On April 22, the beating heart of Times Square transforms into something far greater than a crossroads of the world—it becomes a living, breathing celebration of the Earth itself. Earth & Water Day 2026 is not just an event; it’s a movement, a call to consciousness wrapped in music, unity, and purpose.

At the center of it all stands visionary producer Paul Sladkus, whose decades-long dedication to peace, sustainability, and global connection once again brings this powerful gathering to life. Through his leadership and the ongoing mission of Good News Corporation, Times Square is reimagined—not as a place of commerce, but as a sanctuary of awareness, creativity, and hope.

From 2 PM to 7 PM, the energy will surge through the streets as artists, activists, and visionaries take the stage in a free concert and exhibition designed to inspire action and reflection. This is not passive entertainment—it’s an immersive experience where music becomes a message and performance becomes purpose. The event honors environmental pioneers, future generations, and the urgent need to protect our planet’s most vital resources.

What makes Earth & Water Day so striking is its ability to blend spectacle with sincerity. Beneath the towering screens and electric chaos of Times Square, there is a rare stillness—a collective understanding that something meaningful is unfolding. Voices rise not just in song, but in solidarity, echoing themes of clean energy, peace, and responsibility to the Earth.

Sladkus has long believed in the power of unity through media and music, and this event stands as one of his most profound expressions of that vision. Year after year, he gathers diverse talents and global voices, creating a platform where awareness meets artistry and where inspiration becomes action.

In a world often overwhelmed by noise, Earth & Water Day cuts through with clarity. It reminds us that celebration and responsibility can coexist—and that even in the center of one of the busiest places on Earth, there is still space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters.

https://entertainmentindustryreporter.com/earth-water-day-2026-times-square-becomes-a-stage-for-the-planet/

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Good News Corporation, est. In 2002, as a nonprofit and OMMM Presents, both partners for Mother Earth and the International Day of Peace.

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A Global Virtual Gathering Honoring Mother Earth Through Unity, Music, and Peace

New York, NY — April 22, 2026 — Planet Heart, in collaboration with We, The World, is proud to present the 18th Annual World Peace Earth Day Celebration, taking place on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 7:00–9:00 PM ET.

This inspiring global event will be held virtually in Room ONE following the Unity Earth Weekly Call and streamed live across Facebook and other platforms, bringing together a diverse community of thought leaders, spiritual teachers, musicians, and changemakers from around the world.

Founded by peace ambassador Andrew Kaen, Planet Heart has been producing World Peace Earth Day celebrations since 2007, creating a sacred space each year to honor Mother Earth and foster unity across cultures, traditions, and communities.

This year’s theme, “Celebrating Our Planet, Healing Our Heart,” invites participants into a powerful shared experience of connection, reflection, and collective intention for a more peaceful and harmonious world.

The evening will feature:

• Inspirational talks from global leaders and visionaries
• Live music performances and artistic expression
• Prayers and blessings for world peace
• A worldwide interactive gathering dedicated to healing the Earth and all beings

Featured participants include:

Ben Bowler, Mitchell Rabin, Rick Ulfik, Jonathan Granoff, Chief Phil Lane Jr., Grandmother Shirley Barclay, Patricia Ann Davis, Kristin Hoffmann, Fumi Stewart, Dot Maver, David Young, Dana Tomasino, and Andrew Kaen.

“Earth Day is a sacred opportunity to come together as one human family,” says Kaen. “Through shared intention, music, and prayer, we can elevate consciousness and contribute to a more peaceful and unified planet.”

The event is free and open to all. Participants are encouraged to invite friends and communities worldwide to join this collective celebration.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Time: 7:00–9:00 PM ET

Location: Virtual (Zoom + Livestream)

Zoom Link: zoom.us/j/6060001111

Website: www.PlanetHeart.org

Contact: EarthDay@WeTheWorld.Org

About Planet Heart

Planet Heart is a global peace and unity initiative dedicated to fostering oneness, environmental stewardship, and collective awakening. Since its founding, Planet Heart has brought together thousands of individuals worldwide through events, media, and collaborations centered around the message: One Planet, One Race, One Heart – We Are All One.

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MEDIA ALERT:  EARTH & WATER DAY “LOVE YOUR MOTHER” CONCERT, CLEAN ENERGY BROADCAST AND EXHIBITION LIVE IN TIMES SQUARE ON APRIL 22, 2026, 2 PM – 7 PM EST.

