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Here's What You Should Know About These 5 Common Medical Emergencies

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Disclaimer: I became an EMT the summer before my freshman year of college and was certified in Connecticut and New York. I was also nationally registered, and am currently working on my certification in Massachusetts. There are a lot of things that you, as a bystander, can do to aid in a medical emergency. But if you act blindly, or based on something you saw in a movie or on TV, you could cause further damage. 

You may have reached this point in your life without facing a medical emergency, but there’s a good chance that you won’t live your whole life that way. Medical emergencies happen every day, anywhere, to all kinds of people, and if you ever find yourself in a life or death situation you may make snap decisions if you don’t have any experience. Reacting on instinct, or based on a fictitious plotline you saw last week, could further hurt who you’re trying to help, and you could even end up in need of assistance as well. 

We all love our weekly dose of Grey’s Anatomy, but have you ever been involved in a true medical emergency? Did you know how to react? We all love those memes where someone calls for a doctor and you step forward thanks to your twelve years of Grey’s "training,” but it’s easy to forget that what happens on TV or in our fantasies is not reality. If somebody calls for help, 9-1-1 should always be the number one step.

Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning is highly common among the first-year collegiate population, but that doesn’t mean it can’t affect somebody at the bar on a Friday night or at Sunday’s football game. If you’re with somebody that has been drinking heavily and they pass out, you should never lay them down to “sleep it off.” Alcohol toxicity can lead to intense confusion, seizures, cyanosis (blue-tinted skin, especially lips or fingertips), slow breathing, low body temperatures and unconsciousness. It’s a common misconception that all one needs is sleep; if they’ve overdosed on alcohol, they could get sick and choke or fall into a state of hypothermic shock if no one is there to catch it. Not seeking medical attention if you can’t wake them could kill them. And for those still in college and afraid of repercussions: Most schools have policies in place that protect you if you call for help.

Seizures

There are a couple of common misconceptions about aiding somebody who is seizing, such as sticking a wallet in their mouth or holding them down. The need for a bite block generally stems from the myth that the individual could swallow their tongue, but that’s impossible. And if you try to pry open their clenched jaw, you could injure them or yourself. In fact, it’s possible that they could bite your finger off, as they have no control over their jaw. You could also cause injuries to the individual or yourself if you attempt to hold them stationary while they’re seizing.

When somebody is seizing, it’s important to try to cushion their body and roll them onto their side (so that they don’t choke if they vomit), but you shouldn’t try to constrict them at all. Individuals living with epilepsy often have medical bracelets on that ask for any bystanders to refrain from calling an ambulance, but if you don’t know if an individual has epilepsy, or if a seizure lasts for more than five minutes, it’s always better to be on the safe side. Head injuries, alcohol poisoning, drug overdoses, and certain prescription drugs or drug and alcohol combinations can lead to seizures, too.

Cardiac Arrest

Heart attacks can be caused by any number of things, from drugs to arterial blockages to undiagnosed congenital heart defects, and can happen to anyone. While it doesn’t happen regularly, congenital heart defects have been known to take the lives of young athletes, even children, while playing their sport. Because of age in instances like this, cardiac arrest is not always the first suspect, but 100-150 young athletes die in the US every year according to research published by the American Heart Association. Gender also plays a role in heart attacks; while the knowledge that they often present differently in women has become more commonly known in recent years, many people still overlook symptoms in women because they’re looking for the wrong thing. We expect the description of an elephant sitting on their chest, but women are more likely than men to feel that pain elsewhere, either instead of or in addition to, including their jaw, arm, or neck and back.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are found in most public buildings, but do you know how to use one? They come with instructions on them, and most have auditory instructions once you have them in place and activated, but in the heat of action when someone is in cardiac arrest, having to stop and take the time to follow the instructions as you’re going can mean life or death for the victim. Taking the time to familiarize yourself with the AED when there is not an emergency occurring could save somebody’s life, from the placement of the pads next to and beneath the heart to how a woman in a wired bra could be burned.

CPR is also going to be a necessity in trying to save someone’s life; it keeps oxygen moving to the brain and may be able to induce the heart’s rhythm to be successfully corrected by an AED. If there is no rhythm at all, there’s little to no chance of saving someone. Another thing you may not know is that, when done correctly, CPR can crack the ribcage. It’s not uncommon to hear and feel that occurring as you are performing CPR if you’re doing it right, about two inches deep with the heel of your hand. The American Heart Association and the Red Cross both offer basic CPR courses, which can teach you exactly what to do.

Head Injuries

When somebody has been in an accident or slips and falls, your first instinct may be to help the victims up as soon as you can, but if the environment does not present a danger to keep them as they are it’s important to do so until emergency personnel arrive. While an individual may appear fine after a crash or a tumble, they could have a neck, head or spinal injury that could be aggravated by moving them. EMTs will want to check their pupils before moving them, to gauge if their brain could be bleeding, and will use backboards, KEDs (a seated extraction device), and straps to keep them stable. It’s important to keep somebody that has hit their head from rolling, standing or even turning to look at something.

Bleeding

Deep wounds can come about from kitchen accidents, car crashes or fights, and it can be difficult to get heavy bleeding under control. In nearly any show or movie with an injury like this, a bystander immediately rips off a bit of his shirt or takes off his tie or belt and creates a tourniquet. In actuality, a tourniquet should be the last resort. If a medical professional is not nearby to control the bleeding and remove the tourniquet, it could lead to the need for an amputation. Tourniquets cut off circulation almost completely, and can kill the limb if left on for too long. A hunk of cloth and immense pressure on the wound should always be the first step (after making sure 911 has been called).

You may live your life without ever being on the frontline of a medical emergency, but there’s a good chance you won’t. We’re not suggesting you run out and become an EMT, but we do suggest educating yourself about emergency response; bystanders are the first line of defense between a medical emergency and medical professionals. They’re usually the ones calling 911 (which should always be your first step), and they can be the ones that initiate the steps to saving somebody’s life before professionals arrive on scene. But you can only be an effective active bystander if you make yourself aware of the most common medical emergencies and the things you have the power to do when involved in one. EMT classes are easily accessible if that’s something you’re interested in, but they can be long and expensive. First Aid and CPR courses can usually be completed in a day, and are often offered by local fire stations, hospitals, or alongside EMT courses, and are packed with the information you need to become an active bystander.


