2011's Greatest Good News Stories: Where Are They Now?

The Huffington Post   First Posted: 01/11/12 11:11 PM ET   Updated: 01/11/12 11:30 PM ET

Call it the feel-good flavor of the day. One story of bravery, kindness or generosity can take the world by storm, but in this 24/7 news cycle, most heroes only get five minutes of fame.

What happens when the cameras stop rolling? What does a brush with fame do to a good person? Is it possible that it makes their lives, dare we say, better? We decided to find out.

The woman who heard herself speak for the first time wants to help children who can't hear. And the wheelchair-bound Ohio teen who scored a touchdown for his high school team is now a local hero, who believes that a disability doesn't have to limit him.

Here are other more examples of how shining a light on good news today may just lead to a brighter tomorrow.

Video Inspires Free Transplant
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What Happened:
Back in September, Sarah Churman's video of her hearing her own voice for the first time in 29 years lit a viral fire through the Internet. The video, shot by her husband Sloan, shows what's known as the Esteem hearing implant being tested out on Sarah before the surgery. The second the implant is turned on, Sarah's face crumbles with emotion.

Where Is She Now:
After all the press following the video's viral explosion, Sarah is set to get the Esteem hearing implant for her other ear -- free of charge this Friday, January 13. Since the video, Sarah has appeared everywhere from -- the Ellen DeGeneres show to New York Ink, where she had them tattoo a heart behind her ear.

In an interview with The Huffington Post, Sarah said hearing her children for the first time was the most powerful part of having the implant.

"You miss out on so much, and the morning after I was on the kitchen floor just bawling," she said. "It just broke my heart thinking about all the people out there missing it like I did."

Sarah said that the experience has opened the door to many different opportunities, and shown her that, one day, she'd like to work with parents and children with hearing disabilities.
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Call it the feel-good flavor of the day. One story of bravery, kindness or generosity can take the world by storm, but in this 24/7 news cycle, most heroes only get five minutes of fame. What hap...
Call it the feel-good flavor of the day. One story of bravery, kindness or generosity can take the world by storm, but in this 24/7 news cycle, most heroes only get five minutes of fame. What hap...
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electradscending
6 Fans
03:52 AM on 01/25/2012
Yay o for the Kitteh Cats!!! (kitty babies so glad they got a home)
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kareemachan
watashi ha tororu ga oroka da to omoi masu。
1439 Fans
02:12 PM on 01/14/2012
Kudos for the school superintendent for making the decision he did. Our school is facing closing its library and no school sports after February due in part to the azzh0lery of a certain Mukilteo bloviator, first name Timmy, and the fact that the school buildings needed major renovating to make them earthquake-proof and bring them up to code. Of course, we're a tiny school district, our superintendent doesn't have a salary anywhere close to this, and there's nothing left to trim from the budget, but still, kudos to him.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Fmal DeHyde
Every day feels like Monday lately.
47 Fans
11:39 AM on 01/14/2012
While I applaud the Fresno superintendent for giving up his salary for the school district, I've gotta wonder about him getting paid $800,000 a year. WHAT!?!
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jezoebel
sleepless in New York
105 Fans
10:41 AM on 01/14/2012
See? Dogs DO have souls after all. Good Reagan.
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Bobbi2664
32 Fans
12:50 AM on 01/14/2012
I ment she not he.
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Bobbi2664
32 Fans
12:49 AM on 01/14/2012
Those kittens are so cute. And I hope Regan gets steak for the rest of his days he deserves it.
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Igor Purlantov
24 Fans
01:00 PM on 01/13/2012
Thanks for sharing. These were indeed amazing and memorable videos.

www.igor-purlantov.org
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
keep it solid
Have a great day :)
370 Fans
 
03:29 AM on 01/13/2012
Excellent idea for a section!
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amanda pants
14 Fans
02:53 AM on 01/13/2012
I'm an animal lover with a huge heart. I wish I could have adopted them
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
summer261987
"Housework can't kill you, but why take a chance?"
84 Fans
 
01:40 AM on 01/13/2012
what a good section! give me a little more optimism that good people still exist!
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ECJIM 3ABTPA BONHA
22 Fans
01:17 AM on 01/13/2012
I had no clue the huff had a good news section! Very nice! I always call the news the "Blues" but not in this section.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
modelaford
815 Fans
 
01:02 AM on 01/13/2012
Great idea...great section. Would love to see this section on the main title bar.
Finally found it under the more section.
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Ron Napier
0 Fans
06:29 PM on 01/12/2012
Thank you for what we are craving in the chaos of reporting all the woes of the world.
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notwaff
152 Fans
04:50 PM on 01/12/2012
.....
a bit of good news...

An African war lord, responsible for the death of thousands, is now touring the country of Liberia, making restitution.

http://www.christianpost.com/news/african-warlord-who-killed-20000-people-repents-now-christian-evangelist-65550/
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Hlynn
324 Fans
10:16 PM on 01/13/2012
We have an amazing God. As Corrie ten Boom said, "There is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still". Redemption is possible for anyone who surrenders to Him.
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Jr Graa
25 Fans
04:12 PM on 01/12/2012
good idea
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