By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Little heroes with disabilities walk the red carpet at an early screening of the Justice League movi
7ca0c6301b9d1b3ac6f1af455e616fe7b15e42ffd2cabb546e8e09a00e946fdf
Photographer Joshua Rossi did a photoshoot of six children struggling with illness and disability. Each was dressed as "Justice League" characters to show that they are the real superheroes in society. From left to right: Teagan Pettit, Zaiden Stolrow, Kayden Kinckle, Sofie Loftus, Mataese Manuma and Simon Fullmer. - photo by Bella Vaughn
Real-life superheroes fighting disability and disease walked the red carpet on Nov. 13 before an early screening of the 2017 movie "Justice League."

Sofie Loftus, Teagan Pettit, Zaiden Stolrow and Kayden Kinckle rode in a limousine to the Jordan Commons movie theatre. The crew was dressed as Wonder Woman, Superman, Flash and Cyborg, respectively, and was cheered on by dozens of supporters when they arrived.

The messaging behind it was that our weaknesses make us stronger, said photographer Josh Rossi, who did a photoshoot of the kids earlier this year and had the kids dress up as superhoes to empower them and showcase their inner strength.

Rossi added that he hopes the project will inspire others to go out into the comunity and help other kids who are suffering. Initially, he said he was inspired with the idea after doing a photoshoot of his daughter who was diagnosed with cancer.

Me and my wife got the idea to find the real superheroes in society, which were these kids that just had disabilities, had cancer, leukemia and other things, he said.

These superheroes have been diagnosed with disabilities and diseases such as cancer, severe ADHD, half a heart and double amputation. Teagans mother Brytten Pettit said that Rossis project couldnt have come at a better time, since all of his friends were trying out for the basketball team and he couldnt.

He was a little bit sad," she remembered. "He said, Mom, do you think Im the only one in this room who isnt trying out for the basketball team? And I said, probably, but not every kid gets to be Superman.

Each of the participants was dressed as a superhero that they love and with whom they share a common attribute. For instance, Zaiden was Flash because he is fast and loves to run. Sofies aunt, Tammy Westover, believes that Sofie is resilient, just like Wonder Woman, and even more so after this experience.

I think its helping to give her courage and to see some camaraderie with the other kids," Westover said. "It has changed Sofies life, but it has also changed every single one of our lives.
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
93cbd7a5475cccd1cee701424125d3abaa9b4beaa58d3663208f656cbbbd7661
A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.