alexander Edwards has sent tongues wagging because of the significant age gap. Cher’s most recent post with Alexander has confused fans even further.
Cher and Alexander Edwards at Paris Fashion Week – Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 | Source: Getty Images
One fan was confused as they thought Alexander was Kyle Kuzma, a basketball player. Another fan thought Cher was country singer Dolly Parton. Other fans began asking questions, like why Alexander didn’t post Cher on his social media.
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Another fan was concerned that Cher appeared to cry and said she should be happy she was in love. The same fan wondered if they might be tears of joy that Cher was crying.
Cher and Alexander Edwards attend the Givenchy Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show during Paris Fashion Week on September 28, 2023, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
Many fans supported Cher and her relationship, with one saying Cher should be happy and that love had no color, size, or shape. Another felt that everyone deserved to enjoy love. One more fan remarked that both Alexander and Cher looked great. One fan was confused as they thought they remembered Cher saying she and Alexander had broken up.
Cher and Alexander Edwards at Paris Fashion Week – Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 | Source: Getty Images
However, there was no confirmation on whether or not the couple broke up. Yet Cher was skeptical about their relationship at first, telling Alexander that they would never work out. Regarding their relationship in December 2022, Cher called it “kind of ridiculous” on paper but said they got along well and were happy.
Cher and Alexander Edwards are seen on November 2, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Before Alexander entered her life, Cher had experienced several high-profile relationships. Alongside her marriages to Gregg Allman and Sonny Bono, Cher also had a connection with actor Tom Cruise in the mid-1980s.
Cher and Tom, who was a young actor at the time, first met at Madonna’s wedding in 1985. In later years, Cher fondly recalled Tom as one of her “top-five” lovers, describing him as a wonderful but shy young man who didn’t have much money.
For the vast majority of us, trips to the airport can be at best a tedious experience. So often they’re crowded places, full of people hurrying to one place or another, or else sitting for long stretches with very little to do except cast the occasional glance at the departure board.
Author and public speaker Kevin Armentrout might have expected such frustrations while at the airport recently with his 16-month-old daughter. His experience, however, proved to be one so memorable that he had to share it with the world.
The long and short of Armentrout’s story surrounds his toddler Carter Jean and an unlikely acquaintance she made by the name of Joseph Wright …
Joseph Wright is a sales manager from Oklahoma, but it turns out he has a heart of gold to boot.
He struck up a friendship with 16-month-old Carter Jean Armentrout that left her father Kevin overloaded with emotion.
“Last night, while waiting to board our plane, [Carter Jean] was being her usual inquisitive self wanting to meet and say ‘hi’ to everyone she could, until she walked up on this man,” he wrote.
“He reached out and asked if she wanted to sit with him. He pulled out his tablet and showed her how to draw with it, they watched cartoons together, and she offered him snacks. This wasn’t a short little exchange, this was 45 minutes. Watching them in that moment, I couldn’t help but think, different genders, different races, different generations, and the best of friends. This is the world I want for her.
“In a country that is continuously fed that it’s so deeply divided by beliefs, I want her life to be filled with moments like this… not liberal or conservative republican or democrat, socialist or capitalist, just HUMAN.”
What’s more, Armentrout admitted in an interview with Yahoo Lifestyle that Jospeh had shown an endearing patience with his daughter.
“There were a few moments she screamed and tried to get into his work calendar, but he couldn’t care less,” he said.
Fortunately, Armentrout’s post was able to find its way to Joseph’s friends, who were left unsurprised by the sentiment.
All told, Kevin’s post has garnered 386,000 likes at the time of writing, as well as more than 153,000 shares.
Joseph Wright, we salute you! If only more people took the time out of their days to connect with their fellow human beings!
When a man and a teenage girl boarded a flight from Seattle to San Francisco, Alaska Airline flight attendant Shelia Frederick was suspicious.
The man was smartly dressed while the girl wasn’t and she refused to make eye contact with anyone.
While doing her job aboard the plane, Shelia could not stop wondering about the girl and eventually hatched an ingenious plan that took real courage. Courage that meant this young girl was saved from a dangerous situation.
Shelia couldn’t ignore the girl and desperately tried to make eye contact while she served snacks on board the flight.
She conveyed her suspicions to a colleague and the two worked together to distract the man while Shelia tried to get the girl’s attention.
“She finally looked up and the look in her eye was just heartbreaking, so I excused myself to go to the back and I just broke down,” Shelia said in an interview on Good Morning Britain
She hatched an ingenious plan whereby she put a piece of paper and pencil in one of the plane’s bathroom and then locked it with the aim of unlocking it only for the girl
While her colleague had the man’s attention Shelia mouthed bathroom then mimed writing. She then waited and hoped the girl understood.
Left a piece of paper and pen in the bathroom
Thankfully the girl excused herself to use the bathroom. The man stayed with her outside the bathroom but Shelia refused to leave the area, keeping a close watch on the man.
“I left a note in one of the bathrooms,” Shelia said. “She wrote back on the note and said, ‘I need help.’”
Shelia alerted the pilot who contacted ground control to organize for authorities to stop the man on landing
Hear the full story from the hero flight attendant herself in the clip below.
Shelia kept in touch with the young woman she saved from human trafficking and the two have spoken a few times over the years. The young woman is even attending college, according to the Western Journal.
“If you see something, say something,” Shelia informs others.
