Kentucky woman who lost all four limbs after kidney stone surgery refuses to despair, shares inspiring message



A Kentucky mother of two went to the hospital last month to receive what she figured would be a routine treatment for a kidney stone. Lucinda Mullins, 41, ultimately ended up losing both legs and both arms from the elbows down.

Despite the great misfortune that has befallen her, Mullins has not succumbed to despair. Rather, she has exhibited great perseverance and optimism, focusing on the blessings in her life.

Mullins, who has served her community as a nurse for nearly two decades, told WLEX-TV that after getting treatment for her kidney stone last month, the mineral deposit got infected, resulting in her, in turn, becoming septic — what she referred to as a "perfect storm." She was first rushed to Fort Logan Hospital in Stanford, Kentucky, then taken by ambulance to UK Hospital in Lexington.

Mullins spent days sedated in the hospital until being awoken to learn that she had to have all of her limbs amputated. The alternative was likely death.

"I've lost my legs from the knees down bilaterally, and I'm going to lose my arms probably below the elbow bilaterally," Mullins said. "The doctor I used to work with, he kind of was like, 'this is what they had to do to save your life[;] this is what's happened."

Mullins apparently took the bad news in stride, leaning into her faith and family.

"I just said these are the cards I've been dealt, and these are the hands I'm going to play," Mullins told WLEX. "I'm just so happy to be alive. I get to see my kids. I get to see my family. I get to have my time with my husband."

Mullins noted that if "one person from this can see God from all this, that made it all worth it."

On New Year's Day, Mullins was transferred to Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital in Lexington to begin her rehabilitation.

At the hospital, her youngest son helped feed her.

At the time of publication, the GoFundMe campaign created for Mullins' medical needs, prosthetics, and adaptive equipment had raised over $183,300 towards its goal of $250,000.

Extra to financial support from friends and strangers alike, Mullins told WLEX she has been overwhelmed by in-person visits and support.

"At one time, I think they told [me] 40 people were in the waiting room here. The calls and the texts, the prayers, and the things people have sent. The little words of encouragement," said Mullins. "I just can't fathom that people are doing things like that for me."

While the nurse from Kentucky has a marathon ahead of her in terms of rehab and therapy, she shared counsel for others sprinting through life: "Slow down. Appreciate the things around you, especially your family. It's OK to let people take care of you."

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'He died as a hero': Families begin opening up about Maine massacre victims, including those who went down fighting



A gunman opened fire in a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday evening, slaughtering 18 people and grievously wounding 13 others. While authorities have waited to identify the victims, some family members have already begun to do so.

In addition to the names of the victims, stories of their heroism and defiance in the face of evil have begun to emerge.

Eight people were killed at Schemengees Bar and Grille, according to the Maine State Police. Among them was bar manager Joseph Walker.

Walker's dad, Leroy Walker, an Auburn city councilor, shared with NBC Nightly News what state police told his daughter-in-law, Tracey Walker, about the shooting.

The visibly devastated father indicated that after MSP told Joseph Walker's widow that he had been slain, they "went into telling her that he died as a hero because he picked up a butcher knife from somewhere — he has all that stuff near the bar anyways. And he tried to go at the gunman to stop him from shooting anybody else. The gunman shot him twice through the stomach."

NBC News' Lester Holt pressed the councilor on whether the knowledge that his son went down fighting changed his pain at all.

Leroy Walker answered, "Oh. ... It made it worse. Yeah, it made it worse."

The Station Grill Restaurant, where Joseph Walker was also a manager, noted in a Meta post, "For those of you that don't know Joe. Let me tell you, this man would give the shirt off his back to help a total stranger. But last night he gave up more than that, he gave up his life."

"Somehow Joe made it to the kitchen. Most of you might not realize this but there is a door that he could have exited and saved his own life but not Joe. He grabbed a knife and went back out into danger to try and stop the shooter," said the Station Grill. "When I heard this, I was so upset but not surprised. I can ask myself 100 times. Why not leave Joe. Please take the door and you would be here. Joe would tell me that he would have to stop the shooter. That's Joseph Walker, the man that I know. Putting everyone first. He will alway be our hero."

Leroy Walker told MSNBC that it was not until 14 hours after the shooting that his family discovered his son's fate.

"None of us slept. We were up all night," said Walker. "We didn't know where to go, who to run to. They didn't notify any of us."

Finally, Walker's youngest son called him with the news.

"I almost fell to my knees," said the councilor. "I said, 'Don't tell me that.'"

Walker indicated his family is now "suffering and dying in a nightmare we don't understand," having lost "a great, great son, a loving husband."

"He had two grandchildren and a stepson," added Walker. "Thousands of people loved him. ... What are we gonna do tomorrow, the next day? How are we gonna handle this?"

Tricia Asselin, 53, was among the seven people slain at Just-In-Time Recreation in Lewiston. Although a part-time employee at the establishment, Asselin had the night off and was bowling with her sister Bobbi Nichols when the carnage began.

Nichols, who survived the massacre, told CNN, "We heard a loud noise and I wasn't sure what it was until I heard another shot and then I knew."

People began scrambling to escape the bowling alley amid the crackle of gunfire. In the chaos, Nichols said, "I couldn't see [Asselin] and everybody was running, and I got caught in people trampling."

Nichols indicated that after making it outside, "We just kept running and running and running. ... And it was dark out."

"I just ran as far as I could go until there was a fence and there were some trees and a bunch of us were hiding behind the trees wondering what was going on," said Nicholas.

Hours after police escorted the survivors out of the murky woods, Nichols said that "somebody came out and said that she called 911, and when she called 911 to save everybody, she lost her life because of it."

