Mom, can we go to the Christmas parade?" Melissa Smoot's 16-year-old daughter, Abby, asked one afternoon last December.
Abby's fraternal twin sister, Gabrielle, and their mother stared at Abby in stunned disbelief.
"Really?" Melissa asked. "You know it will be crowded and noisy."
Abby suffered from alopecia and several other autoimmune disorders. She was also born with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a heart condition that causes sudden and dramatic drops in blood pressure, triggering severe anxiety attacks. Crowds made Abby so anxious, often she'd swoon into unconsciousness. Except for school, Abby rarely left their Charleston, West Virginia, home.
But she was determined to go to the holiday parade. "Something just tells me I should go," Abby said shyly.
Healing hug
"Right here is good," Melissa found an isolated spot near the end of the parade route, and she and her girls sat on the curb to await the festivities.
The parade was led by a squad of local police cars, lights flashing and sirens blaring. Abby squeezed her eyes shut, but she couldn't block out the noise.
By the time the police roared past, Abby's heart was pounding, and Melissa could see her daughter's anxiety mounting, fear overwhelming her.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 12, 2022 من Woman's World.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 12, 2022 من Woman's World.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
They spread hope with a one-of-a-kind gift shop!
With the help of his devoted mom, Theresa, 27-year-old Sean DeMarco, who has autism, was able to open his own unique business-helping both himself and others like him showcase their incredible talents!
She's given more than 1000 senior dogs love and comfort
Fostering an elderly golden retriever proved to be so life-changing for Alice Mayn that she went on to create a sanctuary that serves as a sweet safe haven for senior dogs
Seniors born before 1961 get new medical alert device with no monthly bills ever
It's just what seniors have been waiting for; a sleek new medical alert device with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills that instantly connects you to free unlimited nationwide help with just the push of a button for a one-time $149 price tag that's a real steal after today's instant rebate
YOUR MONEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED
\"My daughter found out she had cash in an old bank account and a 401(k) she'd forgotten about.I'd love to discover if there's money waiting for me too! How can I look for it?\"
5 cleaning hacks that'll boost your mood!
It’s no secret that a clean, tidy home lifts our spirits. Here, two-in-one tips that’ll help you ditch dirt and grime while increasing your joy and energy levels
"Joy is your North Star!"
Beloved for her role as Bernadette on The Big Bang Theory, and now as Judge Abby Stone on the revival of NBC's Night Court, Melissa Rauch, 44, has been making audiences laugh for nearly two decades.
No more dizzy spells
Ever experienced 'the spins'? You may be dealing with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
"Help! I'm headed for a gray divorce"
With the divorce rate for women over 50 soaring, we asked experts for empowering ways to overcome emotional and practical challenges
Turn back the 'hands' of time
It's no secret-our hands can reveal our age faster than we'd like, thanks to thinning skin, discoloration and other telltale signs. But don't worry, we've got you covered! These gamechanging tips can keep your hands looking youthful, so everyone's left guessing your age.
Soup off fat 12x faster
Breakthrough science reveals the secret ingredient helping women like Lydia Lynn lose 104 lbs-and keep it off
