On the outside, 12-year-old Luna seems like your average kid. It's not until you get to know her that you learn that Luna is anything but average.

Born with a heart defect (缺陷)called dextrocardia, Luna has had three open-heart operations and continues to pursue her interests in art and fashion. But when Luna was approached by athletic shoe company Saucony to design a shoe for sale across the country, it came as quite a surprise.

“This is so incredible. I got to use my art and creativity for something new that I'd never thought I'd be able to design,“ Luna said. She is one of six patients from Boston Children's Hospital ( BCH) who have partnered with Saucony to design their own shoe to launch the Shoes with Soul campaign.

“Rather than just a donation, we wanted to create an experience and a moment that would not only raise money, but also awareness to highlight all the amazing work that's being done at BCH,“ says Chris, Saucony's vice president. “Specifically, we wanted to give some of the BCH kids an opportunity to share their story and their talents with the world. ”

Luna's design is fashion. ^u On the tongue ,they digitalized one of my drawings, and then on bottom it's a really bright pink color, and on the inside ,the sole of the shoe is actually another drawing I did of a sunset,“ she said. "Thinking about kids everywhere around the world wearing my shoe is amazing. It blows my mind.”

The income from the shoe sales will benefit the Boston Children's Hospital Cardiac Fitness Program, which encourages kids to “find your possible" through personalized exercise programs tailored for each individual patient's heart condition.

“It feels really good to help people and it's really something I can relate to,“ says Luna. “The advice I would give a kid or someone like me is never give up. There are a lot of kids out there with your condition and you're not alone.”

At 95, Brigid Kavanagh has finally fulfilled a long time ambition of publishing a book. Yet, her path to having her words put into print wasn’t easy, and required determination and belief in her abilities.

With the strict lockdown (封闭) in Ireland, Kavanagh’s family seized the opportunity to help her publish her book. They collected the many poems and stories written by their mother and had 500 copies of the book In My Mind’s Eye, Walking Amongst Ghosts printed.

Kavanagh tried to get some works published in her 80s, but was met with disappointment. So the publication of her writings is a great triumph. “I just can’t believe it... I’m absolutely thrilled. After my disappointment in the 80s, I thought I was finished,” she shared with RTE News.

The senior shared with the news channel that she'd always found it easier to express herself on paper—a gift that didn’t go unnoticed in her schooldays. “When I was young, my teacher said ‘you should be a writer’, and often asked me to read out my essays. I think it would be grand if she could be around to see that prediction fulfilled.

The book, which consists of the rich memoirs Kavangh has written throughout her lifetime, will give readers insight into World War II in London, her life in Dublin, and back to life in her hometown of Roscommon.

The writer has been given “a new lease of life” according to her son Declan, who, accompanied by his brother Sean, helped his mother fulfill her lifelong dream.

While there are only a limited number of copies available, the real success of the publication is seeing a family coming together to help their mother, and an elderly woman’s satisfaction in seeing her words finally in print for all to enjoy.

As a teacher, it has been my goal to teach my students to become active and responsible members in the community, the nation, and the world. Over the years, my students have made great differences in our community, but saving lives was not really part of our plan.

In a January, the students asked why I was upset, so I sadly told them the story. A young man in my neighborhood hit his head while ice skating. Although sent to the hospital at once, he died a few days later.

Hearing this, the class began to study head injuries. When my students learned about the dangers, they did careful research before deciding that the best solution was a helmet (头盔) policy that would require all students to wear a helmet if they rode on a bike, skateboard, etc. By showing how important it was, they had the policy passed in the community. They also got a grant (拨款) to buy helmets to be sold at a lower price or given free to students.

After Spring Break that year, a mother came to our class to tell the students that they had saved her daughter’s life. With tears in her eyes, she said that her daughter hit a parked car while riding down a hill. Thankfully, she was wearing a helmet given by my students, which, according to the doctor, had prevented serious brain damage or death.

Since then and over the years, my students have solved many problems in our community: getting a path along the road to school built, changing the lunch program, and the list goes on and on. Each of these ideas was chosen, researched, and presented by the students. My role was that of a guide. Yes, I truly believe that eleven- and twelve-year-old students can make a difference as they become helpful and valuable members in the community.