The New York Post reported that Asselin was a mother who worked three jobs.

"My sister's a hero," said Nichols. "She was a hero."

Asselin's brother DJ Johnson said, "If she there was an argument going on, she would be the one to calm everyone down. ... If somebody was having a bad day, she would be right on the phone to talk to you about it."

Upon learning Asselin had tried to call for help, Johnson said, "That was just her. She wasn't going to run. She was going to try and help."

Besides a tragic end, it appears many of the victims shared bravery in common.

Michael Deslauriers Sr. noted that his son, Michael Deslauriers II, was with "his dearest friend," Jason Walker, when they were "murdered last night at the bowling alley."

Deslauriers Sr. said that "they made sure their wives and several young children were under cover then they charged the shooter."

Also among the victims who have so far been identified:

  • 76-year-old retiree and well-loved volunteer bowling coach Bob Violette;
  • Peyton Brewer-Ross, a 40-year-old pipefitter and new father remembered for his good nature and sense of humor;
  • 44-year-old Bill Young and his 14-year-old son Aaron Young;
  • Bryan McFarlane, a dog-loving truck driver who had been participating in a deaf cornhole tournament at the bar;
  • 34-year-old Tommy Conrad, a manager at the bowling alley, who leaves behind a 9-year-old daughter;
  • Joshua Seal, a young father of four and an American Sign Language interpreter for the Pine Tree Society;
  • Ron Morin, remembered as "an upstanding man with a lot of joy in his heart," reported the Independent;
  • 42-year-old Arthur Strout, a father of five; and
  • Bill Brackett and Steve Vozzella, both of whom had been attending the deaf cornhole game.

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68-year-old Lowe's employee fired for trying to stop shoplifters has been reinstated



The 68-year-old Lowe's employee fired for bravely trying to stop shoplifters from absconding with over $2,000 of stolen merchandise has been given her job back at the Rincon, Georgia, store where she has worked for 13 years.

This corporate about-face appears to have been the result, at least in part, of the widespread recognition of Donna Hansbrough's dedication as well as the backlash online over the store's decision to kick a battered victim to the curb over a supposed company policy violation.

TheBlaze previously reported that three suspects entered the home improvement store on June 25, loaded at least one shopping cart with loot, then took off without paying.

Police indicated the alleged shoplifting trio comprised Takyah Berry, Joseph Berry (Takyah's uncle), and Jarmar Lawton.

According to the Rincon Police Department, Hansbrough attempted to stop one of the suspects by grabbing hold of the shopping cart.

The 68-year-old later told the Effingham Herald, "I just got tired of seeing things get out the door. I just ... I lost it."

Outside the store, Hansbrough reportedly asked to see a receipt. When the suspects failed to produce one, she grabbed the cart.

Police stressed that Hansbrough "did not at any time make contact with any person."

Takyah Berry, one of the suspects, was allegedly the shoplifter helming the cart full of stolen goods.

Berry allegedly hit Hansbrough three times in the face, giving the victim a swollen black eye, said police.

Surveillance video of the incident appears to show Hansbrough take the beating but maintaining control of the cart, which she subsequently wheeled back into the store, despite her injuries.

A black-eyed Hansbrough was later informed she had been let go.

"I didn't expect to get terminated," said Hansbrough. "Maybe a reprimand or a suspension."

Hansbrough told WJCL-TV, "It's the first time I've ever been hit, first time I've ever had a black eye, first time I've ever been fired in my life. I've had lots of jobs, but never fired."

Following her painful exit, Hansbrough indicated she would have to go job hunting because idling at home was not an option.

The Effingham Herald reported that Lowe's issued a statement Monday, noting, "After senior management became aware of the incident and spoke to Donna Hansbrough today, we are reinstating her job and we are pleased that she has accepted the offer to return to Lowe's."

Larry Costello, senior manager of corporate communications at Lowe's, added, "First and foremost, there’s nothing more important than the safety of our customers and associates. Products can be replaced; people cannot. We continue to work closely with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute those who are responsible for this theft and violent attack."

Police indicated that Joseph Berry was apprehended in Jacksonville, Florida, on July 22, and is now in custody. Lawton had been previously captured. Takyah Berry, meanwhile, remains at large. She is suspected of having committed a similar theft at a Walmart in Chatham County.

Rincon police: Lowes employee fired after trying to stop theft. Officers now seeking suspectsyoutu.be

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Armed mugging foiled when West Hollywood restaurateur takes on two attackers, ends up with their gun



A pair of armed thugs stormed a West Hollywood restaurant last Friday only to discover that capitulation wasn't on the menu.

CCTV footage has emerged showing two angles of the incident at Le Petit Four, a French cuisine restaurant on the Sunset Strip.

In the first, two hooded suspects in black can be seen crashing gun-first into what appears to be the restaurant's outdoor area where a couple is seated. They tackle the male victim while the woman slips away.

The mugging doesn't appear to have gone as planned.

Despite his numerical disadvantage, the victim managed to get a grip on the suspect's firearm. The three men then fought for control of the weapon, plowing through a series of deserted tables and onto the floor in the process.

Alexander Morgenthaler intervened just in time.

In a second video of the incident, Morgenthaler can be seen grappling with the thugs and putting distance between them and their weapon.

Upon their bereavement of the superior firepower, both thugs turned tail and bolted out of the establishment.

West Hollywood restaurant owner snatches gun from would-be thieves youtu.be

KTTV-TV reported that thanks to Morgenthaler's heroics, no injuries were reported and nothing was taken from the victim.

According to Neighborhood Scout, the likelihood of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Los Angeles is 1 in 135. The chance of becoming a victim of a property crime is 1 in 41.

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