【推荐2】Darius Brown’s passion for animals is matched only by his love of bow ties (蝴蝶领结), and the 12-year-old in Newark, New Jersey decided to combine the two into something useful. Brown’s organization, Beaux and Paws, dresses shelter pets up in fancy bow ties made by himself, so the animals can look good while seeking adoption.

Brown was diagnosed with comprehension delay, speech delay and fine motor skills delay when he was only two years old, and over time, his family encouraged his creativity as he developed his love for animals and fashion.

His mother, Joy Brown, and sister Dazhai Brown Shearz noticed a breakthrough for Brown when he turned eight while his sister was admitted to a cosmetology school. There, he began to cut materials and learned to sew to help make his sister hair ribbons.

“With his fine motor skills delay, he wasn’t able to really use his hands well—tying a shoe was challenging,” Brown-Shearz said. “My mother and I came up with the idea that if he helped us with things like preparing the ribbon or cutting it and sewing materials together, it would help him. And it did—it worked!”

Shortly after, Brown began making his own bow ties and wore one nearly every day. Strangers would stop Brown to ask him where they were sold. It was then that Beaux and Paws achieved success. Brown has since donated hundreds of bow ties to animal shelters throughout the country and is now in the process of fundraising to provide even more of them for dogs and cats who are looking for a home.

The young businessman has even been acknowledged by a famous leader, who sent him a letter speaking highly of him for his work. “Dear Darius,” the letter began. “After hearing your story, I wanted to reach out to commend you for your commitment to community service. From founding Beaux and Paws to lifting up the lives of those around you, it’s clear you are doing your part to look out for your fellow citizens.”

【推荐2】Carl Allamby started his car repair business at 19, working alone in a garage (汽车修理厂). Over the years it had grown into two shops, but Allamby wanted something more. At first, he thought that meant growing his business even further. So at 34, Allamby decided to go for his bachelor’s degree (学士学位) in business management. After taking classes part-time over the next five years, Allamby was told he had to take biology (生物学) to get his degree.

Biology class reawakened Allamby’s childhood dream. He remembered the feeling of wanting to be a doctor back when he was younger.

Born in East Cleveland, Ohio, Allamby and his five sisters and brothers were raised by their stay-at-home mother and a father who sold home goods door to door. “That didn’t pay so well,” Allamby says.

Growing up in an African American neighborhood, he faced many difficulties. His school didn’t offer advanced science classes. Even if it had, doing well in school could get him into trouble. “Sometimes you wouldn’t carry your books home because other kids would laugh at you,” Allamby says. So he gave up thoughts of becoming a doctor and chose to fix cars.

With his family’s support, Allamby decided to take science classes he’d need to become a health care worker. Becoming a doctor when he would be nearly 50 years old seemed crazy. He would instead become a nurse.

But Allamby’s chemistry teacher stopped him after class one day. “Carl,” he said, “you’re like the oldest student here. What’s your end game?”

Allamby told him how he’d like to become a doctor but it would be better to have a smaller goal.

“Why not a doctor?” the teacher asked. “You have a great intuition (直觉) for the work. You will go a long way.”

He was right. Allamby did well in all his courses. So in 2015, Allamby started at Northeast Ohio Medical University. In 2019, at age 47, Carl Allamby became a doctor, and took a job in emergency (急诊) medicine at Cleveland Clinic Akron General.

【推荐3】When it comes to inspiring a generation of athletes, Alice Tai takes some beating. Partly because of her super abilities as a Paralympian swimmer—the 24-year-old is a world and European champion. But mostly it is because of her powerful back story.

She was born with clubfoot(畸形足).She spent much of her childhood in a wheelchair due to 14 major surgeries before the age of 12. Alice learned to swim aged eight but it was not until October 2010 - when she could be classed as a disability swimmer—that things changed for her. She impressed scouts(星探)who persuaded her family to fund a trip to Sheffield for a competition.

“It literally snowballed from there,” she said. “I went to my first Europeans in 2014, then the Paralympics in Rio. I ended up winning gold.” As she found acceptance, Alice’s self-belief rose. By 2019, she’d become a world champion and record holder in seven different swimming disciplines. I was more confident and comfortable within myself,“ she said.

“When I stepped up to the pool, every athlete there had a disability. I was finally around people who fully understood me, which changed my mind. I started to love myself.” Still, Alice would continue to find herself in extreme pain, particularly in her right leg. “I cried sometimes, With a mixture of pain and frustration. My ankle was completely non-functional. It just seemed really silly that it was still there. So, as soon as I had the first meeting with the doctors and they agreed on my operation, I saw a better future for myself.”

The surgery took place last year, successful. Waking up after the surgery, Alice felt she’d ended a nightmare. “As soon as I came around, I didn’t have that pain anymore.” she said. “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to stop, but learning how to dance in the rain,” the Mirror reported later.