Researchers in Australia Just Spotted an Extinct Animal On Camera

Exciting news from Australia! Researchers at Bush Heritage Australia spotted a brushtail possum on camera, a species locally extinct in the area for years. The possum traveled over 24 miles to Charles Darwin Reserve from Mt. Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary, where conservation efforts are underway. This journey shows progress in repopulating the threatened species. Scientists will continue monitoring these animals as their numbers hopefully grow, thanks to ongoing efforts to protect their habitat and ensure their survival.

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Need a Mental Reset? Science Says Take a Nap

A quick nap might be the smartest move you make all day. Researchers from the University of Freiburg and the University of Geneva say that even a short afternoon nap—up to 45 minutes—can help the brain recover and prepare to learn again. Their findings, published in the journal NeuroImage, show that a brief siesta helps reorganize connections between nerve cells, making it easier to absorb new information. “Even short periods of sleep enhance the brain’s capacity to encode new information,” said Professor Christoph Nissen, who led the study. During the day, our brains are bombarded with information and constantly process new thoughts and experiences. This strengthens the connections between nerve cells—called synapses—but that also leads to saturation. Eventually, the brain can’t take in much more. That’s where sleep comes in. It resets things. Nissen explains that the brain doesn’t need a full night’s rest to do this kind of cleanup. A midday nap can reduce synaptic overload while still preserving important memories, essentially freeing up brainpower for whatever comes next. “This ‘synaptic reset’ can happen with just an afternoon nap, clearing space for new memories to form,” he said. To test the idea, the researchers recruited 20 healthy young adults and had them either nap or stay awake for two afternoons. The naps lasted about 45 minutes on average. Since it’s not possible to directly measure synaptic activity in humans, the team used non-invasive tools like EEGs and transcranial magnetic stimulation to monitor what was going on in the brain. They found that after a nap, the overall strength of synaptic connections dropped—an indicator that the brain had restored itself. More importantly, the brain’s ability to form new connections improved “significantly,” suggesting it was ready to take in new information. “The study helps us understand how important even short periods of sleep are for mental recovery,” said Dr. Kai Spiegelhalder of the University Medical Center Freiburg. “A short nap can help you think more clearly and continue working with concentration.” The research suggests that naps could be especially helpful in high-pressure fields like sports, music, or safety-critical jobs. “An afternoon nap can sustain performance under high demand,” Nissen said. That doesn’t mean occasional sleeplessness is a disaster. The team pointed out that short-term sleep problems don’t necessarily harm performance. And for those dealing with chronic insomnia, they recommend cognitive behavioural therapy over sleeping pills, which can interfere with natural brain recovery and lead to dependency. Bottom line: A nap isn’t lazy—it’s neuroscience.

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Abbey Murphy Is Hockey’s Viral Star and Could Be Hockey's Next Big Thing