This Scholarship Will Help Make Your Creative Career Path Dreams Come True

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If you’re looking to pursue a career that requires some creative skill in an exciting field, there’s a perfect opportunity out there to give you a boost. Inspired by the first female copywriter who revolutionized the creative advertising industry, J. Walter Thompson’s Helen Lansdowne Resor Scholarship gives five female students the chance to follow in her footsteps.

Winning the scholarship gets you up to $10,000; a paid internship at JWT, a leading advertising agency; a personal mentor; and a “first look” for placement upon graduation. And the best part? Applying is easy. All you need to do is provide a short personal statement, a letter of recommendation, and show off your talent in a few work samples.

Wonder how winning this award could pave the right path for you? Some past recipients shared thoughts on their learning experiences and success. Here’s what they had to say:

They are ambitious to make a difference. Limah Taeb, a 2016 recipient for North America said the scholarship made her “feel empowered to pursue opportunities that help [make] a positive impact on the industry and the world.”

They have the confidence to believe the possibilities are limitless. Along with sparking change, the scholarship aims to represent women of diverse academic backgrounds. Yanci Wu, 2016 recipient for Asia Pacific, had an important message for all: “I would like to tell international, minority, and female students that nothing and no one can prevent us from achieving anything besides our own doubt and fear.”

They have proper guidance. “I think it is a crucial part for anyone who is trying to figure out their career path to have someone they look up to and can learn from,” said Nadia Izazi, 2015 recipient for North America, reflecting on mentors that made her stronger. “I heard about how crazy it could be working in an advertising agency… But it was not like how I expected at all. My team was the most supportive people I have ever worked with.

They have a vision for the future. 2016 Europe recipient Manuela Róndon said the journey allowed her to focus her energy on living and exploring as part of the creative process. And to put it quite simply, Tasneem Karamallah, 2016 recipient for Middle East and Africa, said having the opportunity will continue to push her further.

The deadline for applications is May 14. Don’t miss your chance to be #TheNextHLR – click here to learn more about the program and apply now!

4 Ways to Be Productive After Work

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After an epically long day at work, all you would like to do is relax and give in to a Netflix marathon. While lounging on the couch for the rest of the evening is super tempting (and sometimes, much needed!), it isn’t totally productive. We’re not saying you need to write a novel overnight or start a side-gig-turned-new-company, but wouldn’t it be nice to work on some personal projects or accomplish goals that you always say you’ll do? Here are a few of the best ways to stay productive after work.

1. Unplug

First things first: zero technology. No emails. No Insta. No social media. No TV. Just you. We know how difficult this can be  (Shonda nights cannot be missed). With social media, constant emails, and Tinder updates always buzzing around us, focus becomes nearly impossible. If personal peace of mind won’t convince you to take a break, then maybe this will: A study conducted by TNS Research and Hewlett Packard determined that when employees are distracted by emails and texts, they suffer a larger IQ drop than if they'd smoked marijuana. Eliminating distractions can make you more aware and alert, which are two great factors for starting a new project.

Obviously, unplugging from technology every evening is unrealistic (especially for the social media obsessed), so maybe try doing it even just one night out of the work week. If you really do enjoy some television or web surfing every night, challenge yourself to do something else first. Give mom or dad a call before turning on a show. Read for an hour before Grey's Anatomy comes on. Check in with your roommate or, if you live alone, check in with yourself! Take time for yourself to journal and reflect on your day.

Related: 10 Things Your Mother Didn't Tell You About Being an Adult

2. Spend time on a hobby and/or goal

If it were up to us, Netflix would be an actual hobby. But instead of devoting hours of your life to One Tree Hill reruns (just us?), why not learn a new skill? Cooking, public speaking, poetry writing, ballet; the list goes on and on. Why not sign up for one of these weekly classes? We guarantee you can make time to pick up a hobby just once a week. You can make new friends, pick up a great new skill, and have a blast. Sites like meetup.com and Yelp are perfect for discovering new classes and meeting new people. 

3. Work out

One of the biggest struggles with being productive is combating fatigue and maintaining a substantial level of energy after work. That’s where fitness comes in! Following a consistent fitness regime can boost your creativity, confidence and resilience, both at work and in your personal life. More importantly, when you exercise, you are increasing blood flow to the brain, which can help sharpen your awareness and get you ready to tackle your next big project. Kara, a PR assistant, says that working out right after work prevents her from hitting the couch immediately: “Even though I’m usually tired after work, I always force myself to go to the gym or do some type of activity, because the second I get home I will lie on my couch and never leave.” 

4. Clean

A clean space equals a clear mind. Who knew, right? If you tend to leave a trail of clothes as you come home from work, try to put those items up and away as soon as you walk through the door. And take the extra few minutes to make your bed in the morning! When you come home to a messy place, it may take a toll on your mood, sleep, health, and more. Clutter can be so distracting that research confirms it can actually affect your ability to focus; looking at multiple things overloads your visual cortex and interferes with your brain’s ability to process information. So, the more organized you are, the more productive and efficient you are.

As annoying as it may seem to "do more" after your 9-to-5, working on projects you really love (and taking the steps to make time for them) is key to accomplishing what you want and staying productive after work—and throughout your life.

I’m Disappointed by the Way 'Moonlight' Won

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By Lena Gilmour

The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Whether you watched the Oscars Sunday night or not, you’ve probably heard about that big finale. In the eighty-nine years that Hollywood has dazzled us with its yearly tribute to the best in film productions of the year, we’ve never seen something like what happened this time around. The Best Picture mistake seems to be all people are interested in discussing about Sunday’s awards show. 