Tribute to Dr. Jane Goodall, Pete Seeger, Future Generations & More

WHY, WHERE, WHAT: Earth & Water Day FREE Concert & Exhibition in Times Square (46^TH/47^TH St.) April 22, 2026, 2 PM – 7 PM EST WORLD BROADCAST.  Tribute to Dr. Jane Goodall (Exec. Dir Goodall Institute Accepting), Pete Seeger (NYC Friends of Clearwater Accepting), Future Generations (Hudson Henley, son of Kate Hudson/Hugh Jackman in Song Sung Blue), and Mia Narciso (NYC Performing Student. Tony Orlando shares a message) Plus Outstanding Performers, Speakers, Exhibition, NYC involvement, UN Official Indigenous Event, Nobel Prize Recipient, Segment from Broadway Shows Pinkalious AMAZE & More. Go to www.pausetheworldforpeace.org for the latest details. 5-Hour LIVE BROADCAST will be on www.youtube.com/goodnewsbroadcast and other media.

To be part of the Major 2026 Earth, Health, and Peace Research Study, go to: https://forms.gle/1anfjLg9T1kFtbPf8.  To share a Gift Card for the Homeless on Mother Earth, go to: https://bit.ly/m/cbf.  To help build homes for the poor owners in polluted areas, go to:  https://immokaleefairhousing.org/donate/.  For Good News Corporation Nonprofit Humanitarian Broadcaster, est. 2002, go to: https://goodnewsplanet.com/pausetheworld/peace-day-donations/

WHO: OVER 50 performers and speakers will join the stage and exhibition area, along with virtual UN Peace Messengers: Stevie Wonder, Leonardo DiCaprio, and UNICEF’s Shakira, Broadway Shows, and so much more. For the entire Run of Show, go to: https://pausetheworldforpeace.org/2026/04/06/earth-water-day-concert-and-exhibition-run-of-show-as-of-april-06-2026/

PRODUCERS:  For 24 years, Good News Corporation a nonprofit, along with 1,000’s have been producing in Central Park or in Times Square, NY, a FREE CLEAN ENERGY Earth Day and International Day of Peace Concert.  This year, 2026, GNC partners with the NYC Comptroller, Mark Levine; the Earth Day Founders; and OMMM.  MOTHER EARTH & PEACE NEEDS YOU. 

For information, contact: paul.sladkus1@gmail.com, 917-687-1790, or rockstarjournalist33@gmail.com.  Interviews available.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EARTH/WATER DAY: LOVE YOUR MOTHER – LIVE CONCERT BROADCAST & EXHIBITION TAKES OVER TIMES SQUARE APRIL 22

New York, NY – April 15, 2026 – The 24th Annual Earth & Water Day “Love Your Mother” FREE Concert & Exhibition returns to Times Square (46th–47th Streets) on April 22, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST, uniting global voices for a powerful World Clean Energy Broadcast dedicated to peace, sustainability, and future generations.

Produced by Good News Corporation (GNC), a nonprofit humanitarian broadcaster founded in 2002, in collaboration with the Office of the New York City Comptroller Mark Levine, OMMM, and the Founders of Earth Day, this landmark event continues a decades-long tradition of inspiring environmental action through music, unity, and global participation.

Founder Reverend Paul Sladkus, All Faiths and Spiritual, who has led International Day of Peace and Earth Day concerts for over 20 years, shared: “We have been honored to work with icons like Jane Goodall and Pete Seeger. Today, we celebrate that same mission—peace, love, and hope—carried forward by future generations and millions worldwide. This is a historic nonprofit broadcast at a time when the world needs unity more than ever.”

This year’s program includes special tributes to Dr. Jane Goodall (accepted by the Jane Goodall Institute) and Pete Seeger (accepted by NYC Friends of Clearwater), as well as emerging youth voices representing the future, including Hudson Henley, son of Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman, in the movie Song Sung Blue.  Featured participants include virtual messages from global icons and UN Peace Messengers, such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Stevie Wonder, and UNICEF’S Shakira, alongside Indigenous leaders, a Nobel Prize recipient, and segments from Broadway productions including Pinkalicious and AMAZE.

The five-hour LIVE broadcast will stream globally via YouTube at www.youtube.com/goodnewsbroadcast and through the world’s largest environmental broadcaster, We Don’t Have Time. Media outlets and partners may request a free broadcast feed.

