Where The Heart Is

Apr13

You’d think that after 13 years in news, I’d have built up an immunity to some of the emotional stories we share every night.

Not so much.

When we showed our viewers the Honor Flight late last month allowing 460 Korean War veterans to visit their memorial in Washington DC, I almost lost it ON AIR. I was overwhelmed seeing these brave men seeing the gratitude and appreciation they deserved for fighting for our country. For so long, they had been forgotten; not anymore. As their tears flowed, so did mine.

Watch KETV’s story on the Korean War Honor Flight, from photojournalist Andrew Ozaki

I’m not alone. One of the young women competing in the Miss Nebraska pageant this summer has made it her mission to recognize our heroes.

Miss Heartland, Allison Tietjen

Allison was one of the volunteers who not only raised money for the Honor Flight, she accompanied them as a guardian.

“It gave me a much greater understanding of the incredible sacrifices these men and women have given and the little recognition they got in return,” Allison told me. “As Miss Nebraska, I want to encourage schools and youth organizations to raise money so another Honor Flight can happen.”

Allison accompanying Nebraska veterans during March’s Honor Flight to Washington DC

To promote her ‘United We Stand: Remembering Our Heroes’ platform, Allison has also spoken at local women’s clubs, school organizations and Girl Scout troops. She’s done all of this in addition to her senior year schedule at Thayer Central High School, where she was crowned Homecoming Queen the same month she was named Miss Heartland.

“I completely understand why girls participate in the Miss Nebraska/America organization,” said Allison. “Yes, the scholarships are wonderful, but the experiences and memories you take away from the service work you do are beyond any scholarship.”

These appearances have also given Allison an opportunity to showcase her favorite part of the competition.

“Who doesn’t love walking on stage in a swimsuit?! I am joking,” Allison said. “I started playing piano at a young age and have loved it ever since! In the past, I have always worked on playing for church, so playing more upbeat songs for pageants has been a blast. Almost every group or organization I speak to as Miss Heartland asks me to play for them, and I never turn down an opportunity.”

From Chester, Nebraska.. to Washington DC.. to North Platte.

Allison has already had quite the journey. There’s still room in her heart for more.

Connect with Miss Heartland, Allison Tietjen

on Twitter and on Instagram

***

The Miss Nebraska pageant takes place June 5-7 in North Platte, Nebraska. For more information, visit the Miss Nebraska website.

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PREVIOUS POST.. Miss Gering, Alexis Smith!

NEXT POST…. Miss Omaha, Payton Merritt!

Just A Small Town Girl

Apr10

Ah, how I love Journey. C’mon, you know the words…

‘Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world. She took the midnight train goin’ anywhere.’

<<Great, now it will be stuck in my head all day>>

The next contestant in the 2014 Miss Nebraska class might not even know who Journey is, as this song was released the year I was born.. a good 14 years before she was.

<<Ouch>>

Miss Gering, Alexis Smith

“While I know and recognize that I’m young, I do believe I can share positive vibes with anyone,” Alexis told me recently. “I truly do believe that there is no action taken without a reason. Some people just need an ear to listen to their reason. As Miss Nebraska, I can share my stories and listen to others.”

Here’s part of Alexis’s story.

DIVERSE, POSITIVE, COMMITTED

Alexis, a high school senior from Morrill, Nebraska, plans to move to Utah in the fall to study pre-med at Utah State University.

“I love to be involved in everything I can,” said Alexis. “I never like to sign myself in for something if I cannot do it well or finish it.”

Alexis’s latest endeavor was to compete for the title of Miss Gering. She won.

“I got involved in Miss Nebraska to better myself in more ways than one,” said Alexis. “I have always been able to get on stage and dance from my 17 years of competitive dancing, but I’ve never been one for speaking on stage. Being Miss Gering 2014 has helped amazingly.”

Alexis now says Interview, which accounts for 25% of a contestants score, is her favorite part of competition. It’s also an opportunity for her to discuss something she is passionate about, agriculture education.

“I chose my platform because I find that the farmers in America do not get the respect or appreciation they should receive for all the work they do,” said Alexis.

Speaking of work, Alexis is busy. In addition to studies at Mitchell High, she’s enjoying her new responsibilities as Miss Gering.

