From Janitor to Yale Doctor

A 32-year-old medical student is heading back to the same New Haven hospital where she was born and once worked as a janitor, this time as a doctor. Shay Taylor-Allen, a Howard University College of Medicine student, matched March 20 to her top choice, Yale School of Medicine, calling the moment “surreal.”

While working as a janitor at Yale during her sophomore year, Shay was caring for her sick mother and struck up a conversation with the hospital’s then-CEO, whose office she cleaned. The connection led to help for her family and inspired her to pursue a career in medicine and patient advocacy.

She is set to graduate in May and will join Yale’s Department of Anesthesiology later this year. Department chair Dr. Lisa Leffert said the program is “thrilled” to welcome her.

Shay is encouraging others to keep pushing forward, saying, “We can do anything that we put our minds to.”

Teen Scout Saves Leader’s Life

A 13-year-old Boy Scout saved his troop leader’s life during a rafting trip in northern Georgia, and this month received one of Scouting America’s rarest honors for his actions.

Devon Champenoy, now 15, was on a raft with Assistant Scoutmaster David Lemley and several younger scouts when David was thrown into Class III rapids and became trapped with his foot stuck, struggling to keep his head above water. Devon freed David’s foot, then navigated the raft through 15 to 20 minutes of rapids, guiding several first-time campers to safety.

“There’s no doubt in my mind—had Devon not stepped in to free my foot, I was going to die,” Lemley said.

Devon received the Honor Medal with Crossed Palms, an award fewer than 300 scouts have earned in the organization’s history. He’s now working toward becoming an Eagle Scout.

Friends Recreate Photo for 40 Years

Five lifelong friends from California have been recreating the same group photo during vacations together for more than four decades, starting in 1982 at a lakeside cabin near the Oregon border. The men, now in their 60s, began the tradition casually before committing in 1997 to repeat the photo every five years, no matter what.

The series, taken in the same order and setting, now spans nine photos through 2022, with a tenth planned for 2027. What started as a simple snapshot has become a symbol of enduring friendship, even as the group has spread out and travel has become more complicated over the years.

The photos have drawn widespread attention online, with many pointing to the rarity of such long-lasting bonds. The friends say the tradition has deepened their appreciation for staying connected. Watch a video.

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Feel Good Flyover Podcast. Clicking the link will take you directly there:

➤ A 12-year-old half-blind dog fought off a bear to protect her family and farm animals. (Listen Now)

➤ After spotting an elderly man eating alone at McDonald’s, a three-year-old picked up his breakfast and joined him. (Hear Story)

➤ This Michigan fourth grader saved a man’s life by performing CPR that he had learned just one day prior. (Hear Details)

19 Things to Cut When Money Gets Tight (Most People Ignore #11)

Money is tight, and with prices on the rise, deciding where to cut back can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight to see a difference. 

Here is how to start: Browse our list of money-saving strategies below and choose just one or two to try today. Even a single small change can create the breathing room you need to breathe a little easier.

LEARN MORE

➤ A Florida man’s guide dog detected a life-threatening blood clot in his owner’s leg without any medical alert training. The dog refused to stop pressing his chin against the leg until his owner went to the ER, where doctors found deep vein thrombosis that could have been fatal. (See Photos)

➤ Visually impaired visitors in Naples got to explore the Veiled Christ by touch for the first time after the museum removed its protective barriers for a special event. Guides who were themselves visually impaired led 80 participants through the 270-year-old marble masterpiece using their fingertips. (Full Story)

➤ When three foster sisters in Tallahassee, including a four-month-old baby, faced the possibility of being separated, a social worker who always dreamed of being a mom didn’t hesitate to adopt all of them. (See Photos)

➤ On the island of Mauritius, resort managers keep one man’s number alongside those of police and fire—a metal detectorist who has recovered around 1,000 rings over 30 years, often racing to the airport to return them before newlyweds fly home. (More)

➤ After 11 years of keeping her missing dog’s microchip up to date, a Pennsylvania woman got the call she never stopped hoping for. A little girl in Philadelphia had found her pit bull, Animal Control scanned his chip, and the pair were finally reunited. (See Photos)

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A Toy Story character uses sign language to connect with a deaf boy, turning a simple meet-and-greet into a powerful, personal interaction.

video via The LA Couple – Facebook

If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?

Your money is getting tight. Prices are going up. And figuring out what to cut back on can feel overwhelming.

Here’s what you can do: Read our list of money-saving strategies below, and start with one or two today. Even doing just one can help you breathe a little easier.

“I was jumping up and down to the point I think the concrete was going to break.”

—  Shay Taylor-Allen, describing her excitement after matching with Yale School of Medicine for her residency.