A sudden and devastating flash flood in Pennsylvania has left a family shattered and a community searching for answers. Katie Seley, a brave and selfless 32-year-old mother from South Carolina, tragically lost her life while trying to save her two young children from the raging waters. As the search for her missing kids continues, the community has rallied together to support the grieving family in their time of need.
The unexpected flood occurred over the weekend in Pennsylvania, catching many people off guard. The torrential downpour caused the General Washington Memorial Boulevard to flood, trapping 11 vehicles and causing widespread destruction. Unfortunately, this natural disaster has already claimed the lives of five individuals, and the search for the missing is ongoing.
Katie’s husband, Jim Sheils, their eldest son, Jack, and Katie’s mother, Dahlia, miraculously survived the flood. Together, they are determined to protect their family. Both Katie and her mother bravely attempted to rescue their other two children, Mattie and Conrad. Tragically, the force of the flood was too powerful, tearing the children from their desperate grasp.
The family has requested a spokesperson to speak on their behalf, revealing that they were visiting relatives in Pennsylvania when disaster struck. They were on their way to a barbecue when their car was engulfed by the torrent of water. Search teams swiftly arrived at the scene and recovered Katie’s lifeless body amidst the wreckage caused by the flash flood. However, Mattie and Conrad are still missing, prompting a massive search effort.
Amidst their grief, Katie’s family expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community. The strength they find to carry on is bolstered by the unwavering commitment and compassion of those involved in the rescue efforts.
The flood caught everyone by surprise, inundating streets and homes without warning. Jim managed to save their eldest son, while Katie and her mother desperately tried to protect the other two children. However, the sheer force of the water overwhelmed them, sweeping them away.
As search teams continue their tireless efforts to find Mattie and Conrad, the family pleads for privacy and understanding. They will not be making any further statements or responding to inquiries while they mourn and grieve.
The devastating flood wreaked havoc on the area, leaving cars overturned, trees damaged, and countless homes in ruins. Search operations had to be temporarily suspended until the floodwaters receded.
Once the weather cleared and the floodwaters subsided, rescue crews resumed their search. Boats scoured the Delaware River, while drones meticulously combed the area in the relentless pursuit to locate the missing children.
While Katie’s body has been recovered, the search for nine-month-old Mattie and two-year-old Conrad continues. The surviving family members are deeply grateful for the compassion, kindness, and bravery of all those involved in the rescue efforts. They remain hopeful and unwavering in their mission to bring the missing children home.
The community’s unwavering support has been instrumental in helping the family stay strong during this unimaginably challenging ordeal. The family appreciates the love and prayers extended to them during this time of grief.
Katie’s tragic death is not the only loss suffered during this devastating flood. Four other individuals also lost their lives, further highlighting the immense impact it had on the community.
Time Brewer, the Upper Makefield Fire Chief, reflected on the magnitude of the flood, stating that in his 44 years of service, he had never witnessed anything like it. The flood, which dumped six to seven inches of rain within just one hour, caused severe damage to local properties and left an indelible mark on the community.
As the search continues, the Upper Makefield Township Police Department urges everyone to pray for the affected families and respect their privacy. The support and dedication of the first responders and the entire community have not gone unnoticed, and the Sheils family is grateful for the overwhelming support received during this challenging time.
This heartbreaking tragedy serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of uniting in times of crisis. Let us continue to rally around the Sheils family and all those affected by this devastating flood.
“I Lost Both Of My Legs Because Of A Tampon”, Lauren Wasser Defied the Odds and Became a Prominent Model
Lauren Wasser is a model and activist who has overcome incredible odds to become a prominent figure in the fashion industry. In 2012, Wasser lost both legs due to toxic shock syndrome (TSS) caused by a tampon. Despite this devastating setback, Wasser refused to let it define her. She has since become a vocal advocate for women’s health and safety, using her platform to raise awareness about the dangers of TSS and the need for better menstrual product regulation.