In addition to live performances and speakers, the event features an interactive exhibition spotlighting humanitarian initiatives. Attendees can participate in the 2026 Earth, Health, and Peace Research Study, contribute gift cards for the homeless through the Charles Bruce Foundation, and learn about housing and environmental justice efforts with Immokalee Fair Housing. Supporting partners will also highlight global water initiatives, including efforts in Tanzania and Uganda, and will include participation from Pat Boone’s nonprofit initiatives.

Since its founding, Good News Corporation has supported communities in need worldwide, including disaster relief efforts dating back to Hurricane Katrina and 9/11, and continues to expand its mission through global broadcasts and grassroots engagement.

WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

For the latest run-of-show schedule, visit: www.pausetheworldforpeace.org

Media Contact:

Good News Corporation (GNC)

Phone: 917-687-1790

Email: paul.sladkus1@gmail.com

Alternate Contact: rockstarjournalist33@gmail.com

Interviews available upon request.

Peace & Love,

Reverend Paul Sladkus, All Faiths and Spiritual, Founder, Good News Corporation, est. 2002 as a 501 C 3 Nonprofit 917 687 1790

www.pausetheworldforpeace.org

http://www.instagram.com/sladkuspaul

http://www.facebook.com/paulsladkus

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I’m pleased to share details of a special premiere concert taking place as part of the Jazz nad Odrą Festival in Wrocław, Poland

Dorota Piotrowska & Sound Circle feat. Greg Osby is more than a concert—it is a meeting of cultures expressed through a global jazz language. This international collective brings together artists from the USA, Poland, Lebanon, Cuba, and Norway, creating a unique sonic space where improvisation becomes a form of dialogue—both musical and human.

The repertoire will feature original compositions by Dorota Piotrowska, alongside works by Greg Osby, Hildegunn Øiseth, and Tarek Yamani, performed with the participation of outstanding musicians including Ameen Saleem and Barbaro Crespo “Machito.”

This project represents a global jazz dialogue uniting voices from six cultures—from Norwegian fjords to Arabic rhythms, from Polish lyricism to the legacy of American jazz traditions. It is a conceptually compelling and artistically rich endeavor, brought to life by an ensemble of internationally acclaimed performers.

At the center of this project is Dorota Piotrowska—producer, bandleader, and drummer—who uses this platform to explore themes of human connection and consciousness through music.

The concert will mark the official premiere of the debut album Voices of Human Consciousness, taking place just ahead of International Jazz Day, which adds further significance to the event.

Event details:
Date: 25 April 2026
Time: 23:00
Venue: Firlej, Wrocław, Poland

More information:
https://jazznadodra.pl/pl/25-04-firlej/#dorota-piotrowska

Follow and stay updated:
Facebook (Jazz nad Odrą): https://www.facebook.com/jazznadodra
Facebook (Artist): www.dorotapiotrowska.com

Drummer Dorota Piotrowska, originally from Lubin, Poland is known on the New York jazz scene for her swing feel and compositions that encompass modern themes rooted in traditional rhythms. Her band is comprised of a lively mix of musicians that seamlessly blend neo-bop and Latin influences in a progressive eclectic sound that references her background in dance and literature.

After studying classical piano from the age of seven to thirteen, Dorota discovered the freedom of the drums when a high school friend invited her to his band’s jam session. She recalls sitting in a corner when the friend  handed her a pair of drum sticks and jokingly demanded she play. “I thought he was nuts but when I sat down at the drums, I discovered something new.” – she said. “I found my voice within. It was natural and I had something to say that was different than when I played piano.” – she continued. “I was converted.”

“When I think of the new generation of drummers coming up I have to include this young lady in that group. Since I first met Dorota, her playing has grown so much. She is becoming a force on the jazz scene in New York and earning the respect of the elder drummers. Fusing Tony, Elvin and herself she is refreshing in her approach. I know she will continue her growth here in New York.”​

​Greg Hutchinson

Dorota attended the University of Wroclaw where in 2006 she received her bacherlor’s degree in French Philology, which gave her a life long appreciation for story telling and the structure of form. She combined her college studies with her love of music, performing and touring with a Cuban ensemble.After University, she decided to continue her passion for jazz at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam where she was introduced to the music of Ralph Peterson. A person of strong commitment, Dorota was inspired to move to Groningen, Holland to study with Mr. Peterson who has since become her musical and life mentor. A one-week college trip to NYC resulted in her enrolling in an exchange program at Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY and later transferring to The New School where she earned her second bacherlor’s degree in Jazz Performance with a concentration in drums in 2012. Dorota’s interest in international affairs led her to pursue her master’s degree in International Relations which she obtained in 2015 at the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership in New York. She did an internship for the United Nations Secretariat (Peacekeeping Missions in West Africa) and has been working for Air Quality Asia. In 2016 she also established her own educational program in Poland becoming the Artistic Director of New York Jazz Masters International Workshop.