Abbey Murphy isn’t just scoring goals—she’s making statements. In a January face-off between No. 3 ranked Minnesota and No. 12 Minnesota State, the senior captain pulled off a moment that felt straight out of a video game. With the puck in open ice, Murphy flipped it into the air, knocked it between a defender’s legs, and dished off a no-look pass to freshman Bella Fanale for an easy goal. The assist went viral. ESPN’s John Buccigross called it “the greatest assist of all time.” “Most people would never even think about doing that,” said Minnesota head coach Brad Frost. “Or have the courage to try.” Murphy did, and she nailed it. The trick wasn’t random either—it was inspired by a move from her summer training buddy Ryker Lee, a Nashville Predators prospect. But Murphy, now 23, isn’t new to the spotlight. She led the NCAA in goals (36 in 26 games) and also led in penalties (23) heading into the Olympics. Her game is a unique mix of elite skill, raw aggression, and unapologetic showmanship. She’s fast, physical, and unafraid to chirp. And she knows exactly what she’s doing. “To see women’s hockey get that recognition it deserves, obviously is a main reason why I try to do that kind of stuff,” Murphy said. “Just to be different and shine on a different stage.” A two-time Olympian already, Murphy skipped the 2025 PWHL draft to return to Minnesota for a final shot at a national title. She’s now among Team USA’s most dangerous forwards heading into Milan, and her teammates and coaches can’t stop talking about her. “Me being a coach here for 26 years, I don’t know of any other player like Murph,” said Frost. “I’ve kind of used the [Matthew] Tkachuk or [Brad] Marchand comparison, but I think that’s doing a disservice to Murph. She has the skill of a Connor McDavid and a chip similar to Marchand.” Murphy herself leans into the Marchand comparison. Taylor Heise, her Team USA linemate and 2024 PWHL Playoff MVP, agrees—sort of. “She calls herself the Brad Marchand of women’s hockey, but I think she’s more than that,” Heise said. “She’s a dynamic forward who can go scrummy into corners but also can toe drag you and make you look like a fool.” Murphy’s combination of grit and flair makes her tough to contain—and sometimes tough to officiate. Bodychecking is illegal in women’s hockey, but Murphy doesn’t shy away from contact. She’s built her game on toeing that line. Not everyone appreciates it. “Other teams have at least one or two people on their team that are told that you have to rattle Abbey,” Heise said. “But if you go at her, it’s all hands on deck. You better hope that your mom, your sister, whoever she knows about you, you’re done.” USA head coach John Wroblewski remembers his early skepticism. At a 2022 tryout camp, Murphy’s intensity was off the charts. “She was so far over the line that I was like we can’t bring this,” Wroblewski said. “Her intensity was so heavy. I didn’t know if she was going to hurt one of yours or the opponent.” She didn’t make the cut that year. But when she returned for the Rivalry Series, everything clicked. “Slowly and surely you get to understand the person behind all of this,” Wroblewski said. “She is fun to be around. She’s cool yet she’s got a degree of intensity, but honestly much more, laid back and chill. So considerate. It’s unbelievable that when she puts those skates and helmet on, she’s a different person.” Off the ice, Murphy is all respect and gratitude. Her linemates describe her as kind and loyal, the first to thank a teammate, the last to brag about herself. “She will do anything for you,” Heise said. “She is from a family where family is everything.” Murphy’s edge came early. She grew up in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, the daughter of a Marine and a trauma nurse. Her brothers played football and wrestled; no one in the house played hockey until Murphy saw a neighbor skating in their backyard. That was it. She was hooked. At 15, her dad gave her coach permission to call her out when she racked up bad penalties. “Sometimes I took it too far, absolutely,” Murphy said. “But I’d have Frosty there to yell at me or sit me if he had to.” That fire hasn’t gone away—it’s just matured. She scored five goals in Team USA’s sweep over Canada in the recent Rivalry Series, including the first American hat trick against Canada since Hilary Knight in 2023. And with the launch of the PWHL, players like Murphy are entering the Olympics sharper than ever. “The game has been elevated since four years ago,” said Jayna Hefford, the PWHL’s executive vice president of hockey operations. “And it’s going to be noticeable.” Murphy is in the mix to go first overall in the 2026 PWHL draft, but she’s not thinking about that now. She’s focused on winning. Her style? Fast, fierce, flashy—and fueled by a desire to make women’s hockey impossible to ignore. “I’m someone who likes to play with speed and a lot of tenacity and love to make plays and obviously score goals and stuff like that,” Murphy said. “But obviously you hear the other side, kind of that annoying agitator on the ice who honestly just does whatever it takes to win. That’s my game.”