“My favorite part of being a titleholder is the ability to be a role model for youth,” said Alexis. “My least favorite part is dieting. I love food! So sometimes it can be a bit difficult for me to fully commit to!”

THERE SHE IS

Still, Alexis believes the dreaded ‘swimsuit competition’ (officially called Lifestyle and Fitness) should remain part of the Miss Nebraska and Miss America programs.

“While it is always a plus to be physically fit, swimwear is more a component of showing someone’s confidence in herself!” said Alexis. “More girls need to love themselves; we are all so beautiful! Yes, swimwear should be involved to show more girls to work for what they want to look like and love how they look already.”

It’s going to be a busy next few months for this small town girl. Finals, high school graduation and preparations to compete for her state’s crown as Miss Nebraska.

I think it’s a pretty safe bet all 925 people in the village of Morrill in Nebraska’s panhandle will be cheering on this beauty come June! And maybe, just maybe, singing Don’t Stop Believin’ on the road trip to North Platte.

Connect with Miss Gering, Alexis Smith

by email: alexismikellesmith1995@gmail.com

Click here for more information about the Miss Gering/Miss Western Nebraska pageant.

***

The Miss Nebraska pageant takes place June 5-7 in North Platte, Nebraska. For more information, visit the Miss Nebraska website.

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PREVIOUS POST.. Miss High Plains, Megan Dimmitt

NEXT POST…. Miss Heartland, Allison Tietjen!

Flying High

Apr9

I do not have adequate words for how awesome this is. Thank you, Brittany Hannema, for sharing it!

We don’t have to compete with anyone. Simply by being the best people we can be individually, we create an amazing world together.

So, think of the Miss Nebraska pageant like the state’s most beautiful garden of flowers.

The Miss Nebraska Class of 2014

(photo courtesy Miss Nebraska 2013 JaCee Pilkington)

As promised, this post kicks off a series of features showcasing each of the fantastic young women participating in the Miss Nebraska pageant in June.

***

Miss High Plains, Megan Dimmitt

I first met Megan a few years ago when I was asked to judge the Miss Omaha pageant; Megan was a contestant. I was blown away by her wit, intelligence and down-to-earth personality. I’ve kept in touch with Megan ever since, and if there’s one thing that stands out to me, it’s her level of service. Megan has raised an unprecedented $10,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network, and spends hours each week volunteering in addition to work and time studying as a graduate student at UNO.

“I have always been very involved in volunteer work in my community,” Megan recently told me. “Once I became a titleholder, I realized that the volunteer work that I was doing before could be elevated to a much higher level.”

Megan’s ‘Tea With the Queen’ fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network. Megan is a weekly staff volunteer at Children’s Hospital in Omaha.

TRUE GRIT, MAXIMIZER, PROBLEM SOLVER

“I make the most out of my time and energy and always give 110%,” said Megan. “I make no excuses and always work past any challenge that comes my way.”

One of those challenges for Dimmitt used to the be the Lifestyle and Fitness portion of the pageant.. aka the dreaded Swimsuit Competition. <cue scary music>>

“I have battled with my weight for a long time; I was about 60 pounds overweight as a young teen,” said Megan. “When I first started competing in pageants, I was solely focused on being as small as I could be. As time went on, I realized training in that way was not working for me, so I took a different approach. I started body building. This year, instead of losing weight, I’ve put on twenty pounds of lean muscle mass. I have worked so hard with my nutrition and strength training program and I cannot wait to show that to the judges and audience come June.”

Watch Megan’s workout!

A BELIEF IN HAPPY ENDINGS

Megan’s personal journey with self image and transformation was the inspiration for her mission of service with the Miss America system, a platform she calls Believe in Happy Endings – Goal Setting For The Future. She credits a basketball coach who helped her confront weight issues by keeping a fitness journal and setting goals.

“In time, I became healthy, my grades were back on track and I had regained the stability that I had lost,” said Megan. She now mentors kids in an at-risk after-school program, encouraging them to not only identify goals, but to create timelines and complete steps to achieve them. Her ultimate goal is to earn her doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology and open her own practice.

THERE SHE IS..

I am asking each of the Miss Nebraska contestants why you, my readers (and THANK YOU for reading!!) should care about what they are doing. Why you should follow Miss Nebraska? Why is Miss America still relevant in 2014??