Ms. Piotrowska gained valuable performance experience everywhere she studied. While in Amsterdam she met and toured with internationally famed trumpeter Saskia Laroo and also came under the tutelage of drummer Nasheet Waits whose initial confidence inspired her to commit to a career in jazz and to seek out the opportunity to study in the United States. Since arriving in the US in 2010, Dorota has performed at Carnegie Hall with classical composer Bob Chilcott, Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall with classical composer Will Todd in a piece conducted by famous Elena Sharkova and with jazz notables George Garzone, Jeremy Pelt, Mark Soskin, Lonnie Plaxico, Rory Stuart, Sam Newsome, Stacy Dilliard, Mike Rodriguez, Lafayette Harris, Benito Gonzales, Anthony Wonsey, Eric Wyatt, Greg Lewis, Carlo De Rosa, and The Curtis Brothers. In 2013 Ms. Piotrowska performed with her band and a special guest Jeremy Pelt at Jazz nad Odra Festival in Wroclaw, Poland. In the following years she brought her band to perform at Adi Jazz Festival in Łódź, Ethno Jazz Festival in Wrocław and many other venues. She has also participated in clinics led by Jeremy Pelt, another of mentors and appeared at Iridium, Smalls, Zinc Bar and Harlem’s famed Lenox Lounge.

In 2015 Dorota started a collaboration with a Polish legend of soul music Ewa Uryga. In November 2016 they recorded a live album at the Polish radio. Together with Mark Soskin and Luques Curtis the band has performed and major venues, festivals and philharmonic halls across Poland, including Komeda Jazz Festival, Jazz Od Nowa Festival, Kalisz Philharmonic and Silesian Philharmonic.

In 2018 Dorota moved back to Poland where she started a collaboration with Danish vocalist Cæcilie Norby and the European Sisters in Jazz. In June 2018 they recorded an album for ACT record label with Siggi Loch as the producer. The record was released in January 2019.

Dorota’s music is an expression of her life experiences. Her parents are doctors but she chose to be a musician which to her is another way to heal people. She grew up partly on a farm where folkloric music was a daily reality. French chanson was introduced to her by her first French teacher. “I owe so much to Ms. Kujawiakowska who taught me to dream and be crazy enough to imagine that things are possible, that they can happen. She at 60, was so much more open-minded than I was at 16. I was inspired to live my life my way and my mum’s love and support made it possible.” Her studies with master drummers Kenny Washington, Ralph Peterson, Gregory Hutchinson and Nasheet Waits have led her to find new avenues to tell her story through collaborations with choreographers and poets.

ARTIST BIOS:
Dorota Piotrowska is a Polish jazz drummer and bandleader recognized as one of the most distinctive voices bridging the European and New York jazz scenes. Including eight formative years in New York, she has built an international career performing at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Konserthuset Stockholm, collaborating with leading artists such as Jeremy Pelt, Anthony Wonsey, the Curtis Brothers, Ceacilie Norby, Sisters in Jazz, Jan Lundgren and others.  A graduate of The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Mus

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Earth Day: The Official Site | EARTHDAY.ORG

Decoding Earth Day 2026: Our Power, Our Planet Earth Day 2026 highlights how community action worldwide supports environmental protections that reduce costs, manage shared risks, and strengthen public health, infrastructure reliability, and economic stability across regions and borders.

Why Imperfect Climate Action Is Better Than Perfect Inaction Eco-perfectionism fuels guilt and burnout. Imperfect, collective action creates real environmental progress.

Colorful Ghosts Haunt Our Wetlands This World Wetlands Day, discover the algal ghosts sucking oxygen from our wetlands and poisoning ecosystems from Lake Erie to the Hartbeespoort Dam.

7 Ways to Ship Greener To celebrate Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day, here are seven greener replacements, their pros and cons, plus current swapping progress and alternatives in development.

Support EARTHDAY.ORG Since 1970, we’ve been mobilizing over 1 billion people annually on Earth Day, and every day, to protect the planet. Make a direct and positive impact on the environment today by donating to help fight climate change, plastic pollution, deforestation, and the scourge of fast fashion.