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Texas Store Manager Saves Homeless Woman from Freezing on Her Birthday

As freezing rain and sleet battered Fort Worth, Texas during a recent winter storm, a homeless woman named Bobbi found herself in a life-threatening situation — cold, alone, and unable to move. But thanks to the quick thinking of a local store manager, she lived to tell the story. Faris Hussain, manager at Evans Food Mart, didn’t hesitate when a customer burst into the store and said a woman was lying outside, frozen. He rushed out to find Bobbi stiff from the cold, her body nearly frozen solid after spending the entire night outside. “She felt like a rock, as stiff as a rock,” Hussain said. “No matter which way you picked her up, her body was going to stay the same form.” Despite the difficulty, he managed to carry her inside, where she slowly began to warm up. Bobbi, barely able to speak, thanked him and the others who gathered to help. She explained she had spent the night trying to reach a warming shelter — only to find it had closed. It had also been her 50th birthday. “She tried crawling through the ice,” Hussain said, noting she had left her shoes behind because she couldn’t get them on. “It’s kind of like, ‘God was watching over you.’” Emergency crews arrived shortly after and took Bobbi to the hospital. She later reunited with Hussain, who had been captured on surveillance footage running to her aid. Bobbi expressed deep gratitude to everyone who helped her that day and hopes her story encourages others to act when someone is in need. As for Hussain, he’s not looking for praise. Helping people, he said, is just part of what he and his team try to do every day for their community.

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This UK Engineer Just Broke a World Record with His 234 mph Remote Control Car

A part-time engineer from Rugby has smashed the world speed record for remote control cars, hitting an astonishing 234.71 mph (377.7 km/h) with a custom-built machine he calls The Beast. Stephen Wallis, who works for Royal Enfield Motorcycles in Leicestershire, spent over a year designing the 1-meter-long car, built from 3D-printed parts and powered by four high-performance drone motors. "It goes back to when I was eight years old and got my first radio-controlled car," Wallis said, crediting a childhood obsession for the project’s origin. While he had publicly aimed for 200 mph (321.8 km/h), Wallis privately hoped to break 240 mph. He didn’t quite reach that mark, but his record-breaking run still eclipsed the previous top speed by over 16 mph. To put the feat in perspective, The Beast is faster than a McLaren F1 supercar. “The motors are bolted directly to the wheels, which are in turn bolted directly to the chassis,” Wallis explained. “That kept things simple mechanically, but the electronics were a real challenge.” He initially struggled to push the vehicle’s performance, so he went back to the drawing board to study brushless motor systems and unlock more speed. The breakthrough came just in time for a September meeting of the Radio Operated Scale Speed Association (ROSSA) at Llanbedr Airfield in North Wales, where the record was officially set. Along with a Guinness World Record certificate, Wallis earned another prize: a custom cap from ROSSA. As the new record holder, he got to pick the color scheme — neon green with black writing — inspired by his son's suggestion. “The car’s white, neon green, and pink so it’s visible at a distance,” Wallis said. “My son suggested neon green with neon pink writing, but that was a bit too garish.” With The Beast now in the record books, Wallis hasn’t said whether he’ll take another shot at 240. But he’s already proven one thing: childhood dreams, plus a bit of engineering know-how, can move at over 230 miles per hour.

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This Pennsylvania Teacher Just Turned Grief Into a Classroom Movement for Kindness