“This teaches young women to set goals for themselves, learn the art of public speaking and the importance of selflessly serving others in need,” answered Megan. “We learn all of these important lessons, while earning scholarship money for ourselves. I graduated debt free from Chadron State College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice just because of the scholarship money I received from this amazing organization.”

Connect with Miss High Plains, Megan Dimmitt

on Facebook, Instagram or by email: megdimmitt@yahoo.com

***

The Miss Nebraska pageant takes place June 5-7 in North Platte, Nebraska. For more information, visit the Miss Nebraska website.

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NEXT POST…. Miss Gering, Alexis Smith!

There She Is..

Feb4

Saturday night, I was anxiously checking my Twitter feed every few minutes for updates. Not for a game, not for breaking news.. just for two names.

I wanted to see who won the titles of Miss Metro and Miss Eastern Nebraska; to see which two young ladies would round out the field of 19 to compete at the Miss Nebraska pageant in June.

Did I lose you? Are you shaking your head saying, ‘c’mon Brandi.. really? Pageants?!?’

Yes, Miss Nebraska. I LOVE IT. And here are three gorgeous reasons you should, too.

Brittany Jeffers, Miss Nebraska 2009, now Anchor/Reporter at Fox23 in Tulsa, OK

Brook Matthews-Hudson, Miss Nebraska 2004, now Producer of Omaha Fashion Week

Our own Alex Hoffman, Miss South Dakota 2008, now KETV First News Anchor

These are only three examples of the fantastic young women who have participated in the Miss America program. Women who are beautiful inside and out. Women who have amazing talents. Women who give of themselves to help others around them. Women who are articulate, intelligent and confident.

Why is it so bad to recognize these things?!? Aren’t these the attributes we all wish we could have? Aren’t these the qualities we hope our children pick up on and someday emulate themselves?

We applaud athletes, recognize actors, respect leaders. The women who participate in this system represent so many of those things. Think The Apprentice meets The Voice meets The Biggest Loser, all on the red carpet. What’s more, the program gives BACK to them, recognizing those accomplishments with scholarships for colleges and careers.

Of course, there are the ‘girly-girl’ parts of the pageant that I love.. who doesn’t love getting dressed up and feeling BEAUTIFUL?? Yes, there’s also the always controversial swimsuit competition–but as a former contestant myself, I have never been in better shape in my life than when I had motivation through Miss Nebraska to eat healthy and get myself to the gym.

I invite you to check out my blog over the next few months as I introduce you to this year’s Miss Nebraska contestants. You’ll meet Miss Omaha Payton Merritt, the recent high school graduate who sings with the soul of 10 lifetimes. (She gives me chills!!!) You’ll meet Miss Crane Festival Lianna Prill, one of the distinguished recipients of a DJ’s Hero Award last year for her work with Celiac Disease. You’ll meet Miss High Plains Megan Dimmitt, who has raised more than any other young woman in Miss Nebraska history, $8,400, all for the Children’s Miracle Network.

These young women are incredible. They are the ‘cream of the crop’ in their college classes, often excel in their talent of choice, and have donated hundreds of hours to dozens of charities. They inspire me to smile a little more and try a little harder. They truly have glitter in their blood 🙂

There is so much bad in the world. certainly see that day in and day out working in news. These women represent so much good, so much beauty. If that beauty is showcased in a pageant, so be it.

I hope you follow their journeys with me!

GOOD LUCK, LADIES! And remember..

Thanks to Miss Nebraska Director Amy Engel for sharing

***

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Miss Nebraska contestants, starting with Miss High Plains, Megan Dimmitt!

Hi, I’m Miranda Baby Weight

Dec10

This is Miranda Kerr.

This is Miranda Kerr a few months after having her baby.

This is how I feel about Miranda Kerr.

Ohhhhh, baby weight. How I loathe thee.

There is an amazing new book out, written right here in Omaha, called ‘It’s Really 10 Months.’ It’s a compilation of emails sent between three friends while they were all expecting babies, and showcases the less than glamorous side of pregnancy that never seems to make the Carter’s commercials. You can check out the book and the moms’ blog online. I knew I would love this book when I read:

“Delivering the Truth…In What to Expect When You’re Expecting, it is recommended that the average woman gain between 25 and 35 pounds. We found this statement slightly amusing as collectively we gained 150 pounds.”