The moment was pretty cringe-worthy. The entire team of La La Land assembled excitedly onstage only to discover they weren’t the winners after all. There was a lot of sympathy for the La La Land cast and crew, and for good reason: the great honor they thought they were being awarded was snatched away. But I think it’s more important that an apology is extended to Moonlight.

Though I was thrilled that Moonlight, a film that actually shows the diversity Hollywood often shies away from, won, I was disappointed and frustrated by the way it happened. 

Though I understand that the mistake was a complete fluke, I’m still upset. It’s just unfortunate that the mistake had to happen this year, at a time when diversity in films is so important and still so rare. Moonlight’s win should have been a time of celebration and a huge stride forward for equality in Hollywood. Instead, it’s been turned into a tabloid story. People are too busy talking about the major faux-pas that happened Sunday night to see the implications of the win.

A lot of people said this year that we’re far away from last year’s “Oscars So White,” because of the number of nominations this year that featured people of color. There were jokes at the Oscars Sunday night about this idea that “racism is over” because of the change in the diversity of the nominees, pointing out that there is still a great amount of work that needs to be done.

The diversity seen among the nominees and winners of this year’s Oscars is something to celebrate. It should be seen as a sign that Hollywood is beginning to take steps towards becoming more inclusive. That’s what makes the way Moonlight won so much more disappointing.

A Best Picture award going to a film like Moonlight should have just been a celebration rather than a hot piece of gossip. Though the Academy has made apologies not only to La La Land but also to the cast and crew of Moonlight, Sunday night’s ending left a bit of a bad taste.

At the end of the day, it was a mistake that could have been made by anyone. It wasn’t an intentional strike against Moonlight or even La La Land. It’s just unfortunate that the attention is being focused on something other than the Best Picture itself.

VS Angel Maria Borges Is the New Face of L’Oréal Paris

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A regular on the coveted Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway, Maria Borges has just become the new spokesmodel for internationally acclaimed makeup brand L’Oréal Paris. Maria has been modeling since 2010, and has represented several other brands, like Chanel and Givenchy, but made headlines last year for being the first model to walk on the VS runway with her natural hair.

 

A post shared by MARIA BORGES (@iammariaborges) on

In a statement, the model explained, "I believe in the beauty of diversity and the empowering message that a girl who started from the bottom can be an international beauty symbol and be living proof that our dreams are valid, and the future ahead of us is bright." I’m not crying, you’re crying.

This announcement comes alongside L’Oréal’s UK campaign that included several influencers of diverse body types, ethnicities, and abilities.

Will other brands follow suit in the push for diversity and inclusion in the beauty sphere?

Gary from Chicago Was Released from Prison Just Three Days Before the Oscars

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Before the mind-blowing last few minutes of the 2017 Academy Awards, Jimmy Kimmel inviting a tour bus group into the Oscars was definitely the highlight of the night. Gary from Chicago and his fiancée Vickie Vines selfie’d their way into every Hollywood star’s heart and were even unofficially married by Denzel Washington. Now, Us Weekly reports that our new favorite internet celebrity, Gary Alan Coe, was released from prison only three days before appearing on the Oscars. Well, that took a quick turn.

In a phone interview with ABC7, Gary admitted he just got out of prison after serving 20 years for “multiple felonies.” However, it seems that he’s definitely changed his ways and is grateful for where he is today. “Change is possible,” Gary said. “It’s a sad day to be in prison for 20 years and not be able to be a dad, granddad to your children…[My son] said he’s proud of me. So to hear your children say that they’re proud of me means the world to me.”

Gary and Vickie met during his sentence (though it's unclear how), but he says he owes his change to finding both her and religion. Although Chicago staples like the Bulls basketball team reached out to him after he gave the city a shout-out on TV, we’re wondering if this news about Gary will change the internet’s opinion about this latest viral hit.

Starbucks Has Added 2 New Drinks to its Menu For Spring

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Starbucks knows you need something special for every season, and we've long had Pumpkin Spice Lattes in the autumn, Gingerbread Lattes and Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccinos in the summer. But what about spring? Don't worry—Sbux is on it with two new drink options for the season that's never really had a signature drink. Spring weather is too unpredictable to commit to a hot or a cold drink for the whole season, so the two new additions to the Starbucks menu will be available in either iced or hot form.

Time to get ready for the Cinnamon Almondmilk Macchiato and the Coconut Milk Mocha Macchiato!

The Cinammon Almondmilk Macchiato is made of espresso, almond milk, and cinnamon syrup, topped with caramel syrup and cinnamon spice.

The other drink, the Coconut Mocha Macchiato, is made with espresso, coconut milk and white chocolate mocha sauce, topped with caramel and mocha sauces. This drink was first introduced last summer as only an iced drink, and now it’s making its return—as a hot drink as well.

These drinks will be available all spring long—ready for whatever weather may occur.

Donald Trump Will Support HBCUs and Call for EPA Review in Executive Order

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In an upcoming series of executive orders signed today, President Donald Trump will “bolster historically black colleges and universities” and “instruct a review of the Waters of the U.S. Rule” by the EPA, CBS News reports. Before you get excited that our presidential administration might be acknowledging the truth of climate change, the second order is not what it seems—I’ll get to that later.

As for the support of HBCUs? Does this strike anyone else as odd? Given Trump’s history with communities of color (the rise in hate crimes after the election, Trump’s cabinet, his KKK fanboys and Steve Bannon, to name just a few examples), he’s likely trying to do damage control. It’s not unreasonable to presume that Donald Trump thinks he can solve America’s problems of systemic and insidious racism with moves like these, either.

Trump’s upcoming order will reposition the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, which was started under the Carter administration, at the White House, rather than the Department of Education.

This will give the initiative more “visibility,” which will apparently urge other interested groups to partner with it. I’m not sure that’s accurate, especially under this White House, but okay. According to a senior White House official, the HBCU order is also an attempt to “[boost] Trump’s ‘urban agenda.’” Um. Let me know what y’all think of that one.

The EPA review is, you guessed it, too good to be true. This order calls for the Environmental Protection Agency to go over the Waters of the U.S. Rule, which is legislation modified under former President Obama that sought to protect, maintain and clean water in the U.S. “By reviewing the regulation, the administration can begin to pick it apart and weaken it,” according to a CNN report.