Kristina Ulmer never expected a stack of waitress tips to change her life — or the lives of hundreds of her students. In 2014, Ulmer lost her sister in a tragic car accident. When her family visited the crash site, they gathered her belongings. Among them: a wallet full of small bills, tips from a side job at a local diner. Ulmer didn’t know what to do with the cash at the time, so she tucked it away in a drawer. It sat there for four years. Then, in 2018, something clicked. Ulmer, an English teacher at Hatboro-Horsham High School near Philadelphia, was teaching Fahrenheit 451, the classic dystopian novel. She wanted her ninth-grade students to think more deeply about its themes — especially how to build a better society. That’s when she remembered the money. “My sister was always, always concerned with other people,” Ulmer said. “I wanted to do something with the money, and I realized I could use it to help students understand the power of kindness.” And so the $20 Kindness Challenge was born. Every semester since, Ulmer has given each student in her class $20 and asked them to use it to make the world better in whatever way they choose. Some students add their own money or pool it with classmates. Afterwards, they create a video explaining their project and what they learned. The results have been moving, creative, and deeply personal. Ninth-grader Ellie Goldsman used her share to make handmade bracelets for every student at a local elementary school, organizing them by grade. Victoria Kanoff donated to the nonprofit Glad Dogs Nation. Charlie Boyd, a tenth-grader, gave to Parkinson’s research in honor of his dad, who’s been battling the disease for over a decade. “It made us feel like we had a bigger impact than just our budget,” said sophomore Peter Linn. The project has had ripple effects far beyond Ulmer’s classroom. As word spread, donations began pouring in to keep the challenge going. Hundreds of students have now taken part, spreading small acts of kindness across their communities. Other teachers — like Amy Smith in Delaware — have reached out to learn how to start similar programs in their own schools. “One of the best takeaways for me was the way that the students described how they felt,” Smith said. “It made them light up.” For Ulmer’s students, the experience is more than just a school project. It’s a source of connection and meaning. “Being part of this community and this class that performed such a good thing for the world made her class a really welcoming space for me,” said tenth-grader Myah Morales Jones. As for Ulmer, the challenge has helped transform her grief into something hopeful. “Every time the kids are doing something, I see her being like, ‘yeah, that’s awesome,’” she said of her sister. “For the first time, I felt better. And every time the kids would share what they did, I felt a little better.” She still keeps a photo of her sister nearby. But now, she also has a growing collection of student videos, notes, and memories — proof that kindness can come from even the deepest heartbreak. “This next generation,” Ulmer said, “I don’t know, to me they’re gonna save the world.”

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Ontario Man Lands Mining Job at 54 After Putting His Resume on a Billboard

When Edward Clermont set out to become an underground miner at age 54, he didn’t just apply for jobs — he advertised himself on a billboard along Highway 17 in Sudbury, Ontario. That bold move paid off. Clermont, who lives in Kingston and has worked on oil rigs and in construction, recently landed a job at the Musselwhite gold mine in northwestern Ontario. He calls it his “dream job,” and it didn’t come through connections or a recruiter — it came from sheer determination and a little creativity. “I’ve always kind of challenged myself with different things in life,” Clermont said. “Just keep moving forward, keep learning, and keep doing things that I’m told I’m too old to do. Prove them wrong.” The billboard, which featured Clermont’s face and message to potential employers, quickly attracted attention — including from Cementation Canada, a major mining contractor. Clermont’s sincerity and persistence stood out in an industry where getting hired often depends on who you know. “I receive over 50 resumes a day,” said Joe Bell, Cementation’s training and recruitment manager. “But Ed seemed determined, sincere, and safety-conscious — so I passed his resume along.” It worked. Clermont is now starting a nine-month contract as a construction miner, doing demanding underground work like drilling, bolting, and blasting rock. He didn’t arrive at this moment by chance. Clermont first enrolled in the Underground Hard Rock Miner Common Core program at NORCAT in Sudbury, where trainees work in a functioning mine environment. There, he discovered just how much he enjoyed it. “It was quite the experience, and it really changed me,” Clermont said, recalling the rush of operating a jackleg drill for the first time. Still, he knew training was only half the battle. Mining is notoriously word-of-mouth, and several instructors at NORCAT encouraged him to get creative with his job search. Director Greg Major called the billboard “pretty amazing,” and said Clermont was the first student to try anything like it. Clermont says the idea came out of necessity. He knew his age might be seen as a disadvantage in such a physical job. But with mining companies across Canada facing worker shortages — and a growing number of employees aging out — Clermont saw an opportunity. In 2023, nearly one in five Canadian mining workers were 55 or older, according to the Mining Industry Human Resources Council. Meanwhile, the share of young workers under 25 has been steadily shrinking. “Simply put, we are not training enough students in the programs we need,” the council noted in a recent report. That makes skilled and motivated workers like Clermont increasingly valuable. And despite the physical demands, age isn’t a disqualifier. “We hire people in their 50s and 60s, and sometimes even in their 70s on a regular basis,” Bell said. “If they’ve got the skills and can do the work, we have plenty of opportunities.” Before his Musselwhite offer, Clermont took a job hauling rock at an open-pit mine near Cochrane. But he kept pushing for an underground role — what he calls “the ultimate challenge.” Now, as he gets ready to head deep underground, Clermont hopes to keep working in mining for at least another 15 years. “I get a lot of satisfaction out of knowing that I can, at this age, do something most people even half my age could never do,” he said. For others thinking of a midlife pivot, Clermont has some advice: take the leap — and don’t be afraid to make a little noise doing it.