I’m not going to reveal how much weight I gained with either of my boys, but let’s say I let out a ‘Hallelujah!’ in my kitchen when I read that.

So now that my sweet little baby is a few months old, it’s time to get to work. Hello, MyFitnessPal and MapMyWalk apps! Time to put Blurred Lines on repeat and hit the walking trails (yes, I still love that song.) Adrian and Rob, when you see me inhaling Reeses Pieces at my desk, just rip that beautiful orange bag out of my hand!! I have this vision in my head of how I look that isn’t THAT far off how I USED to look.. then I catch a glimpse of myself during our newscasts or in photos and get the ‘Miranda Kerr Angry Face’ again.

I’m not writing all of this to solicit complimentary messages and comments–THANK YOU for what you have all sent, you are amazing and always, ALWAYS, brighten my day 🙂 But I guess, it’s just to commiserate with anyone else out there who doesn’t feel like the best version of themselves. So let’s make a pact. Ladies (and gents!) are you with me?!? To anyone who want a change.. to the brides hoping to look their best.. to the new mommies out there, just like me, LET’S DO THIS!

Here’s a great article tweeted by the Nebraska Medical Center today titled ’12 Reasons you’re Not Losing Weight’–definitely food for thought!

***

If I Could Be Like Mike

Sep8

Remember the commercials? The jingle? “I wanna be, I wanna be like Mi-ike!”

(Clearly, I am a child of the 80’s)

Why did we idolize Michael Jordan? Other than the fact he was arguably the best basketball player of all time..

As my boys grow up, I know they’ll have any number of role models they admire and want to be just like. It’s easy to look up to amazing athletes, superstar celebrities, and the rich and powerful. There are qualities that don’t always get the same attention that are, in my opinion, so important, so valued, so WONDERFUL, and if a few more people tried to showcase those attributes, this world could be such a better place.

I’m blessed to work with a few people who showcase those qualities every, single day.

Melissa Fry

Stunning. HILARIOUS. Beautiful on the inside and out. And so very, very kind.

Melissa Fry is ONE-OF-A-KIND. This girl is the life of the party in our newsroom and when we are out having fun together. You can turn to her for anything–an ear to listen, a caring friend, a person who will always make you laugh. She is as down to earth as they come, despite the fact she could model in New York or LA.. she’s that gorgeous.

Here’s what you may not know about Melissa–she is one of the HARDEST WORKING PEOPLE I know. She was an intern here at KETV just like me, and applied here 8 different times before she was hired. She was DETERMINED to work hard and keep trying to return to her hometown. That drive and passion earned Melissa a spot in our 5pm newscast–in addition to reporting everyday and landing some of the biggest interviews in Omaha news. She’ll come in early to shoot an interview. She’ll stay late. She’s worked just about every shift we have here at KETV. And through it all, SHE NEVER, EVER COMPLAINS. This is the kind of work ethic you want your kids to have. She’s the kind of coworker you want on your team. She’s the friend you want in your corner. I’m so lucky I’ve got her in mine 🙂

Jeremy Maskel

Melissa and Jeremy sit in the same corner of our newsroom. Maybe that’s it.. an aura of AWESOME that circles that area.. because Jeremy is also in a whole different league when it comes to genuinely amazing people.

This guy goes out of his way to be nice to people. And he truly means it!! My son used to LOVE watching Jeremy on weekend mornings (before Team Umi-Zoomi and Paw Patrol beat him out..) and I truly think it was because he emits this positive energy that is just contagious. I wish we could bottle it and sell it as a perfume or something just to make everyone a little happier in the world.

Jeremy makes me want to be a better person. THAT is one of the qualities I hope my kiddos pick up on.. what a positive impact you can have on others when you smile, treat people kindly, and truly care.

And did I mention that he’s one of the best reporters we have here at KETV? Brilliant out in the field, an incredible writer, a true team player. Jeremy was just promoted to our weekend evening anchor position, and I couldn’t be happier for him–AWESOME.

I could go on and on about our people here at KETV..