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In global development, few professionals have seen the system from as many vantage points as Hermina Johnny. A former United Nations specialist in partnerships, sustainable development, and gender equality, Johnny built her career navigating complex institutions designed to shape the future.

But it was a simple, recurring question—one she found herself asking in meeting after meeting—that ultimately changed her path:

Where are the women and youth?

“I sat in rooms focused on solutions for women and young people,” Johnny says. “Yet they were often missing from the decision-making spaces themselves.”

That disconnect—between intention and inclusion—became the catalyst for Aspire Artemis Foundation, the global nonprofit she founded to bridge the gap between policy and access.

From Global Frameworks To Ground-Level Impact

Johnny’s work across the UN system, the European Parliament, and international organizations placed her at the center of high-level coordination on issues ranging from climate change to human rights.

Her mandate was clear: build partnerships and design solutions.

But over time, she began to see a structural flaw.

“Too much of the system is built around conversation,” she says. “Not enough is built around access.”

Despite widespread commitments to gender equality—including global targets for parity by 2030—Johnny observed that representation in leadership remains uneven, particularly for women and youth from underserved communities.

Her response wasn’t to push for incremental reform—it was to build a parallel pathway.

Building A Pipeline, Not Just A Platform

Aspire Artemis Foundation operates at the intersection of education, workforce development, and innovation—with a focus on underserved youth, especially girls and communities across the Global South.

Its mission is both ambitious and pragmatic: equip, empower, and educate the next generation of leaders in a digital economy that is rapidly leaving many behind.

“At Aspire Artemis, we don’t just talk about opportunity—we structure it,” Johnny explains.

The organization delivers programming across STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), combining technical training with mentorship, leadership development, and real-world exposure. Its initiatives range from AI and digital literacy to entrepreneurship, policy engagement, and cultural innovation.

Central to its model is what Johnny calls the EMI framework—Educate, Mentor, Intern—a three-part system designed to move young people from potential to placement.

“We’re not just preparing young people to participate in the future,” she says. “We’re preparing them to shape it.”

The Mentorship Gap—and Why It Matters

One of Johnny’s key insights is that talent is universal—but access is not.

“Mentorship is one of the most underestimated drivers of success,” she says. “It’s often the difference between someone seeing a possibility and actually achieving it.”

For many young people, particularly in underserved communities, that access is limited or nonexistent.

“In places where youth unemployment is high, internships and unpaid opportunities are not realistic options,” she notes. “You can’t build a career pathway if you’re focused on survival.”

Aspire Artemis addresses this gap by connecting young people with global mentors, creating pipelines into industries where representation has historically been low.

The model is already showing results—from students gaining international exposure to young leaders advancing into professional roles and leadership positions.

Rethinking Women’s Leadership In The Digital Economy

Johnny is particularly focused on the future of work—and who gets left out of it.

In the tech sector, the disparities are stark: only 2% of venture capital funding goes to women-led startups, with even fewer resources reaching women in developing markets.

“That’s not a pipeline problem—it’s an access problem,” Johnny says.

Her solution is to rethink how talent is identified, trained, and supported—starting earlier and scaling faster.

Aspire Artemis integrates arts and creativity into STEM, promoting a more holistic approach to innovation—one that prioritizes emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, and human-centered design.

“The future of technology isn’t just about code,” she says. “It’s about context. It’s about who is building—and who it’s being built for.”

Why Representation Requires Action—Not Rhetoric

While global conversations around diversity and inclusion have gained traction, Johnny is clear-eyed about what’s still missing.

“We’ve moved past awareness,” she says. “Now it’s about execution.”

That includes measurable commitments to representation across business, government, and industry—and a broader cultural shift in how leadership is defined.

She also emphasizes the role of men in accelerating change.

“The most effective progress happens when men are active participants in advancing gender equality—not just observers.”

A Founder’s Mindset: Resilience, Speed And Vision

Johnny’s leadership style reflects the environments she’s worked in: fast-moving, high-pressure, and outcome-driven.

Her guiding principle?

“Think of yourself as falling into oncoming traffic—get up, dust yourself off, and move forward at great speed.”

It’s a mindset rooted in resilience—but also urgency.

In a world shaped by rapid technological change, Johnny believes the cost of inaction is too high.

“We can’t afford to wait for systems to evolve,” she says. “We have to build new ones.”

