Former President Barack Obama recently shared a heartfelt account of a distressing health scare that his baby daughter Sasha had to endure. At just three months old, Sasha was diagnosed with meningitis, an alarming diagnosis that left the Obama family in shock.
Michelle Obama also vividly recalls the terrifying ordeal. She remembers how Sasha’s condition deteriorated rapidly, transforming a cheerful and content baby into an inconsolable little one. The concerned parents wasted no time and rushed Sasha to the emergency room, where she was diagnosed with meningitis.
This challenging experience highlighted the critical role of accessible healthcare and reliable insurance. Michelle emphasized the significance of having the resources to tackle emergencies head-on, without the fear of financial burden.
Fortunately, thanks to the dedication and expertise of the healthcare professionals who cared for Sasha, she made a full recovery. Today, both Sasha and her sister, Malia, are leading healthy lives and pursuing their dreams and careers.
As we get older, it becomes increasingly important to value and prioritize our health. The Obama family’s experience with Sasha’s meningitis stands as a powerful reminder for all of us, especially those of us in the 45-65 age range.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on the significance of having access to comprehensive healthcare and how it can truly make a difference during times of crisis. Our health is a precious gift that deserves our utmost attention and care, and it’s never too late to make it a priority in our lives.
Remember, a healthy tomorrow starts with the actions we take today.

Rescue takes in severely matted dog who looks like a wig — today she’s unrecognizable
It’s truly remarkable the difference a haircut can make, especially for a dog. Many stray and neglected dogs go ungroomed, causing them distress as their fur becomes tangled and matted.
Recently, one stray dog was found with so much fur she “looked like a wig” — until a rescue gave her a life-changing makeover.
Mac’s Mission, a special needs dog rescue nonprofit based in Missouri, recently rescued a severely matted dog found in the middle of the road. The dog, now named Pear, was in terrible shape, completely covered in thick, matted fur.
The rescue wrote that Pear “didn’t even look like a dog” but rather “looked like a wig” — “just a wad of hair.”

The rescue took her in and a team of volunteers got to work helping Pear, giving her a “spa session” to remove all her dirty fur.
“We got her cleaned up, shaved down, and a bath to get rid of any grime and fleas,” rescue founder Rochelle Steffentold Newsweek. “She got settled into one of our spaces and fell asleep pretty quickly.”
Throughout the process, Pear was a patient good girl: “She was the sweetest and just sat there while we got all the terrible thick matts of her which took quite a while.”
She added that Pear thankfully did not have maggots in her fur, and said the dog was lucky she didn’t get hit by a car. However, Pear is missing an eyeball, apparently from an older injury.
Mac’s Mission shared photos of Pear before and after her treatment, showing a remarkable transformation:

“Pear has a new life ahead of her thanks to you all,” the rescue wrote on Facebook, thanking their supporters.
Pear looks beautiful — it’s hard to believe that it’s the same dog! Thank you to Mac’s Mission for giving this sweet dog a much-needed makeover!
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