Directors Tom Rock and Matt Brown

Photojournalist Dave Hynek

Our sports team, Andy Kendeigh and Thor Tripp

They’re just awesome people to be around. They make our team better. They make you want to run faster and jump higher, just like Mike.

Why am I telling you all this? Why did I devote an entire blog post to KETV shout-outs?

Because Thursday I got my first snarky message from a viewer since I returned from maternity leave. I’ve certainly received them before, and I’ll absolutely receive them again. Still, it stings-even if for just a second. And that stinks–that you can be surrounded by so much good, and yet it’s the bad that seems to reverberate. So this blog is just as much for me as it is for my readers (and THANK YOU for reading, by the way!!)

A reminder to all of us.. we are surrounded by ‘Mikes’. And I’m so thankful for that.

***

You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello

Aug27

I’m BAAAA-AAAACK!

(That was meant to sound scary.. like Carol Anne’s warning on Poltergeist..)

WOW.. the last 12 weeks have certainly flown by! For any of you wondering ‘where the heck did that crazy blonde go?!?’ my husband and I welcomed our son, Evan, at the beginning of the summer. I am now back in the Newsplex after a wonderful maternity leave at home with our sweet boys 🙂

Thank you so much to EVERYONE who sent us messages of well wishes! I’m slowly trying to respond to everyone, but it’s hard to focus when you’re looking at a face this cute! 🙂

While I was gone.. something happened here at KETV.. everyone disappeared!! Our team has lost some incredible journalists in the last few weeks. We’ve also welcomed some new fantastic reporters, people I am excited to get to know better and I hope you tune in to see on KETV every night! Still, I really want to share a little bit about each of the journalists and friends we’ve said goodbye to this summer.

Ryan Luby

Luby was my ‘desk buddy’.. he sat next to me here in the newsroom and we often worked the same shift. My heart sank when I found out he was leaving KETV.

I can’t say enough about this guy’s talent. Luby is ambitious, well-spoken, confident, and DEDICATED–so very dedicated to this thing we call journalism. You will be hard-pressed to find a guy who cares more about our business and the stories he brings his audience. The sky is the limit for Luby–I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in New York or DC in a few years if that’s where he wants to be. Right now, he’s setting up shop as the newest investigative reporter at KOB-TV in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They are so very lucky to have him on their team because he is not only a fantastic journalist, he’s an incredible guy who ALWAYS made me laugh and who truly cares about the people around him. Lubes–I MISS YOU SO MUCH ALREADY!

Nichole Berlie

The first thing I want to say about Nichole is pretty obvious… GORGEOUS. Just stunning.. inside and out 🙂

I LOVED hearing ‘BP!’ when we’d bump into each other at a station shower or party, and I wish we could have worked together more! (John Oakey and those First Newsers kept her awesomeness all to themselves on the morning shift 🙂 Nichole is just a natural–a wonderful presence on air who makes anchoring the news look easy. Both times I was out on maternity leave, I woke up to John and Nichole every single morning–and looked forward to it!! She’s just such a kind, beautiful person–and it truly shows 🙂 If you need any more proof.. check out her send-off on First News.

Nichole is heading to KSDK (News Channel 5) in St. Louis to be a morning anchor/reporter. She is truly, truly missed by all of her coworkers here at KETV.

Natalie Glucklich

Another heartbreaking loss for me 😦 I ADORE Miss Natalie.. hands down one of the kindest, coolest people you could ever hope to meet. And again.. STUNNING. Just an absolute BEAUTY with a face made for TV and talent that makes her one of the best. I LOVE watching Natalie’s work–her writing is so creative it just pulls you in and takes you along for the ride. She lets people and their stories shine in her work, and here at KETV you could tell just in how she delivered the news that she truly cared.

Off camera.. Natalie’s aura–her style, the way about her, her kindness–just leaves you in awe. She’s just AWESOME, no other way to say it. Natalie has gone back to her home state of Oregon, hired as the main anchor at KOBI-TV in Medford. I know Miss Natalie will ROCK her new gig and will love being closer to her family and to her beloved ocean, but I MISS HER DEARLY .Natalie.. it’s very lonely knowing I’m destroying the ozone alone here at KETV with my Redken-23 🙂

Todd and I go WAAAAY back.. even playing basketball after school with my husband when they were in junior high together in Millard 🙂 Todd and I first met through Omaha news legend and UNL professor Trina Creighton.. she paired us up together for a mock newscast back in 2003. I was one of her students, Todd was one of her Master’s program classmates at UNO. This is another person that was put on earth made for TV–between the Brokaw-esque voice, the intelligence and the awesome hair, Todd was meant to be a TV News Anchor 🙂 From Star City News, to First News Weekend, to an occasional evening newscast, Todd and I anchored together for several years here in Omaha. He is truly a man of honor and a gentleman.