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Tulsa Man Uses Vintage Fire Truck to Rescue Dozens in Winter Storm

When a winter storm swept through Tulsa last weekend, Ryan Duval didn't wait for someone else to step up. He grabbed the keys to a vintage fire truck he once bought just for fun — and started picking people up off the freezing streets. “I’m just doing what I was raised to do,” Duval said. “It’s good to give back, and now that I have the ability to do it, it’s nice.” Duval, a small business owner, spent hours driving around Tulsa offering warmth, rides, and supplies to people experiencing homelessness. By the end of the weekend, he estimates he helped nearly 70 people — transporting them to shelters, helping them get unstuck from snow and ice, or handing out basic necessities. The idea started when Duval delivered an electric heater to a mother and child living in a garage. As he left the neighborhood near 46th Street North, he noticed a man sitting alone in a park — wearing only a T-shirt and wrapped in a thin blanket. “I pulled over and said, ‘Hey man, do you want a ride to the shelter?’” Duval recalled. He told the man he’d be back after taking his own kids home. But when he returned with the fire truck, the man was gone. Duval searched the area and spoke to nearby police officers but never found him. “It just inspired me to keep going that night,” he said. “I went until about 3 or 4 in the morning.” That night turned into a weekend-long mission. Duval used his fire truck to shuttle people to warming centers across the city, including John 3:16 Mission, the Tulsa Day Center, and the Salvation Army. He said the response from shelters was immediate and welcoming. “It was nice to see the support from them,” Duval said. “Just people helping people.” The truck itself wasn’t meant for this. Duval had originally picked it up at an auction years ago and used it for birthday parties and local parades. “I never did, honestly,” he said, when asked if he imagined it would someday save lives. “Then it just kind of snowballed into this. I’m still in shock from it all, but it’s fun.” As word of his efforts spread, the community stepped in to help. Brandon Cox, owner of Only Okie Graffiti and Vintage Shop, quickly turned his storefront into a donation drop-off site for blankets and supplies. “He started going out and saving lives [of the] homeless people out in the freezing cold,” Cox said. “He started needing blankets, so we started accepting them up here at Only Okie.” What started as a simple act of kindness is now something more. For Duval, it’s no longer just a cool old truck — it’s a way to serve his neighbors when it matters most.

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Ina Forrest Chases History At Unprecedented Fifth Paralympics In Wheelchair Curling

