Michigan Teen Carries Brother With Cerebral Palsy Over 40 Miles
In today's edition of the "Good Stuff," an act of brotherly love that extends over the course of 40 miles. CNN's Chris Cuomo reports.
Brothers Hunter and Braden Gandee walked from their hometown of Bedford, Michigan, to Ann Arbor - with one catch. Fourteen-year-old Hunter carried Braden, 7, who has cerebral palsy, on his back for the entire route. It was no simple feat - Braden weighs about 50 pounds.
The boys called it "The Cerebral Palsy Swagger Walk," and organized it to raise money and awareness for the disease.
In the toughest stretches of the walk, Hunter said he felt motivated by those around him to push forward.
"All of the people that came to support us, and all the help that they've given us, and also all of the kids out there with C.P., who are having struggles every day in their lives," he said.
The boys marched 25 miles on the first day and completed the final 15 miles on day two. Along the way, the Gandee brothers raised thousands of dollars for cerebral palsy research.
Braden's takeaway from his brother's walk was a simple one: "I'm really proud of him."
If you have #GoodStuff news, let us know.
You can reach us on Facebook, tweet to @ChrisCuomo or @NewDay using #NewDay, and submit your story on iReport.
Pilot Makes Emergency Skydive: See His Frightening Crash Photos
Shawn Kinmartin, 21, is quick on his feet – in a figurative sense, as he made decisions under pressure while the plane he piloted began to malfunction, and in a literal sense, when he ultimately made an emergency skydive out of that very plane.
"I was nervous, you know, a little scared, but at the same time excited," Kinmartin said of his impromptu jump Monday on "New Day."
Kinmartin was flying the plane for a recreational skydiving company in Missouri.
In a rare equipment failure, Kinmartin, a flight simulation student at Southern Illinois University, lost pitch control of the plane and had mere seconds to decide his next move. He realized he wouldn't be able to make an emergency landing, and quickly repositioned the plane.
"When I got it over some farmland, I decided that it was time for me to finally jump out," he said.
Kinmartin was 2,000 feet above ground when he jumped; he watched the abandoned plane crash as he floated down with a parachute.
The experience would scare many away from flying, but Kinmartin walked away unscathed and is already plotting his next adventure.
"I want to go up and do a tandem jump at full altitude."
RELATED: Pilot jumps from his own damaged plane
"Morning Minute" with John Berman – June 16, 2014
Need to get today's top stories on-the-go? Watch John Berman's morning minute now!
And here's a rundown of the top stories from today's show:
- Pilot Makes Emergency Skydive: See His Frightening Crash Photos
- Have an Infant? Here's What you Need to Know About Whooping Cough
- Michigan Teen Carries Brother With Cerebral Palsy Over 40 Miles
- Photo of the Day: View of the Hudson River in New York City
- "Morning Minute" with John Berman– June 16, 2014
- 5 Things to Know for Your New Day – Monday, June 16
Have an Infant? Here's What you Need to Know About Whooping Cough
Whooping cough, known to doctors as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection, and California is currently experiencing an epidemic.
According to the state's public health department, 800 cases have been reported in the past two weeks alone.
But it's not only people on the West Coast that should be alarmed.
According to the CDC, the U.S. has seen a 24% increase nationally in whooping cough cases, compared to January through April of last year.
"Whooping cough is so contagious 80% of exposed people will get it," Dr. Alexander van Tulleken, a senior fellow at Fordham University, said on "New Day" Monday.
While there are many symptoms, the actual name for the disease comes from the sound an infected person makes when gasping for breath after a coughing fit.
"One cough on a subway, you will infect 15- 20 people," Dr. Van Tulleken shared.
WHO NEEDS TO KNOW & WHY DOES IT MATTER:
Since the disease can be potentially fatal to newborns, if you have an infant or work around children – listen up.
It's time to get both them and parents vaccinated.
About half of the infants who get whooping cough end up in a hospital.
Dr. Van Tulleken acknowledged that some parents may be skeptical of vaccines, primarily because of past reports that linked them to autism, but he said those reports have been "completely debunked."
Although infants can't be vaccinated within the first six weeks of life, parents can build a "ring of protection" around their children by ensuring everyone else is vaccinated.
If you're an adult who's already gotten the vaccine, it's important to note there isn't lifetime immunity.
All adults should get a Tdap booster, unless you had one as a teenager (after age 11).
WHAT DO I DO IF I'M INFECTED?
Prevention is key so Dr. Van Tulleken said use common sense now.
Wash your hands and cough into your elbow to avoid spreading or catching whooping cough.
If you get sick, however, there is a first week or two where you're highly contagious and not very symptomatic.
During this time, if you feel like you have a cough or a cold, he suggested going to your family physician.
Depending on a variety of circumstances, they may or may not treat you with antibiotics.
__________
New Day Hosts
Weekend Hosts