Todd is taking on an entirely different type of journey than Ryan, Nichole and Natalie–he is the new Communications Director for Omaha Public Schools. A HUGE responsibility, and a role that Todd will no doubt excel in. OPS–you’re in great hands!! Todd, we miss you but know we’ll probably talk to you soon.. a lot.. and often 🙂

***

The KETV Newsroom is a different place now than it was when I left back at the end of May. I miss those smiling faces–I miss the inside jokes, the laughs here in the ‘plex, and the good times outside the newsroom. BEST OF LUCK to each of you, my friends. I wish you all the best–you will always have a place in KETV history 🙂

I end with a funny goodbye… Natalie, this one’s for you 🙂

It’s Personal

Apr28

As journalists, we are ALWAYS searching for stories. Everywhere we go, we subconsciously keep our eyes and ears open. So it may come as no surprise that once in awhile, we come across amazing stories from the people we know ourselves.

Longtime KETV producer and friend, Jennifer Shatel and her family

Jennifer Shatel was a much-respected producer at KETV when I got my first internship. From the beginning, she was kind to me, included me in newsroom conversations, and gave me chances to write scripts and learn as much as I could. When I started reporting on-air, Jennifer was always very patient, yet always gave me constructive criticism to get better. When breaking news happened, or when a story fell through (or came up!) at the last minute, she was a model of control and made her newscasts look phenomenal, no matter what was going on behind the scenes 🙂 She’s continued to send me emails about my stories or well wishes throughout the years, even since she’s left KETV–you never forget kindness like that, especially from someone you so respect.

I was among the many here at KETV who were stunned and saddened to hear Jennifer had been diagnosed with breast cancer. No matter what stage, what the prognosis, you hear a friend has cancer and it SHAKES YOU. It was actually Jennifer’s idea to do a story.. to follow along on her journey and show others the decisions that are involved and the factors that play into those decisions. I’m IN AWE of Jennifer for allowing us to do this–to allow cameras and all of Omaha (and beyond) into such a private journey. She did–and I was honored to share Jennifer’s story last Thursday night.

You can watch it here.

If you’re a woman who has been through the same journey, hopefully hers is something YOU can relate to. If you were recently diagnosed, hopefully Jennifer’s fight has given you the hope or inspiration you need to keep going. If you know of someone who’s been through cancer, this is a great perspective as to what they might be going through. A story we get to hear, thanks to one woman’s courage to tell it. THANK YOU, JEN!

One week ago tonight, we shared another story that again I had a personal connection to. April is Autism Awareness Month; autism is a disorder I have a strong passion for dating back many years. As a teenager, I became very close to a family touched by autism. As a college student, Autism Awareness was my volunteer platform while I competed in the Miss Nebraska system. I met so many families and kiddos battling this horrible thing.. and all of these years later, we still know so little about this horrible disorder. We do know the numbers continue to skyrocket.. now ONE IN 50 according to the CDC. 1 IN 50!!

Every April, I try to find a story to spread awareness of autism. A family with twin girls; one autistic, one not on the spectrum. An AMAZING young woman, graduating with honors, friends and dreams, showing everyone she can do anything she wants despite her diagnosis. Omaha’s Robertson family, noted philanthropists, who have donated so much of their time and money to help families just like theirs (they have two sons with autism).

Hagen Schaefer, 4, Soccer Superstar!

This year, a beautiful mother named Ashley Schaefer contacted me about her son, Hagen. She wanted to get the word out about the treatment that has given them so much hope, and given Hagen a new life in his parents’ eyes. The Schaefers have greatly decreased certain processed foods and sugars from Hagen’s diet, and are also trying chiropractic work, all part of the DAN approach, Defeat Autism Now.

