All-Terrain Wheelchairs

Daily Upsider on January 4, 2024

The All Terrain Georgia initiative, driven by the motto “Everyone deserves a chance to play,” provides free all-terrain wheelchairs at select Georgia parks for individuals facing physical challenges. These robust, motorized wheelchairs, resembling off-road vehicles with large, sturdy wheels, play a practical role in improving access to outdoor spaces.

In collaboration with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Aimee Copeland Foundation, founded by Aimee Copeland—an integrative therapist and outdoor enthusiast who faced a life-changing accident resulting in amputations, established her foundation to promote healing for people of all abilities by creating accessible outdoor environments.

These all-terrain wheelchairs are specifically engineered to navigate rough, wet, sandy, or snowy terrains, enabling individuals who may struggle with traditional wheelchairs to explore trails safely. Given that 11.1% of U.S. adults have a mobility disability, and only a limited percentage of national park trails are wheelchair-friendly, the initiative addresses a significant need.

The all-terrain wheelchairs can be expensive, costing between $13,000 to nearly $30,000. Luckily, All Terrain Georgia offers free wheelchair usage to eligible individuals who meet requirements, get certified, make reservations, and have a buddy for assistance at participating state parks in Georgia.

Melanie Dunn, a double amputee and the assistant director of the Aimee Copeland Foundation, stresses the practical impact of experiencing nature. The initiative aims to help individuals with mobility impairments feel a sense of normalcy, connected to friends and family while enjoying outdoor activities like fishing or picnicking at Georgia State Parks.

Looking ahead, the foundation plans to extend its reach by moving the all-terrain wheelchairs to other parks within the Georgia Department of Natural Resources System.

NFL Shake-Up

Daily Upsider on January 3, 2024

As the NFL regular season comes to a close, the power rankings have seen a significant shake-up in Week 18. The Baltimore Ravens have overtaken the top spot after a convincing win against the San Francisco 49ers, while the Kansas City Chiefs have dropped a few spots following a disappointing loss. Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins have slipped down the rankings as the playoffs approach.

The Dallas Cowboys have replaced the Philadelphia Eagles in the top five, with both teams looking to secure their playoff spots in the final week of the regular season. The Denver Broncos have also made a strong push, climbing to the 14th spot after a string of impressive performances.

The New England Patriots, on the other hand, have fallen out of the top 10 after a tough loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos have also experienced a drop in the rankings, with both teams struggling to find their form in recent weeks.

As we enter the final week of the regular season, the playoff picture is starting to take shape. The top contenders are jockeying for position, while the teams on the bubble are fighting for their postseason lives. The next few days will be crucial for many teams as they look to secure their spot in the NFL playoffs.

The Future of Streaming

Daily Upsider on January 3, 2024

As we step into 2024, the world of streaming is set to undergo a significant transformation with the introduction of various planned service bundles. This comes in the wake of many streaming services adding advertisements to their bottom tiers in an attempt to stay, or even become, profitable. These include Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, and Prime Video.

Very few streaming services made a profit this year. Netflix, Apple TV+, and HBO’s rebranded Max being among the few to make profits.

The increase in bundles seems like a decent strategy to get more subscribers onto their respective platforms. Let’s take a closer look at some of the streaming service bundles of 2024.

Disney+ and Hulu
This bundle, which launched at the beginning of 2024 will be an alternative bundle to the current Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu trio. This partnership will bring together two popular streaming services, offering a vast collection of movies, TV shows, and original content.

Verizon, Max and Netflix
Verizon is offering a $10/month bundle with Max and Netflix. This is available to Verizon customers and is for the ads versions of Max and Netflix.

Apple TV+ and Paramount+
There are also talks about a partnership between Paramount Global and Apple. These two companies are reportedly considering a bundle that combines the best of Apple TV+ and Paramount+, giving subscribers access to a vast library of sports and news content.

If you already have have some of these streaming services. Changing to a bundle could save you some decent money.

Naloxone Vending Machine Saves 900+ Lives from Overdoses

Daily Upsider on January 2, 2024

In a realistic move to tackle opioid overdoses, naloxone vending machines are proving effective in various U.S. locations. Cincinnati-based nonprofit Caracole initiated the effort in Ohio, installing a 24/7-accessible vending machine outside its building in February 2021. The machine, designed for rapid opioid overdose reversal, has saved 960 lives in under two years, as per a University of Cincinnati study.

Naloxone nasal sprays work by delivering the medication directly into the nasal cavity, where it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes. The medication then rapidly reverses the effects of opioids by binding to the opioid receptors in the brain and blocking the effects of other opioids. This can quickly restore normal breathing and consciousness in individuals experiencing an opioid overdose. While this self-service system is not widespread in the U.S., it takes inspiration from successful European practices.

Encoura by success in Cincinnati, Dr. Arendt and Caracole are collaborating with other organizations to expand these vending machines nationally. Cities like San Diego, Las Vegas, New York, and Indiana have recently adopted similar programs, providing accessible naloxone and fentanyl resources as part of harm reduction strategies.

Suzanne Bachmeyer, Caracole’s director of prevention, underscores the vending machines’ role in harm reduction by offering around-the-clock access to life-saving supplies, empowering individuals to manage their health.

As these initiatives gain momentum, the presence of naloxone vending machines is growing, representing a practical stride in overdose prevention and harm reduction efforts across the country.

Housing Market Turning

Daily Upsider on January 1, 2024

In recent months, the housing market has seen a surge in new home construction as builders work to meet the growing demand for housing. According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, residential new construction rose 14.8% in November 2023 compared to the previous month, reaching an annual rate of 1.56 million new homes being built. This increase in new home construction is a positive sign for the housing market, as it indicates that builders are feeling optimistic about the future of the industry.

One of the driving factors behind the increase in new home construction is the decline in mortgage rates. As rates have come down, more people are able to afford to buy a home, which has led to an increase in demand for new homes. This, in turn, has spurred builders to ramp up construction in order to meet the growing demand.

In addition to the decline in mortgage rates, the increase in new home construction can also be attributed to the rise in housing permits. In November 2023, the number of housing permits issued rose 6.6% month-over-month to 1,453,000 completions. This increase in permits is yet another good sign for the housing market.

Despite the increase in new home construction, the housing market still faces some challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the high cost of building materials. The cost of lumber, for example, has risen significantly in recent months, which has made it more expensive for builders to construct new homes. In addition, the ongoing labor shortage in the construction industry has made it difficult for builders to find the workers they need to complete projects on time.

Despite these challenges, as more homes are built, it will help to ease the shortage of available homes for sale and provide more options for buyers. This, in turn, could help to keep home prices from rising too quickly and make it easier for people to find a home that they can afford.