The Bigger Picture: Inclusive Innovation At Scale

With a growing global network of partners spanning governments, corporations, and multilateral institutions, Aspire Artemis is scaling its impact while maintaining a focused mission: create equitable access to opportunity in the digital age.

Its flagship initiatives—including high-level summits held during the United Nations General Assembly—bring together policymakers, technologists, and young leaders to drive cross-sector collaboration.

But for Johnny, the real measure of success isn’t attendance—it’s outcomes.

“We’re creating pathways,” she says. “Real, tangible pathways for people who have historically been excluded from them.”

The Bottom Line

Hermina Johnny isn’t just building an organization—she’s building infrastructure for inclusion.

Her work sits at a critical intersection: where global policy meets local reality, and where the future of work will be defined not just by innovation—but by who has access to it.

“We don’t just want young people to have a seat at the table,” she says.
“We want them to build the table.”

About Hermina Johnny

Hermina Johnny is a humanitarian and global development leader specializing in gender equality, human rights, and sustainable development. She has worked across the United Nations system, the European Parliament, and the International Organization for Migration, as well as in the private sector.

She is the Founder of Aspire Artemis Foundation, a global nonprofit advancing equity through STEAM education, mentorship, and inclusive innovation.

The post How Hermina Johnny Is Turning Global Policy Into Real Opportunity For The Next Generation appeared first on Good News!.

Listen to “Trisomy 18, Edwards Syndrome Takes the Life or Baby Marita – Her Mom creates Marita Brings Life Foundation thin 2 ours with a max. Life…” on Spreaker.

Marita at 2 days old. We were told she was going to die within 2 ours with a max. Life expectancy of 2 days This was her at 2 days old, alive and kicking.