When the tension is sky-high and a curling stone doesn’t curl the way it’s supposed to, Ina Forrest doesn’t flinch. She falls back on something she learned growing up in the tiny township of Spallumcheen, British Columbia: “Buck up. Be tough.” That grit has carried Forrest to the edge of history. When she takes the ice in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy this March, she’ll become the first person to compete in wheelchair curling at five Paralympic Games. And she’s not just showing up — she’s gunning for another medal. Now 63, Forrest has already won four Paralympic medals, including two golds (2010, 2014) and two bronzes (2018, 2022), plus three world championships. She was inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in 2016 and, just last year, the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame. But according to her coach, she’s never been better. “I think she’s the best version of herself that she’s ever been,” said Mick Lizmore, Canada’s head coach. “She’s more equipped to handle the pressure than she ever has been.” That’s not just talk. Lizmore, who has a background in sport psychology, sees it in how Forrest moves and plays — calmer, more focused, still just as competitive. She’s worked on her mental game as much as her shot-making, fine-tuning her ability to block out noise and lock in when it counts. “I've spent a lot of time practicing focus technique, so that once it's my turn for my shot, that's all I see,” Forrest said. She first learned the value of mental resilience not on the ice, but on her family’s homestead in rural B.C., where hauling water and building log houses were part of life. “You didn't fall apart and your emotions didn’t move,” she said. “That came through in sport. Being able to focus gets you through some of those times where maybe you would feel like you weren’t able to play.” In a sport where games can flip in a single end, that steadiness is a weapon. Forrest’s even-keeled presence has become a pillar for Team Canada, especially as the team heads into the Games with a mix of experience and new energy. The Canadian lineup includes skip Mark Ideson, third Jon Thurston, lead Collinda Joseph, and alternate Gilbert Dash. While Ideson returns for his third Paralympics, Dash will be making his debut, and this will be the first Games with spectators for Joseph and Thurston. “In crunch-time moments... you look to those athletes who’ve been there to provide a steadying, calming influence,” said Lizmore. Forrest embraces the pressure. “Just getting to Paralympics is an achievement every time,” she said. “The best version of yourself has to show up every game just to even have the opportunity.” Canada enters the tournament ranked second in the world, behind two-time defending champions China. Their opening game is set for March 7 against host nation Italy. They’ll also face the U.S., Great Britain, Sweden, Latvia, Slovakia, Korea, and China in the round robin. Canada is the only country to have medaled at every Paralympic wheelchair curling tournament. Forrest will throw second stones, but her leadership and voice carry the weight of experience. Even with all she’s achieved, the love for the game still burns. “I love competition. I love playing the sport. I love being around people that are also that interested in sport,” she said. “It’s always changing... an ever-changing chasing of something that you can always get better at.” And despite the years, Forrest keeps improving. “Watching old game tape, she seems a little more at ease out there than before,” Lizmore said. “Not any less caring — just a little more at ease.” She still feels the sting of missed shots or tough losses. But she’s trained herself to move on fast. That’s what makes her so good. And that’s why she’s still here, chasing greatness, one stone at a time.

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A 20-Acre Land Donation is Set to Boost Conservation and Salmon Restoration Efforts in California

A 20-acre parcel of coastal land in northern California is helping fuel long-term conservation efforts—and potentially aid in the return of once-thriving salmon runs. Dr. Gabrielle Levine donated the undeveloped property, located just east of Highway 1 in Albion, to the Mendocino Land Trust (MLT). The land features wooded areas, open meadows, and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Though it’s now listed for sale, the proceeds will go directly toward MLT’s Albion River Fund, supporting water access, habitat protection, and outdoor recreation. The donation was first reported by Lake County News. The land is currently being listed by Tracy Wolfson of Engel & Volkers. Levine’s donation comes at a time when California’s salmon populations are in sharp decline. According to the State Water Resources Control Board, chinook, coho, and steelhead salmon in the Albion River have “decreased substantially and continue to decline.” Efforts like this one aim to reverse that. Land trusts like MLT use conservation easements and outright purchases to permanently protect natural areas. That’s part of what’s needed to stabilize and eventually restore fish populations. "Her tireless advocacy, work, and innovation continue to benefit sensitive species and habitats in Mendocino County, and MLT is thrilled to partner with her in these efforts," said Matt Franks, the land trust’s protection manager, who worked directly with Levine on the gift. The Albion River, which flows through redwood groves and coastal hills before emptying into the Pacific, supports one of the region’s small remaining fisheries. But like many of California’s waterways, it’s been hit by warming temperatures, development, and habitat loss. In a public Facebook post, Levine wrote, “It feels great to take this big step towards calling back the salmon, estuary restoration and maybe even buying the headlands! Thank you to the Mendocino Land Trust, and to my partner Dan Gates for sharing the vision!” While the land itself will not remain under conservation protection, the funds raised from its sale will help support other efforts in the watershed. That includes restoration projects, riverbank stabilization, and potential acquisitions of more ecologically sensitive lands. MLT’s broader mission includes ensuring public access to nature and protecting sources of clean water. The group has conserved more than 16,000 acres across Mendocino County since it was founded in 1976. A recent example of the success of such efforts can be seen farther north. Just one year after the removal of four dams along the Klamath River, salmon have already been spotted returning to their historical breeding grounds—an encouraging sign for the ecosystems and tribal communities that rely on them. Franks praised Levine not just for the donation but for her past efforts as well: “Mendocino Land Trust is profoundly grateful not only for Gabrielle's generous donation to support our conservation work in the Albion area but also for the stewardship and restoration work she has done on this property and more broadly.” For MLT, donations like Levine’s are key to continuing that work. With funding from the land sale, the group plans to accelerate conservation efforts in the Albion River region—a step toward safeguarding water, wildlife, and natural beauty for generations to come.