Lauren Wasser grew up in a family of models.
Lauren Wasser was born into the fashion industry in California on March 2, 1988. Her parents were both professional models, and she first appeared in Vogue alongside her mom when she was just 4 months old. Unsurprisingly, the young girl would be drawn to this career path.
She lived a full and active life until she became ill.
Lauren Wasser was a talented basketball player who even received a prestigious athletic scholarship. However, she decided to pursue her modeling career instead. Even so, she maintained an active lifestyle for several years.
Her world was turned upside down at the young age of 24.
AtThe Diary of a CEOpodcast, Lauren Wasser, age 35, shockingly revealed her harrowing experience by saying, “I lost both of my legs because of a tampon.”
The syndrome results from an overgrowth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in the body, which can produce a deadly toxin in the bloodstream. TSS first caught public attention in the United States in the late 1970s when several young women became gravely ill. By the 1980s, the syndrome was infecting people at a rate of approximately 6 in 100,000.
It all started with flu-like symptoms, followed by renal failure and, ultimately, two heart attacks, all due to the rare and life-threatening syndrome. With a slim chance of surviving, doctors had to put Wasser into a medically-induced coma to save her life.
After regaining consciousness a week and a half later, Lauren Wasser shared in a poignant interview, “I woke up a week and a half later and had no idea what had even happened. They pumped me full of 80 pounds of fluid.” Tragically, her situation worsened as gangrene spread, causing her right leg and left foot to be engulfed in searing pain. “From there, my feet were on fire, and gangrene set into my right leg and my left foot. There was no option. I had to amputate my right leg.” Then, in 2018, she faced another heartbreaking setback as her left leg had to be amputated.
Lauren Wasser advocates for TSS awareness and safer menstrual products.
As she spoke out about the dangers of TSS, Lauren Wasser emphasized the harmful constituents of tampons, stating, “[They] are made using chlorine bleach, dioxin, and synthetic fibers, which create the perfect storm in our bodies.”
“I have been working with a mother who lost her teenage daughter to TSS when she was 18 — Madeline Mosby. Through the darkness and trauma of that, we have joined forces in wanting to change the world.”
She returned to modeling and became the “girl with the golden legs.”
“My whole job has been to show that you are enough, and you’re beautiful in the skin you’re in and highlighting your scars and the things that you hate most.” With this resolution in mind, Lauren Wasser decided to return to the modeling industry and started looking for gigs again. While many of her colleagues supported her decision to return to modeling, some doubted whether she could make a successful comeback.
Wasser decided to choose gold-toned prosthetics instead of prosthetics that matched her skin color after entirely accepting her new condition. “Making it my own and giving it life, so to speak, changed my perception,” she said, explaining her choice in an interview. Thus, she became the “girl with the golden legs” and started walking for famous designers again.
Currently, she’s still taking the fashion world by storm and fighting for more inclusivity.
Following the amputation of her left leg due to chronic pain, the model is now able to lead a more active lifestyle. She has resumed playing basketball, which is her passion and is even preparing for a marathon shortly. Additionally, Wasser’s modeling career is flourishing as she walked for Gabriela Hearst and Louis Vuitton in 2022 and was featured in Lacoste, Furla, and Shiseido campaigns.
In addition to her thriving modeling career, Wasser remains dedicated to advocating for inclusivity and acceptance of individuals with disabilities and diverse conditions within the fashion industry. Her activism and contributions to the fashion world have earned her a spot on Harper’s Bazaar’s special-edition Women of the Year 2022 covers, alongside other inspiring women.” I’ve worked so hard to be myself and never take ‘no’ for an answer,” is how Lauren Wasser sums up her success.
Lauren Wasser’s incredible journey from tragedy to triumph is just the beginning of a new era in modeling. Stay tuned to learn about 16 more unusual models who are revolutionizing the beauty industry.
Preview photo credit theimpossiblemuse / Instagram, theimpossiblemuse / Instagram
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