This isn’t surprising, given Trump’s views on climate change and other environmental threats like the Dakota Access Pipeline. I can only hope that someone in government sees reason and has the power to harness the checks and balances system to ensure that these changes are for everyone’s benefit (including the environment’s).


Emma Watson Wore Rose-Shaped Braids to the Beauty and the Beast Premiere & It Was Enchanting

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Emma Watson went full princess for the London premiere of Disney’s live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast, donning a gorgeously demure Emilia Wickstead gown. Coupled with naturally rosy makeup and an updo that brings to mind none other than Belle herself, Emma stunned on the red carpet with her leading man, Dan Stevens.

Speaking of that updo, take a closer look:

 

A post shared by Emma Watson (@___emwatson___) on

The braids are shaped into little rosebuds. ROSEBUDS! As if she wasn’t already close enough to being an actual Disney princess.

This magical updo was conjured up by British hairstylist Jenny Harling, who coincidently (or not) was also the stylist for the Harry Potter movies!

I can’t wait to see what Belle tributes Emma has in store for the rest of her premiere tour… Rose-shaped dress, anyone?

Trump Blames Obama for White House Leaks and Anti-Republican Protests

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In an interview with Fox News, Donald Trump asserted multiple times that former President Barack Obama is responsible for leaks from the White House and anti-Republican protests that have been forming at local town halls across the country recently, CNN reports.

After an interviewer asked whether Trump believed Obama was somehow orchestrating the leaks and whether this went against “‘the so-called unsaid presidents’ code,’” Trump responded that he did, in fact, believe Obama was to blame. He also said “‘that’s politics.’”

Trump provided, predictably, no evidence to back up these accusations. The interview doesn’t cover what exactly these leaks are, or how they are actually taking place. Perhaps by leftover staffers? Hidden cameras? Child spies? I don’t know. No one knows. Alternative facts! I can’t keep up.

“I think that President Obama is behind it because his people are certainly behind it. And some of the leaks possibly come from that group, which are really serious because they are very bad in terms of national security,” Trump added. Really serious. Very bad. Could he be any more vague? He doesn’t know either!

As for the protests that have been taking places at town halls hosted by Republican officials, Trump thinks these are deliberate ploys by the former president as well. This is basically an utter misinterpretation of the actual facts on Trump and his administration’s behalf.

A number of progressive and left-leaning political groups have been helping to organize protests at the town halls, some of which have leadership that was involved in the Obama administration. “Organizing For Action, the SEIU, MoveOn.org and the Center for American Progress” are part of these efforts, according to CNN.

Trump’s accusations are likely in reference to the involvement of Organizing for Action, which has specific ties to the Obama administration. According to NBC News, the group is chaired by former Obama campaign manager Jim Messina and advocates for the maintaining of policies from Obama’s presidency.

I might be missing something here, but isn’t this group just doing what it is supposed to do? It’s not as if these protesters are being paid, they’re just getting help organizing and coordinating from a group with experience and the resources to aid them.

It makes sense that a Democratic-leaning group of individuals would be supporting Democratic policies, and to suggest that Barack Obama et al. should give up on their political positions just because they no longer have the power of office is discrediting of the American political system and political debate as a whole.

I don’t see how this is problematic. Things might be more clear to me if Donald Trump himself had a legitimate stance on these issues beyond just using unnecessary adverbs.

Corinne Might Skip 'Bachelor in Paradise' Because She's Holding Out for Her Own Show

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Bachelor fans, rejoice—our favorite villain may not be gone for good.

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Corinne Olympios was eliminated on Monday’s episode of The Bachelor after hometowns. While she broke down in tears after being sent home, only to curl up in the limo for a nap, Corinne says she’s over Nick. “It’s in the past. The feelings are done,” she says in an interview with Glamour.

And Corinne doesn't have any regrets about her experience on the reality show. “I have no regrets. I really don’t. I’m really happy with the way the season went for me.”

She already has high hopes for her next relationship, too. “It’s very important for me to feel important. Because in my past relationships, I haven’t felt so important. I just feel like us women need to realize that we do deserve to be put up on a pedestal,” she says.

Will this next relationship be on Bachelor in Paradise? With fellow villain, raw sweet potato-eating Chad?

Not so fast. Corinne claims she’s hesitant to join Paradise because she's holding out for her own spotlight.

“I just feel like I need my own show,” she says. “Sorry, just putting it out there.”

According to Corinne, there have been talks of her own show (Keeping Up with Corinne? The Real Corinne of Miami?). “America wants Corinne because I made America Corinne again,” she explains.

But if that plan fails and she does decide to head to Paradise, she won't be going alone. Cheese pasta master Raquel might make the trip as well. “I’ll invite her if I’m invited. Yeah, that’d be really cute.”

9 Models & Social Media Stars Who Celebrate Body Diversity

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Monday marked the beginning of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, and here at Her Campus, we're celebrating some of the most passionate and outspoken voices in the fashion industry. These women are not afraid to challenge traditional beauty standards, and are inspiring millions of others to love themselves for who they every single day.

1. Ashley Graham 

When she's not killing it on the swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated, Ashley is spreading body positivity and encouraging fans to love their bodies, no matter what size or shape.

2. Emily Bador 

 

A post shared by e m i l y bador (@darth_bador) on

This 20-year-old British icon shared her body insecurities and called out the fashion industry on Instagram with the caption "I've always had a few body image issues, but since becoming a model, they've skyrocketed. At work, I've always felt like I didn't belong, I've always been short, and mixed race. We have to call on this system to change. We need diversity. All bodies, differently abled, shaped, coloured, sized, gendered and aged."

3. Madeline Stuart 

This NYFW model doesn't let her Down syndrome stop her from achieving her dreams. 2017 is looking bright for Madeline, who just launched her own fashion line, 21 Reasons Why—a nod to the extra chromosome that causes trisomy 21.