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‘Losing My Sight Saved My Life’: He Quit Alcohol And Now Wins Medals In Blind Baseball

A Liverpool man who once drank up to four bottles of vodka a day has said losing his sight was the turning point that finally helped him quit alcohol. Ray Clements said he had been an alcoholic throughout his adult life, starting with his first drink at the age of 15. By his late 40s, he said his drinking had spiralled, fuelled by the pressure of caring for his parents, periods of homelessness, and what he described as an inability to cope with everyday life. “I just struggled with normal living and drink became the solution,” he said. That changed on his 49th birthday in 2021, when he woke up with blurred vision. After several weeks of fear and heavier drinking, he booked an appointment with an optician. Further tests later confirmed he had Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, a rare genetic condition that causes rapid and severe vision loss. He was registered blind in February 2022. Looking back, Clements said there had been clear warning signs about the severity of his drinking, including regularly consuming far more alcohol than those around him. “I’d be drinking nine glasses when my friends were on three,” he said. The period after his sight deteriorated was one of the darkest. “The thought of taking my life was very prevalent,” he said, describing how alcohol use increased as he tried to cope with the diagnosis. A close friend, who had begun alcohol addiction recovery, urged him to attend group therapy. Clements said that advice saved his life. “I don’t think this friend understands how he saved my life,” he said. At his first sessions, hearing others talk openly about loneliness, addiction, and the impact on families made an immediate difference. “It felt like I’d landed home, that I was with people who understood,” he said. The physical effects of withdrawal were severe at first. “We went to a cafe and I couldn’t hold a cup without shaking. Another lad looked at me and said ‘that’ll get better’, and it did,” he said. “It takes a while for the fog and tremors to stop. But the peace that came over me and the self-worth did build.” Two days after receiving his formal diagnosis in February 2022, Clements said he woke up next to a glass of vodka and made the decision to stop drinking immediately. “I’ve been clean and sober since 17 February 2022,” he said. “It boggles my mind how, but it’s a gift.” Now 53, Clements is assisted by his guide dog, Garson, and has rebuilt his life around sport and community work. He has taken up blind baseball and goalball, a team sport designed for people with visual impairments that relies on sound and touch on a tactile court. He has gone on to win medals representing Great Britain in blind baseball. “I know it sounds weird but probably the best thing to happen to me in the past 20 years was sight loss,” he said. Beyond sport, Clements has founded an organisation called Finding the Solution, which encourages people of all abilities to take part in physical activity. He said a key aim is helping sighted parents play sports alongside children with visual impairments. He has also helped establish the Liverpool group Help, which campaigns for affordable social housing, and has spoken in parliament about housing access and inequality. While he says daily life still comes with challenges, Clements believes his perspective has fundamentally changed. “I still struggle on a daily basis,” he said. “But I now face life from a different angle.”

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