Where Do We Grieve?
when it is our safe place
that died.
How do we tell lungs
to breathe through the pain
when they’re mourning
the air itself. –
Bereaved mum, anonymous
Abstract
This research aims at examining parents’ healthcare experiences for children with Trisomy 13
and 18 across three countries in the EU and the US, with emphasis on cultural, social and
medical perspectives on their interaction with healthcare professionals. The study using
semi-structured interviews explores how parents and children are wronged systematically;
ways in which there can be a clear lack of communication, ethical dilemmas, and ways in
which children with Trisomy 13 and 18 are stereotyped regarding the treatment that they are
given. Going further into the principal outcomes, it is worth to note that the parents are
essential in demanding their childrens’ care, as they actively dispute the medical
professionals and fight for their children’s rights, if the latter face withdrawal of care, or even
active unconsented palliative care. Additionally, the research addresses how parents attempt
to strategize against these situations by forming parent support groups, both formally and
informally, that allow better access to better healthcare facilities. Moreover, there are the
further findings of the research – the research shows that there exist serious violations of
ethical principles such as the principle of informed consent, the criterion of proportionality
and human rights violations with regards to equal access of medical care for the disabled. The
research shows that there is a need to design and implement better and sensitive health care
practices that respect the views of families with T13/18. For example, it advocates for
increased understanding of profession and parent communication, increased support of family
members and more attention paid to discrimination against children with T13/18 in
healthcare. These findings advance the knowledge in the field of Medical Anthropology,
Disability Studies, and Genetic Counseling that can be useful in the future health care
practices and policies for the families of the children with genetic disorders.
Acknowledgements
This dissertation is dedicated to my daughter, Marita, who was born on July 31, 2018, and sadly passed away
on September 1, 2018. I may never know if she would have survived had she received the care typically afforded
to a child unaffected by a chromosomal anomaly. My daughter was denied even the most basic care, such as
water and food. I extend my deepest gratitude to those parents who have entrusted me with their stories and to
the children who have shared their profound joy and love for life with me. In particular, this dissertation is
especially dedicated to Febe, who tragically passed away, most likely unnecessarily, while I was in the process
of writing this dissertation. I also wish to thank everyone who supported me in various ways. Special thanks go
to Professor Jonathan Gross at DePaul University, Chicago, who never stopped believing in my work.
Preface
It’s January 25, 2018. I’m about to walk the dog, feeling good, when the phone rings and my obstetrician speaks
in an aggressive tone: “You haven’t looked up your NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) results!” I calmly
respond, “Yes, indeed,…” I try to explain that I decided not to look them up. Upon returning home, I felt I had
been somewhat pressured into this. She had said, “It’s good to test because you and your husband (“Who says I
am married?”, I remember thinking.), will be able to provide better care for your child in case it has a genetic
disorder like Down syndrome. You’re 38 years old, don’t you think it’s a good idea?” I had answered, “If this
test is meant to help me get better care for my baby… if I can use it to inform myself, and if it’s not going to be
used against me or my child or my family…I would like to do it.” Thus we proceeded.
“But will my child get better care?” I later wondered. “Why should I do a genetic test if any child is more than
welcome? Wasn’t I causing myself a lot of worries and difficulties by knowing, instead of enjoying the bliss of
not knowing? What would this knowledge and the accompanying stress do to my child?” The obstetrician told
me she wouldn’t look up the results, and I had trusted her. “It’s your own responsibility; I won’t do it for you,”
she said in a snarky tone, while handing me a post-it with a login and password. Today she calls me, seemingly
enraged, and I don’t get a chance to stop her. She interrupts me and continues shouting statistical facts through
the phone.
“Your child has a 43% chance of Edwards syndrome. It’s similar to Down syndrome but much worse. It comes
with curved legs and arms, rock-bottom feet,… It will never be able to walk or speak. It’s the worst possible
disability there is. When are you coming in?”
I sit down on the puppy’s crate. He keeps pulling at his leash, eager to go out, and doesn’t pay attention to my
phone conversation. Nature calls. I breathe deeply, trying to buy some time, and respond, “Why should I exactly
come in?” I notice a hint of irony in my voice—a tone I would later recognise in other parents’ voices, much
later, after my daughter had passed away and I finally connected with them.
The obstetrician sighs and exclaims, “YOU SHOULD COME IN FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT. THERE IS
NO TIME TO LOSE,” then continues, “You were already late,” this time in an accusatory tone. (“Being
pregnant is not being sick,” I remember thinking to myself. I was barely two months pregnant when I had
contacted her.) “Which appointment?” I ask. (“A 43% chance of Edwards syndrome?” What on earth does that
mean? “Is the baby going to be half disabled?”, I remember thinking while drifting away into cynicism.
Thoughts are racing through my head at this point.) Before I have a chance to ask for further clarifications, she
rambles on:
“…IN BELGIUM WE ABORT SUCH CHILDREN. YOU SHOULD COME IN FOR YOUR
APPOINTMENT!!”
I now understand what “your appointment” means when she explains her cultural understanding of the matter.
This was also my first encounter with a typical discursive practice around NIPT, abortion, and having a child
with a trisomy disorder. “Coming in for your appointment” clearly meant “in Belgium we abort such children”,
the “appointment” was the “abortion appointment,” and “aborting such children”, apparently a normal procedure
here.
Calmly and politely, I clarify my position: “Whether to abort my child or not is still a decision to be made by me
and me alone, in whichever country I live.” I am not necessarily pro-life, nor am I pro-abortion. However, I am a
feminist, and nobody decides over my body and the little foetus growing inside me but me.
My experience also has a personal component. Following the standard DSM definition, I could be seen as
disabled (cf. I am diagnosed on the autism spectrum). Yet, I strongly align with how autistic sociologist Judy