4. Chrissy Teigen 

Chrissy Teigen proved to millions of fans that yes, even celebrities have stretch marks! If only more people embraced their so-called "flaws."

5. Winnie Harlow 

After being bullied for her harmless skin condition called vitiligo, Winnie was forced to drop out and become homeschooled. Since then, she's grown to be a force to be reckoned with in the fashion world, surpassing a million Instagram followers and becoming the face of fashion label Desigual.

6. Rebekah Marine 

 

A post shared by Rebekah Marine (@rebekahmarine) on

Nicknamed "The Bionic Model", Rebekah was born without her right arm. Facing any challenges with an infectious sense of humor, Rebekah doesn't let anything get in the way of reaching her goals. After walking two New York Fashion Weeks, she's paving the way for other paraplegics in the industry.

7. Marquita Pring 

Marquita is pushing for more body diversity in fashion lines, saying, "The reality is starting to finally sink in for [the fashion industry] and they're realizing that there’s so much more money to be made, and these women are demanding it. If you're size 6, 8, 10—those women need to see aspirational images and things that they can be inspired by..."

8. Megan Jayne Crabbe

 

"Wait so you just decided to RUIN your body?" Nah, I just stopped torturing myself every day for not fitting an image I was never supposed to be. · "But you look so much healthier to me before." That's funny, you looked so much more intelligent to me before you equated health with weight and forgot that mental health is health too. · "You could have stayed the same and loved your body, you didn't need to get fat." I could have stayed the same and spiralled back into the eating disorder that almost killed me when I was 15. I could have kept starving myself and obsessively working out for hours everyday but it never would have lead me to self love. No matter how much weight I lost there was always still something to hate. And sure, people don't NEED to gain weight to find their self love, this is just what my body needed to do to match up to my mental freedom. THIS IS MY HAPPY BODY. · "But surely you can't be happy looking like that now, I could never be happy in that body." I didn't think I could either, but as it turns out, happiness isn't a size. And I wasted far too many years believing that it was. Now I'm not going to stop letting people know that they deserve happiness exactly as they are. They deserve to live now, not 10 pounds from now. They deserve that mental freedom. So to every person reading this: I hope you get your freedom too, however it might look. I'll be cheering you on every step of the way. P.s. these are all comments I received on my last before/after picture, luckily for me, they just make me want to keep going even more

A post shared by Megan Jayne Crabbe (@bodyposipanda) on

Megan, aka @bodyposipanda on Instagram, is an eating disorder survivor and body positivity advocate. She captions every post with an inspirational message colored by her personal experience, and will always leave you feeling happy and confident.

9. Justine Clarke

Justine is the first Miss World contestant to compete in a wheelchair, and she's fighting to make disability visible everywhere, starting with beauty pageants. She is a world-class boss.

If you or someone you know is struggling with disordered eating, you can find information and help on the NEDA website or by calling 1 (800) 931-2237.

7 Ways To Enjoy Spring Break When You’re Stuck At Home

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According to every cliché teen movie out there, spring break is meant to be all about teeny bikinis, booze and a wild trip to Panama City Beach. Although that may be the grand plan for some of your friends, your wallet probably says otherwise. Don’t be too bummed! Contrary to popular belief, spring break can be just as fun at home as it is on a trip (and think of all the money you won’t have to spend!). We spoke to a few collegiettes who are taking a hard pass on the sprang break festivities in favor of a relaxing, budget-friendly spring vacation. Here are seven ways you can enjoy one of your own!

1. Take a hike (literally)

Spring break is the perfect time to get reacquainted with the great outdoors after spending week after week in the classroom. Kaylee Sye, a sophomore at Augustana College, wants you to channel your inner nature-lover this spring break.

“If you are on a budget for spring break, I would recommend spending as much time outdoors as possible,” she says. “After being crammed in your dorm and library studying all the time, it’s relaxing to get some fresh air.”

Luckily, fresh air is free, so take some time to hop on a bike, explore your surroundings and enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer. “Something fun to do would be to visit a nearby state park where you can hike or simply go to a forest preserve near your house to walk or ride a bike,” Kaylee says. If you can, make it your goal to spend more time outdoors than indoors this spring break!

2. Work work work work work work (out)

Let’s be real. When is the last time you were able to get a good workout in? If it seems like literally forever ago, then take advantage of your break and get to work! Walk, run, bike, swim or play a game—there are so many inexpensive ways to get your heart rate going and the sweat flowing. If something fast-paced is totally not your speed, then take a yoga mat outside and do some pilates or downward dogs and chaturangas. Find your inner Zen!

Don’t forget to get creative and fun with your workout—it is spring break, after all! Dust off your old rollerblades or jump rope if you’re looking to switch things up a bit. You’ll be releasing so many feel-good endorphins that it won’t matter that you’re not partying it up in a hotel.

3. Get some much-needed “me time”

Between going from classes to work, athletics, the library, etc., the amount of spare time you have for luxuries such as shaving your legs or reading a book for fun is next to none. Norris Goldflies, a junior at the University of Illinois at Chicago, wants you to get in some valuable “me time.”

“Where do I start? Hibernate. Catch up on self-care. Finally tackle that to-do list (don’t act like you don’t have one). Revisit that hobby you had to say goodbye to after winter break. Binge-watch as much stuff as you can!” Norris says. “Most of all, just focus on yourself instead of your classes.”

It’s your spring break, so take some time for you. Listen to music, pick up a journal, paint your nails and go ahead, open up Netflix—there are tons of inexpensive ways out there to treat yo’ self.

4. Unleash your inner photographer

You don't need a fancy spring break trip to take Instagram-worthy pics! Explore different areas of your town and take pictures of anything that speaks to you, whether it be a beautiful sunrise or sunset, a collection of flowers beginning to bloom or a painted mural. Bring a few friends along and tell them to put on their best spring outfits—let them be your muses! 

If photography isn't really your thing, then take the opportunity to get creative in other ways! Pick up a canvas, some paint and brushes, and paint something that would make Bob Ross proud. Browse Pinterest and find some fun DIY projects that you wouldn't have time to do otherwise. 

