Laid Off Workers Start Pursuing Their Dreams

As the unemployment rate reaches record numbers, laid-off workers aren't giving up hope on pursuing their dream jobs. According to a CNN story this morning, many people are making the most of their current unemployment status by going after jobs they always dreamed of doing. Take Trent Vondrasek, who took an unpaid internship at the Lansing, Michigan, mayor's office after he lost his job in October as a consultant for General Motors. The 42-year-old is the oldest intern in the mayor's office. The father of three is proud of his attempt to break into politics by working his way up the ladder. One of the highlights of his experience thus far - helping protect a woman from losing her electricity and from the mortgage company threatening to foreclose on her home. Copy & paste this link into your web browser to read the full article on CNN.com and to learn about several resources if you find yourself in a similar situation: http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/worklife/07/06/career.change/index.html

Kids With Autism Celebrate Their Achievements at Unique High School

All parents have dreams for their children, even those with disabilities. At P.S. 176X in the Bronx, the families of teens with autism are celebrating a day many never imagined would arrive: high school graduation.

"When I came here, I couldn't talk. I talked gibberish," the now-voluble Vicki recalls. "I didn't do my class work; I'd go like this," and she proceeds to flap her hands -- a common symptom of autism known as stereotypy or, self-stimulation.

On graduation day, Vicki beamed from the high school stage as she collected three awards along with a special education diploma, and wowed the hundreds in the audience by singing "Besame Mucho" with the school's Latin band.

P.S. 176X is the largest school for children with autism in New York City and very likely the largest in the country, if not the world. Because it is so big, explains principal Rima Ritholtz, it can offer an extraordinary range of services: chorus, band, arts, life skills and cooking classes, vocational training at school and in the community, as well as a wide range of academic programs aligned to the wide-ranging abilities and disabilities of the students.

Below is the video highlight of Vicki singing at her graduation:



More at this story at link: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/07/02/autism.high.school/index.html#cnnSTCText

Doctors Giving Patients A Clean Bill of Health Without the Bill

In these hard economic times, 2 retired doctors who came from modest backgrounds are still giving back to those who may have lost their jobs and insurance and are to full of worry and seeking help.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Teen Makes 100-Mile Wheelchair Trek for Charity

A 14-year old Michigan boy named Gene Fletcher has completed a 100-mile wheelchair journey from Rapid River to Bay Cliff. He raised more than $20,000 for the Bay Cliff Health Camp, a nonprofit therapy and wellness center on Michigan's Upper Peninsula for children and adults with physical disabilities.

Read more on Fletcher's website: www.trektobaycliff.com/

Urban Farming - A New Revolution?

On a piece of land in downtown Atlanta, a group of residents have taken a lack of fresh produce into their own hands. You could call Habesha Gardens a revival of old traditions. It's one of many urban gardens emerging throughout the country. The fruits and vegetables sprouting up in this economically depressed area known as Mechanicsville is providing more than just fresh produce - it's also restoring a broken food system, providing mentoring programs and teaching a community how to utilize its resources for profit. Click on the link to learn more about Habesha Gardens: http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/06/29/bia.urban.farming/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

A Miracle at the Memorial Wall

When the father of a young man who'd died serving in Iraq went to the Vietnam Memorial Wall for a celebration, he met a trauma nurse who'd comforted his son on his deathbed. Listen to the moving story.



http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104389637

You Are Never to Old to Have Fun!

Avola Fitzwater is still water skiing at age 77 and despite arthritis in her legs she is not stopping anytime soon.

"I just love the water," says Avola Fitzwater. "I can't stay away from the water." In a cute one-piece bathing suit, the 77-year-old rips across the lake like a pro.

See for yourself in the video below.



Avola's husband Clarence is no slouch either, he drives the boat.