Do you know why there’s a small scar on the upper left arm and what it means?
The little round mark you see on the upper arm is a scar from getting vaccinated against smallpox.
This vaccine was quite common before the 1970s.
It involved using a live virus called Vaccinia to stimulate the immune system and protect against the harmful Variola virus that caused smallpox.
After getting the vaccination, blisters appear at the spot where it was administered, then they dry up and form a crust before eventually healing within a few weeks.
In the end, a circular scar is left behind.
To administer the vaccine, a two-pronged needle was dipped into the Vaccinia solution, and the person’s arm was pricked multiple times.
Every time the needle punctured the skin, a small amount of the vaccine was left behind, leading to the formation of blisters and explaining why the scars are relatively large.
Immediately after receiving the vaccine, there may be a slight swelling at the vaccination site that lasts for about 6-8 hours.
After the initial swelling goes away, the vaccination site returns to its normal appearance. However, after about 6-8 weeks, another swelling occurs, resembling a mosquito bite.
This swelling gradually grows and forms a lump that eventually breaks open, releasing some fluid and forming an ulcer.
The ulcer eventually heals, leaving a scar behind.
This whole process usually takes between 2-5 weeks.
Sometimes, this process of ulceration and healing can happen 2-3 times.
The resulting scar is permanent and lasts a lifetime.
After the early 1970s, smallpox was no longer common in most Western countries, so there was no need for vaccination unless someone was traveling to a country where the virus still existed.
Alec and Hilaria Baldwin faced backlash after having seventh child
Expanding your family as a parent is always a sweet feeling especially if it is with someone you love and are on the same page with.
Alec Baldwin married his wife Hilaria in 2012 and the two of them have been expanding their family together ever since…
Alec Baldwin met his wife Hilaria Baldwin in 2011 and married her the subsequent year, 2012.
The couple wasted no time in starting a family, welcoming their first child in 2013. They then had four more children together before adding a sixth child via a surrogate.
In April 2021, they shared the news that they were expecting their seventh child together – people were ecstatic for the couple, and happy that they were continuing to grow their wonderful family.
Hilaria excitedly shared the news about her daughter’s arrival on her Instagram account. She posted a selection of pictures and videos to her page, along with the caption: “She’s here! We are so excited to introduce you to our tiny dream come true, ilaria catalina irena”.
Alec and Hilaria Baldwin faced backlash after having seventh child
This is Alec Baldwin’s eighth child in total, but his seventh child with current wife Hilaria. He shares his oldest daughter, Ireland Baldwin, with his ex-wife Kim Basinger.
In the aforementioned Instagram post, Hilaria offered some details about the latest addition to her and Alec’s family. She wrote that their daughter was born on September 22, 2022, weighing 6 lbs. and 13 ounces. She added: “Both she and I are happy and healthy.”
She then made another post expressing how excited the rest of her children are about the newest addition to their family, writing: “Her Baldwinito siblings are spending the day bonding and welcoming her into our home.”
She concluded the caption with: “Much love to you all. We are so happy to celebrate this wonderful news with you.”
The couple released an official birth announcement via People Magazine, reading: “How grateful we feel to welcome our newest little daughter into this world. Just as magical and filled with love as every other little person we have been blessed with.”
While the couple naturally adore their family, Hilaria Baldwin recently shared that not everyone understands their reasoning behind it being so… well, big. In a recent post she wrote: “7th baby: when people ask or comment, we often go to silly and very self-deprecating jokes on my part. I love to laugh at myself—so it’s all good…keeps me sane. All jokes aside, however, I am grateful for this experience.”
She explained her thinking further, stating: “I know too well the joys and the losses, the beauty and the heartache, that motherhood brings. I have learned to respect and embrace the wonderful, the hard, the uncomfortable, the magical, and the unknown of this incredible process I am so blessed to experience again and again.”
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The couple is clearly happy with their family and are practically glowing at their latest addition – but not everyone congratulated them. In fact, certain individuals had a lot to say about their newborn’s name: Ilaria Catalina Irena Baldwin.