Related: Spring Break FOMO: How to Deal

5. Eat like a queen

Are you sick of grody caf food and attempting to make meals in your dorm? Take full advantage of your kitchen at home and get cooking! Spring break is the perfect opportunity to eat a good home-cooked meal. If you’re a fan of cooking or baking, then you know that opportunities to cook for yourself can often be hard to come by at school, depending on what resources your school has. Look up some inexpensive meals and maybe even try making something new!

If making your own meals is not your strong suit, then bat your eyelashes at mom or dad, and they’ll be sure to make you something special. Skip the take-out and fancy restaurants and enjoy a meal you can’t get anywhere else!

6. Get your darty on

Although spring break isn't just about partying, it's still nice to let loose and have fun! Embrace the springtime weather and host a day party with your friends who are also back at home. Find a fun place for you all to gather, such as the beach or a backyard, and pool together some funds to buy some food (or better yet, everyone can make something to bring). Grill burgers, soak up some sun and do it all to a killer playlist—who cares about Panama City?

7. Save up some green for next year

If you’re still absolutely bummed about not being able to go on a trip, then have no fear—there are fun ways out there to earn some cash for next year’s trip! Scoop up a babysitting job, de-clutter your closet and sell to a local thrift store or even have a garage sale. Get together with a friend from home and make the most out of the experience, and treat yourself to a mani-pedi or a movie at the end of the week. Spring break can provide more ways to make money than you may think.

FOMO aside, spring break is totally what you make of it. At the end of the day, beach parties, hotels and bikinis aren’t what make it fun—spring break is all about finding some relaxation and enjoying a memorable experience.  

Lady Gaga is Going to Replace Beyoncé on the Coachella Lineup

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When we found out Beyoncé would no longer be gracing us with her baby bump at Coachella this year, we were bummed. (Read: sobbing) Luckily for us though, the Coachella producers found an amazing replacement for the lineup.

Billboard reports Lady Gaga will fill Beyoncé's headlining spot for both Saturdays of the music festival, April 15 and 22. While nobody from Coachella's or Gaga's camp has confirmed the replacement, both parties are reportedly finalizing the decision and plan to make the announcement soon, according to Billboard.

ICYMI, Queen Bey had to drop from the lineup several days ago after her doctors recommended that she not perform preganant - she'll be in her third trimester, so it's probably a solid decision. (And a small price to pay for the fact that she's about to grace us all with two mini Beys.)

Right on the heels of her amazing Super Bowl performance and with her Joanne World Tour kicking off in August, Lady Gaga is pretty much the perfect pick. Apparently, it was important to Coachella's organizers to find another female headliner, as the festival hasn't had any females headlining the lineup since Bjork in 2007. If her Super Bowl show is any indication, we have no doubt Gaga will be one of the highlights of the already-stacked lineup.

The Harvard Law Review Just Elected Their First Black Woman President

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The prestigious Harvard Law Review has elected 24-year-old ImeIme Umana as the first black woman to serve as president of the journal in the 130 years of its existence, reports The New York Times.

The first female president of the Harvard Law Review, Susan Estrich, was elected 41 years ago, and the first black man to be elected as president of the respected journal 27 years ago was none other than former President Barack Obama.

Ms. Umana was one of 12 candidates vying for the position. Eight of them were women, and eight of the twelve were also minority students. The process of the election went over the course of two days, including a “rigorous evaluation” of each student’s work portfolio, a review of their responses to a written questionnaire, taking into consideration also their responses at a candidate forum, and the results of a writing exercise. The review’s previous president, third-year law school student Michael L. Zuckerman said Ms. Umana is “brilliant. . . an unbelievably dedicated worker, and an exceptionally caring leader.”

The Harvard Law Review is the most often-cited review of this kind, has the biggest circulation in the world of any similar publication. Being elected president of such a prestigious journal is a highly coveted position. It’s considered the highest-ranking position a student at the law school can hold and the equivalent to a golden ticket in the world of law, opening whichever door the student in that position might want. Half of the current members of the Supreme Court were members of the Harvard Law Review, but none of them were the president.

Many are interested to see where Ms. Umana’s guidance of the publication will take it, with her unique perspective in a position which has, for the majority of its existence, belonged mostly to white men.


Press Secretary Sean Spicer Focuses His Attack on Leaks on His Own Staff

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White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer is leading a strong push to shut down the information leaks which have been coming from the West Wing, reports Politico. After realizing last week that a recent information leak came from a planning meeting he had with several of his communication staffers, Spicer held an “emergency meeting” and called the group into his office.

This meeting was more than a run-of-the-mill slap on the wrist and warned about the potential consequences of continuing to leak information which seemed to be consistently appearing in news stories which shed unflattering light on the administration. Staffers were immediately told upon entering the room to “dump their phones on the table for a ‘phone check’ to prove they had nothing to hide.” Phones were not the only thing checked. Any electronics the staffers had on them when they entered the office were fair game for examination by a collection of White House lawyers, including both personal and government-issued cellphones.

Spicer warned them that the use of encrypting messaging apps like Confide, which protects against screenshots of messages and deletes them as soon as they’re read, and Signal, violate the Presidential Records Act. He also gave warnings about further problems should the information about the meeting and phone checks get leaked to the media.

There’s a certain irony in the fact that the information about both the meeting and the phone check was promptly leaked to the media by someone present in the room at the time. It’s not the first time information about leaks was leaked. A memo from the State Department’s legal office concerning the dangers of leaks was immediately leaked to the Washington Post and published shortly after.

The atmosphere in the communications office has grown tense and frustrating for many of the employees there, with reports of Spicer repeatedly becoming enraged during staff meetings by the continuing leaks of potentially damaging information. He has reportedly verbally berated his aides many times concerning sensitive information ending up in the hands of the media.

With the crackdown underway and the already pressurized work environment, the aides and staffers are left with a distinct sense of job insecurity.

The Couple Who Made Racist Threats at a Child's Birthday Party Have Been Sentenced to Prison

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Kayla Norton and Jose Torres, a couple from Georgia, have been sentenced to multiple years in prison after being part of a group that attacked a child's birthday party with racist threats in 2015.