Watch Hagen’s story here

Watch the Schaefer’s story and see what you think! They’ll be the first to tell you, many people have had negative reactions about what they are doing, and as always, we present both sides in the story and let you form your own opinion. My hope is that for any parent of an autistic child SEARCHING for answers, here is one more suggestion that seems to be working wonders for this little boy in Fremont. A little boy who recently played in his very first soccer game. His mom Ashley told me, ‘this is one more thing we were told he’d never be able to do!’ And just look at how happy he is out on that field 🙂

***

Finally, a story I hope you tune in for tonight or watch on ketv.com sometime this week. A few months ago, my husband forwarded me an email from a friend of his, promoting a golf tournament to raise money and awareness for cystic fibrosis. I don’t know this friend well, but I was touched by his story; he and his wife are raising not one, but two beautiful girls with cystic fibrosis.

Presley, 17 months, Noah, 5, and Alexa, 7

If you’re a parent, you know how HARD it is to watch your child go through any illness. You’d trade places with them in an instant so they wouldn’t have to feel any pain or discomfort. For the Halls, treatments help and research is promising, but there is no cure for this horrible disease affecting Alexa, 7 and Presley, just 17-months.

Alexa is an absolute SWEETHEART. She is a very bright little girl; she let me interview her and her answers were very clear and well thought out–not always the case for a first grader! Her sister, Presley, is A DOLL. The epitome of CUTE CUTE CUTE!!! If she hadn’t already stolen my heart with her bright, blue eyes and plump cheeks.. she absolutely would have with her fish impressions! It’s not fair these two perfect girls have to stop what they are doing twice a day to put on vests that literally SHAKE their little bodies, to break up all of the mucus clogging their lungs. It’s not fair they have to take dozens of pills EVERY DAY to stay healthy. It’s not fair Alexa gets sick every few months because a little cold to any of us, is a major sinus infection with great risks for her.

Her parents, Wendy and Steve, have so much hope for the research going on right now.. trials they say could make a HUGE difference in the lives of their girls and thousands of kids across the country. But as with everything, it will take MONEY, DONATIONS to pay for that research.. and the Halls agreed to share their story to encourage people to help them get there. Sometimes it’s hard to remember all of the facts and figures behind a cause, but these literally girls are IMPOSSIBLE to forget 🙂

***

As journalists, we LOVE telling stories. When it’s something inspiring, something that might help someone else, something people will remember, it just makes our jobs that much better.

Choosing Love Over Hate

Apr18

A few weeks ago I posted about a daily project I try to add to at our house. Every day, I write down on an index card that date, and something that happened. Sometimes it’s something big, sometimes it’s something minor, someday I hope it’s a neat way my family can look back on our history.

Monday’s card simply reads…

2013: This was a very sad day in Boston.

In the coming years, how should I explain this entry to my sons? How has ANY parent explained such cowardly, horrific acts to their children?

Maybe I’ll show my boys this.. a recent post from my friend Molly Campbell. If she wasn’t already a brilliant lawyer, wife and mother.. I would spend every waking hour trying to convince her to write for a living.. she’s that good.

***

Dear Jack,

Yesterday when we got home from school, I pulled your daily report out of your backpack. I realized that I hadn’t read it since last week and that on Friday, you did something that you hadn’t done since you were a baby: you bit a friend. Now, you would have gotten in trouble for this on any day but yesterday especially, you were in the hot seat. I realize that a 3 year old’s attention span leaves a bit to be desired so perhaps it wasn’t my smartest move to make you sit with me for a good ten minutes, talking about love and hurt. I kept repeating the same things over and over, trying my hardest to ensure that you were truly listening and understanding what I was saying…why it is not ever okay to hurt someone else, no matter what you are feeling or what they did to you. By the end of the conversation, you were exasperated. You buried your head into my lap and wailed, “Mommmmyyyyy!!!! I won’t bite anymore! Mommmyyyyy!!!” I kissed your head and sent you back to help your daddy get ready for bath time. But I didn’t follow you. Instead, I just sat on that cold kitchen floor and thought about it all. I thought about how this world has changed so much from the place I thought it was when I was your age. I thought about how sad I am that you have to grow up here, in a world where hate has so much power to change things–to shake every day people from everything they thought they knew. And I thought about how helpless I felt over all of it.