Hilaria and Alec Baldwin are known for selecting unique names for their children, often with Spanish origins. However, after the revelation that Hilaria isn’t of Spanish descent – and the accompanying controversy surrounding her alleged use of a fake Spanish accent and misrepresentation of her heritage in 2020 – people were taken aback by the name they gave to their seventh child.
“Her blatant trying to be Spanish is really quite irritating, why is it okay? Why does she keep trying? Have they really let it go to their heads that much,”someone wrote.
Another person wrote on Twitter: “Fake Spanish name from Boston-born mom,” while a second echoed: “Hilaria & Alec Baldwin had their 7th child. Not one American name, not even a middle name.”
A third said: “Alec Baldwin’s wife faking being Spanish is so crazy. Changing her name from Hillary to Hilaria, naming all 7 of their kids with those roots, pretending to forget the english word for ‘cucumber’, faking an accent. She should’ve changed her name to hilarious instead.”
However, some people pointed out that Ilaria is actually Italian for “Hilary.” It means cheerful, and was one of the more popular Italian girl names in 2006.
What do you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments:
A Firefighter’s Heartfelt Connection with a Single Mom’s Son
While working a busy Halloween shift at a diner, a single mom brought her four-year-old son, Micah, along after her babysitter canceled. Dressed in a firefighter costume, Micah sat in a booth with crayons and a grilled cheese sandwich.
But during the dinner rush, the mother noticed Micah was missing. Panicked, she searched the diner and found him in the kitchen, talking to a real firefighter.
Micah, too young to grasp the full story, was telling the firefighter about his dad—a firefighter who had died the previous year while saving lives. The man listened intently before asking Micah his father’s name.
Upon hearing it, the firefighter was moved to tears, realizing that Micah’s dad had been his friend and colleague. He pulled a small, worn silver badge from his pocket—one that Micah’s father had once given him for good luck—and handed it to Micah, passing on a piece of his father’s legacy.
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This emotional encounter reminded the mother that even though her husband was gone, his memory and the bonds he created lived on. She felt comforted knowing that people like this kind firefighter continued to honor her husband’s legacy and would be there for her and Micah.
Before and after photos of Jamie Wilson’s female-to-male transition
The process of transitioning from one gender to another is personal, but it can also be challenging, requiring strength, determination, and the ability to challenge stereotypes.
Although societies are becoming more accepting of people who transition, these issues remain taboo in many countries. This makes life difficult for transgender individuals.
Jamie Wilson is a transgender musician whose life serves as inspiration for many people who consider going through what he had gone – transition from female to male.
Wilson, who is a well-known name within the transgender community, not only shares his life story but also photos of himself showing the process of his transition.
“When I came out, people refused to believe I was a man because I had looked feminine for 18 years,” he said.
He started his transition by cutting his hair short and wearing men clothes. Later, he had started testosterone therapy, which takes around one to two years for the results to show. A complete change, however, may require up to five years.
“At first I was scared to come out as transgender because I didn’t give any ‘signs’ as people say.
“I looked and presented very feminine. Not because I wanted to but because I felt pressured to make the people around me happy.”
“When I first came out people tried telling me ‘this is not who you are’ that’s when I realized you are NOT who people think you are…you are who you KNOW you are,” he said.
Wilson’s transition took time, but it also took certain toll, including losing some of his family and friends who didn’t support his decision.
Except for the hormone treatment, some individuals opt for a surgery.
According to UCSF, many of the effects of hormone therapy are reversable if the therapy is stopped. This, however, isn’t the case with the surgeries, which are permanent.
This is why it is of crucial importance to talk to medical professionals about all the risks and get informed about every aspect of the transition process before undergoing one.
Addressing his followers on the social media, Wilson says that “Not everyone has to show ‘signs’ to be transgender. You don’t have to pass a test to prove you’re trans…”
He adds: “And you sure as hell don’t need ANYONE’S approval but your own.”
James Wilson’s transition and his self-confidence are truly remarkable.
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