NPR reports that the attack, which occurred in the weeks following the Charleston shooting in which a man shot nine black worshippers, involved racial slurs, armed threats and the waving of the Confederate flag. Norton will serve six years in prison, Torres will serve 13 years and both have been permanently banned from Douglas County where the attack occurred. 

"Their actions were motivated by racial hatred," Superior Court Judge William McClain said.

Both Torres and Norton were found guilty of making terroristic threats and violating Georgia's street gang act. Torres reportedly pointed a shotgun at partygoers, and was convicted of aggravated assault.

The couple reportedly both cried as their sentences were handed down, and Norton told the court she accepted responsibility for her actions.

"I'm so sorry that happened to you. I am so sorry," Norton told the family. "But I want you all to know that that is not me. That is not me."

The couple is the last two members of the group of 15 white supremacists that participated in the attack to be sentenced. The gang, which called itself, "Respect the Flag," apparently went on an alcohol-induced rampage throughout west Atlanta with Confederate flags on the back of their pickup trucks.

15 Things Only Extremely Independent Women Understand

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Being an independent woman can have a lot of perks. For one, you can do anything you want without telling anyone. You don't have to run your plans by an SO or tell them where you're going—you just do it. If you hear about a cool event, you don't need to ask someone else if they're interested. You can just go, have fun and not have to worry about whether or not they're having a good time. There are some things that independent women just get, and you'll def feel these. 

1. You don't need anyone else to have a good time

Ideal Friday night: at home, on the couch, with Netflix. 

2. You're comfortable doing pretty much everything by yourself

3. You forget to invite your friends places

4. You don't need a man

5. You are your only priority

6. You don't let anyone tell you what to do

7. You know what your goals are and how to achieve them

8. You're not afraid to be assertive to get what you want

9. Making plans with a big group is a hassle

10. Going to dinner alone is not a big deal at all

11. You try new things all the time

12. You don't have a hard time making decisions 

13. A lot of people think you're intimidating

14. You never stop learning and looking for ways to better yourself

15. You like to be in control of situations

This Photo of Kellyanne Conway Has the Internet Freaking Out

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Between the Bowling Green Massacre to telling everyone to, "Go buy Ivanka's stuff," Kellyanne Conway is no stranger to controversy. The latest thing she's catching heat for? The way she sits on the Oval Office couch.

A photo of the counselor to the president kneeling on the Oval Office couch as President Trump welcomed the presidents of HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities) is making its rounds on Twitter and people are NOT happy about it.

The photo in question shows her kneeling casually in a dress, still wearing her shoes tucked under her, while checking her phone.

Many Twitter users were noting that Conway's position was disrespectful to the Oval Office, as well as to the HBCU presidents in the room.

Some argued she wouldn't have done the same thing had the White House's visitors been white.

Naturally, it didn't take long before the Internet turned the incident into a meme:

Of course, there was also the argument that several photos exist of former POTUS Barack Obama with his feet on his desk:

The jury is out on whether or not the Internet is overreacting, but we'll take a fire meme any day.

I Tried Going Raw & Here's What Happened

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I recently decided to go raw, which basically means trying to eat as many “whole” (aka unprocessed aka red Doritos — my personal fave) foods as possible. I’ve been at least a vegetarian since I was in 5th grade and a vegan since my junior year of high school so I when I started watching YouTube videos about going raw and some of the benefits to me and the environment I was really excited to try it!

For some background, I initially decided to become a vegetarian it was because I found meat kinda gross and I loved animals a ton. Then, as I got older my reasons adapted; I became even more sure that eating a mindful diet was the most sustainable for my health and the health of animals and the environment. Although I fully believe that being a vegetarian or eating any plant based diet is a wonderful lifestyle choice, I found that being vegan further supported my ideals. In my opinion, the way that we treat animals that we are going to eat in this country is disgusting and I want to protest that, in my own very small way, by not participating in the industry at all; aka eating a fully plant based diet.

According to Wikipedia (I know...the most reliable of websites) “Raw veganism is a diet that excludes all food and products of animal origin, as well as food cooked at a temperature above 48 °C (118 °F). A raw vegan diet includes raw vegetables and fruits, nuts and nut pastes, grain and legume sprouts, seeds, plant oils, sea vegetables, herbs, mushrooms and fresh juices.” I decided to eat as much raw, whole foods as much as possible when I was home, because my parents were paying for my food (YAS!) so I would have the time and ability to try new recipes. That being said, I did not give up coffee, tea and kombucha this month for reasons I will describe below (LOL).

Overall, at the end of this month I want to answer the question of if eating a raw diet is healthy and economically sustainable for a typical collegiette. To do this, I broke this month into three weeks, with a different goal for each week and at the end of the month I will try to debunk some of the myths surrounding raw veganism.

Week 1

For my first week I decided to start slow by just tracking my calories, protein, carbs, sugar, etc. to determine right away if I was being healthy because health is for real the most important thing. I used a pretty standard calorie counter app on my phone that tracked all the stats. I tracked my calories for a week and I hit my goal every day except one. Overall, I was feeling very healthy and I had plenty of food to eat and choices of meals (thanks, parents). I also kept a food journal where I could record how I was feeling and determine if my body was trying to tell me something (for example, if I was craving salt it could mean I was dehydrated, etc.). Below I have a standard daily meal and two entries from my food journal with a couple links for recipes!  

Day 1

Breakfast:

1 banana (I woke up late...)

Lunch:

Coffee

Big salad with one apple, one avocado, raw pecans and raw tahini/hummus dressing

Dinner:

Big salad with avocado, cucumber

2 bananas

Snack:

3 Dates

How much this day would cost: About $11.03. This is of course a very rough approximation but I was very surprised at how cheap this day was!

How I feel today:

Day 1! I'm really excited to get started! I hit my calorie goal for today and I’m feeling okay. I just wish I had spread out my eating throughout the day (I ate my lunch and dinner really close together!). Sleeping all day FTW. I’m making some overnight oatmeal and I’ll let you know how they turn out!