Jack, I have had so many plans for things I wanted to teach you. I wanted to teach you to be hardworking and successful so that you would never have to worry about how you would pay your bills. I wanted to teach you to find someone who will make you happy the same way that your dad and I make each other happy. I wanted to teach you about all the things that will bring you a good life. And while all of those things are fine, yesterday I realized that if I can only teach you one thing, I will and I will teach it well. I will teach you love.

There is so much hate in this world. Virgina Tech, where people trying to make a better life for themselves were taken six years ago today. Aurora, where we lost your Crazy Aunt Jessi. Newtown, where parents lost their babies who hadn’t yet had the opportunity to grow up. Boston, where a day of triumph turned into a day of terror. And all of this, all of it because of hate. Jack, I will teach you that every single life is unique and precious. I will teach you that every single person is so very loved and has a network of friends and family who will find it hard to breathe without them. I will teach you that hurting other people and choosing hate over love does nothing at all to make you happier or feel more triumphant. I will teach you that the only thing that can truly combat and ease your fears is love. Child, all I can do is teach you love. And so I will.

Your mom is afraid. It’s hard to watch these kinds of things happen in our world and not be affected by them; not think about the possibility of it happening where we are. It’s hard to lose someone in this way and still think, “It could never happen to me.” or even, “It could never happen to me again.” I have spent so much of my life worrying. I worry about you and about your dad. I worry about my family and my friends. I worry about me. And the worrying has done nothing. It hasn’t stopped anything. And I realize now that I am absolutely, completely, devastatingly helpless over all of this. I cannot stop any of these terrible things from happening and that is just such a sickening feeling–to be sitting here, waiting for the next thing to happen, knowing that there is absolutely nothing that I can do.

But that’s not entirely correct, Jack. Because there is something I can do. Something that if every parent did, we wouldn’t be in this situation. So yesterday, I made a decision. Our family will choose love. We will not choose worry, it does nothing. We will not choose sadness, it does nothing. We will not choose fear, it too does nothing. Instead, we will choose to teach you how to love every single person you meet. Deep, sincere, respectful love. Maybe if someone had taught those other people about that kind of love, our world wouldn’t be where it is today. And maybe I can’t go back in time and teach them the things they should know but I can teach you, and you can teach your children and your children can teach their children. Because the one thing I know is that hate will not win. Love always, always wins. And it will win this time too.

Because all I can do is teach mine to love. And suddenly, I don’t feel so helpless anymore.

Love,
Mommy

All you need is love. Thanks for the reminder, Molly 🙂

See Jack Run

Apr8

“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.”

–Albert Schweitzer

***

JACK

What a weekend for this brave little boy.

He’s only 7. He’s had countless surgeries on top of years of chemotherapy and traveling for treatment and tests to defeat pediatric brain cancer. He’s only 7.

When I saw his touchdown run Saturday.. Jack Hoffman, running down the field at Memorial Stadium in front of 60,000 emotional, screaming fans.. I bawled.

Seen it yet? If you haven’t (and you’re one of the few people in the country!) click here.. it’s an absolute MUST.

Why is this story, this video, so inspiring?

Because simple acts of kindness.. by former Husker Rex Burkhead extending friendship to Jack.. by the team ‘adopting’ the Hoffman family and their cause to fight pediatric brain cancer.. by Coach Bo Pelini and the Nebraska coaching staff making this moment possible Saturday.. made this little boy feel glorious. They helped Jack forget about surgeries and needles and cancer. They made this little boy, only 7, SO HAPPY. And who is more deserving, after all he’s been through at just 7 years old, than Jack Hoffman.

A quick note.. Jack’s fight isn’t over. His tumor is still there, even though it has shrunk substantially since it was first discovered in 2011. Jack will still face chemo for several more months.

So many kids lose their battle to this horrible disease. Too many. That’s what #TeamJack is fighting, and the Hoffman family hopes long after Jack’s highlight stops running on Sportscenter you’ll remember their cause. There are ways you can help listed in Jack’s story posted above, and you can learn more here in a story I shared after talking to Jack and his dad, Andy, last May.

There are so many things in the world that pull us down, make us doubt everything we know and everyone around us. This was one of those moments that brought everyone together and simply put, made everyone smile.

Way to go, Jack.