Good News In America: Recovery, Resilience, Hope And Kindness

Last year around Christmastime, Terri Woodfruff’s 15-year-old son, Alec, had a surprise for her: He stood up with the help of his therapists and walked. It was a milestone after a cold he’d caught a couple of months earlier settled into his spinal cord and developed into an extraordinarily rare disease known as acute flaccid myelitis.

“It was the happiest day in my whole entire life,” Woodruff said, unable to hold back tears. “And we've never looked back.”

Alec had nearly died on the way to the hospital on Oct. 10, 2018, the day Woodruff found him lying on the couch, his hands around his neck. “I’ve been waiting for you, Mama,” he told her. “I think if I move my hands, my head is going to fall off.”

Alec is recovering, literally one step at a time. Read more on Levittown Patch about his journey, and how his mother’s gut that he had more than a simple cold saved his life: Teen Had ‘Weird’ Cough; Rare Disease Nearly Killed Him

Scroll down for more uplifting stories from Patch editors across the country:

The Man Behind Drones That Replant Forests

Chrystoff Camacho’s invention looks like a tiny missile dropping from the sky. But the purpose behind the New Jersey entrepreneur’s brainchild is to destroy a target, but rather replenish forests.

Loaded with packets of tree seeds and mineral rich soil, the cone-shaped capsule Camacho developed can pierce tough, dry earth after they’re dropped from drones or planes like little bombs.

Read more about what Camacho thinks is possible on Newark Patch.

Bagel Shop Goes 185 Extra Miles For Customer Service

Long Island bagel shop manager Vincent Proscia made a road trip out of customer service after Diana Chong grabbed coffee at his Middle Island shop early Saturday morning.

The Ridge woman’s husband, their two children and the family dog were waiting in the running car as they were driving to a “friendsgiving” in Pennsylvania. When they arrived, Chong realized she’d left her key fob behind at the bagel shop and they were locked out of the car.

Read the rest of this story of extraordinary customer service on Medford Patch.

Kidney Needed Sign At Bears Game Sparks ‘Overwhelming’ Response

Marcus Edwards’ chance of getting a new kidney is “almost definite” two weeks after a picture of the Jeffersonville, Indiana, man hoisting a sign Chicago Bears game that read “I need a kidney” was circulated on social media.

A fan he met in the stands took it upon herself to give the photo traction on social media. The Living Donor has received around 20 times the number of intake calls for testing than it does on average for a single person.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.

Read more about this and how you can be tested as an organ donor on Chicago Patch.

‘Let The Baby Die’: Bright Side of Despicable Message

“If this little miracle can teach us all to love more and hate less, we can change the world,” Angela Ahlers wrote on a crowdfunding page after strangers gave more than $62,000 to help her and husband K.C. pay for unforeseen medical expenses to give their son, who was born in July with two rare disorders, a chance to live.

Someone had vandalized a sign sharing information about their son R.J.’s disorder and the urgent need to raise money for costs insurance wouldn’t cover. “Let the baby die,” it read in part.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.

Read more about the kindness of strangers on Toledo Patch.

Teen’s Life Changed For The Better When He Found Football

Duane Coleman was overweight and depressed, watching his mother struggle against addiction. He occasionally went to a dark place and wanted to give up. But then he found football.

Read more about the Newark teen’s journey, and his recipient of a “Heart of a Giant” award at high school on Newark Patch.

Here are five more uplifting stories from Patch last week:

• Students Spread Kindness, One Coffee Sleeve At A Time
• Santa’s Sweet Act Brings Joy To Autistic Boy
• Fire Department Helps Birthday Boy Celebrate
• Officers Track Down Tricycle Stolen From Disabled Elderly Man
• Unique Special Needs Center Gets Its Own Supermarket