Day 2

Breakfast:

Overnight oats with peanut butter, raw burrito bowl (cauliflower rice, cherry tomatoes, half an avocado, sea salt, raw tahini dressing)  

Lunch:

1 ounce of raw almonds, 5 stalks of celery with raw tahini dressing

Dinner:

Veggie burger, salad (lettuce, pepper, avocado, cucumber), chocolate vegan cupcake

Snacks:

2 oranges

How I feel today:

This morning I was really hungry when I woke up and I had a headache throughout the day. I initially thought the headache was from not eating enough calories or my body taking a second to adjust to the high fiber of the diet. But, when I checked my calorie intake around 4, it was very normal. I then realized that today was the first day since I can remember that I haven’t drank three or more cups of coffee per day. As soon as I drank a cup I felt so much better...which probably says something about my caffeine habits but that’s a whole other article haha. I also cheated a little bit tonight. It was my dad’s bday and my parents made me a special dinner and bought me a special vegan cupcake and I couldn’t say no.

Also, I hate the term “cheating” on your diet, because as long as you feel good and your body feels good, there is no reason to feel guilty for eating what you want. Self-love comes in so many forms and it comes in part from eating a healthy balanced (and in my opinion whole foods) diet with a few treats here and there.  

Overall, I was surprised at the amount of recipes online I could try and the amount of variety of foods I could eat. Also, I cut my cooking time way in half because I wasn’t cooking at all!

Week 2:

This week I spent on vacation in Philadelphia with my family and then in a cute little town in New York with my boyfriend (yay for farmers markets and coffee shops and bookstores and all around romantic adult vacations!) so I decided that this week I would write a little bit about how to eat raw (or as raw as possible!) on vacation.

My biggest tip is to pack snacks! For both of my vacations I brought a bag of dates, figs, fruit, raw almonds and pecans. I also brought a small bag I could fill with snacks and carry in my purse so when my fam was enjoying their Philly Cheesesteaks and burgers and pizza I could be munching on my favorite snacks (I’m looking at you dates). Also, when we went out to meals, I would be sure to check the menu online ahead of time to determine if I needed to have a snack before. One time before dinner, I ate a few dates and figs and nuts before we went to dinner so I could get a side salad (no dressing please!) and not be hungry! Luckily many times when I was in Philly my family ate at Reading Terminal Market so I could hit up the smoothie/juice bar and the produce stands which was amazing. Another tip I have is to not be afraid to ask those working at the restaurant to help! This is one of the things that I had the most anxiety over because I didn’t want to burden the wait staff (I’ve done their job and it’s so tough!). But every time I did get enough courage to ask them, they were always so nice and accommodating. It does no harm to ask!

Week 3-4:

These last two weeks I focused on trying tons of new recipes that I could make when I got back to school.

Here are some of my faves:

*Disclaimer: most of these recipes I researched online and then adapted and used different parts of to make these. Also my quantities are totally approximations, I am not an exact chef hahaha.   

“Purple Smoothie”

- 3 bananas

-1 carton of blackberries

-1 tablespoon of raw peanut butter (or protein powder)

-2 pitted dates

“Burrito Bowl”

-Half a cauliflower pulses in the food processor to make “rice” (tbh...rice is one of my fave foods of all time so I thought I would really miss it in this dish but I found the cauliflower to have a really nice taste and consistency!)

-½ a carton of cut up cherry tomatoes (or any tomatoes of your choice!)

-1 cucumber

-1 head of romaine lettuce “shredded”

-½-1 lemon for dressing (squeeze the lemon over the bowl for a nice citrus element!)

“Lemon Tahini Dressing”

Blend in a blender or food processor:

-1 lemon

-½ cup raw tahini

-sea salt

-pepper  

And my FAVORITE recipe I tried: RAW VEGAN COOKIE DOUGH AND BANANA ICE CREAM!!!!

What I learned over this month:

Don’t be too strict with yourself! The definition of raw veganism makes it seem really strict but there is actually a ton of variation in the diet. For example, you can do “Raw before 4,” where you eat whole foods before 4 p.m. and then after can eat either a vegetarian or vegan dinner. You should experiment and do whatever feels right.

Hydrate hydrate hydrate! I know that pretty much every diet in the world encourages drinking water and that’s because it is so important! I always try to drink a big glass of water in the morning and then drink from my reusable water bottle throughout the day. Drinking water just makes me feel healthy and less bloated and also gives me an excuse to go to the bathroom and avoid any awkward situations.

Finally, I think that the conclusion I have come to is that being raw is not a diet, but a lifestyle choice. Don’t get me wrong, it’s really hard. You have to spend way more time thinking about what you’re going to eat and eating in general. You do really have to plan your meals and there is the potential for things getting out of hand. There have been times in my journey as a vegetarian and vegan where I have become obsessed with counting my calories and watching what I eat, which is totally unhealthy. Thus, I don’t think that anyone should become a raw vegan ONLY to lose weight and get the “perfect body” (which again doesn’t even exist!). Becoming vegan and eating more whole foods will naturally cause weight loss but the real change has to come from a desire to have a positive impact on the environment and to create a more sustainable lifestyle!

Although I have loved doing this raw challenge, I found it easy because I had a lot of time to plan meals and experiment with recipes. That being said, I don’t know if the raw lifestyle is the best option for a college student, especially one living in the dorms, where you don’t really get a choice of what you eat. I would suggest combining a raw lifestyle with another environmentally friendly lifestyle choice. For example, at school my goal now is to try to eat as raw as possible while also trying to reduce the amount of plastic and trash I use. Thus I will be able to gradually make a positive change in my life!   

If you're considering this diet, here are some good resources: 

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/weekly-meal-plan-the-raw-vegan-menu/

http://www.therawtarian.com/raw-food-diet-meal-plan

YOUTUBE! YOUTUBE YOUTUBE! There are so many great raw vegan, vegan, and vegetarian videos, channels and recipes on youtube! It is a WONDERFUL resource!

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