Singer described our neurological difference: we’re neurodivergent, not disabled. Strictly speaking, we’re not
even necessarily autistic in the negative sense of the word. I have other qualities, other capabilities. I know my
value, and I have equal rights. My future disabled child has equal rights too.
“My dog needs a walk. I’ll call you back later. Thank you so much for your call,” I manage to politely utter. As I
put down the phone, I feel an incredible sense of unsafety in and around my body. I tremble as I walk into the
woods behind the house. Walking through the forest, I listen to the sounds around me, while the dog happily
runs about. There seem to be no problems here… until I lose sight of him and find him standing on the ice of the
little lake. He’s looking at me with terrified eyes. I’m terrified too. What have I gotten myself into? We’re both
on thin ice… and I’ve made a huge mistake consenting with this NIPT.
While helping the dog out of his precarious situation, I somehow come to terms with what just happened. The
doctor, whom I had confided in, had literally pulled the rug out from under me. Weren’t these results supposed
to be used to “improve and provide better healthcare for my child in case she would have a genetic disorder?” I
wasn’t even thinking about how she had looked up my results while saying she wouldn’t. It didn’t sit well with
me that now, all of a sudden, “better healthcare” was being translated into a—supposedly, if I could believe
her—national procedure to abort “such children.” How trustworthy was this NIPT actually? I wanted to run, as
far away as I could. This wasn’t really happening… THIS WAS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME, TO
US… At that moment, I even thought I could escape from it.
I walked, almost ran back to the house. I felt so small, so vulnerable, so full of adrenaline… I’m back at the
house and call the hospital: “I am calling in reference to my earlier conversation with Dr. X, you might know
about it?” “Yes”, mumbles the nurse. “I am calling to say I am withdrawing consent in sharing my and my
daughter’s medical files with any other hospital, including my GP.” The nurse responded: “This is not how
things work over here, maybe it’s different in the Netherlands.” (I have a Dutch accent.) “Yes this is how things
work over here,” I respond firmly, “I live here. I was born and raised here and I am aware of my rights. I do have
a right to medical confidentiality as any other person does. This right applies to my and my child’s medical files.
Also in Belgium. So again, I am asking you to clearly include in my medical files and those of my child, that
there is no consent to share them with anyone. Also not my GP. Please can you make sure to have a copy
available? I’d like to pick it up as soon as possible. I’ll drop by in 30 minutes. If it’s not ready, I’ll wait.”
An hour later, files in hand, I find myself buying a newspaper in the city centre. I need something to ground
myself in reality. But while reading the newspaper, I can’t stop thinking: “This is not my world anymore.
Nothing in this newspaper relates to me. I am here, you are all there. I’m in a different world. I’m falling into an
abyss that you all don’t know about. What is happening to me…?” Then the phone rings. My GP: “I just had a
call and heard you picked up your files from the hospital?” “There is no consent to share my files.” At this point
I feel I am getting angry. My patience is gone. “Yes, I know,” she rambles on, but I am barely able to receive
what she says, and feel myself sinking away, deeper and deeper, until I hear: “But don’t you think that if the
doctor advises you to abort, it would be wise to listen to her? Don’t you think the doctor knows better?”
That afternoon, I contact my former GP in the Netherlands and politely ask for a referral to the nearest Dutch
hospital. I am Dutch, live on the Dutch-Belgian border, and am insured in both countries (a luxury not everyone
has). I firmly believe that crossing the border, I would find a welcoming and nurturing environment—a place
where my possibly disabled child would be treated as an equal citizen. If I had only known.
Introduction
This dissertation explores the experiences of families of children with Trisomy 13 and 18
(T13/18), two severe genetic disorders, within the healthcare systems of three countries in the
European Union (Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany), as compared to experiences of
parents in the American healthcare system. The research investigates the extent to which the
differing views of parents and physicians regarding the care of children with these genetic
disorders influences parents’ experiences when they encounter negative eugenics.
Additionally, the study seeks to identify the culturally specific strategies that families employ
in response to these challenges. The study will compare parental experiences in the healthcare
systems of the US, characterised by a typical litigiousness and overwhelming fear of being
sued for medical malpractice, and these three countries in the EU, in order to understand how
modern-day eugenics is constituted in both the prenatal and postnatal context in these
Western societies.
A key aspect in the disability debate is the evaluation of the role of medicine in
defining disability in Western societies. As Foucault (1976, p. 252) argues, in biopolitical
states, ‘medicine becomes a political intervention-technique with specific power-effects.
Medicine is a form of power-knowledge that can be applied to both the body and the
population’. Similarly, Oliver (1990, Ch. 3) contends that the category of ‘disability’ is
socially constructed and fluid, able to resolve systemic contradictions within a given society.
Moreover, once certain groups are classified within this category, it becomes difficult, if not
impossible, for them to be excluded, creating a ‘distributive dilemma’ for states that can be
addressed in different ways depending on their mode of production. Oliver (1990, Ch. 3)
suggests that distribution based on needs may indicate the emergence of a socialist system,
while distribution based on costs may reflect a capitalist mode of production.
As Foucault argues, in its most extreme forms this ‘distributive dilemma’ manifests in
biopolitical societies in forms of ‘racism’. Foucault (1976, p. 255-259) argues that ‘racism’,
is ‘primarily a way of introducing a break into the domain of life that is under powers’
control: the break between what must live and what must die’. According to him, racism may
be seen as processes of stigmatisation, abandonment, rejection, expulsion and discrimination,
on the one hand. Or, on the other hand, as processes of killing or indirect killing…

The post Trisomy 18, Edwards Syndrome Takes the Life or Baby Marita – Her Mom creates Marita Brings Life Foundation thin 2 ours with a max. Life expectancy of 2 days This was her at 2 days old, alive and kicking. appeared first on Good News!.

The digital economy loves to talk about innovation. It talks far less about access.

As artificial intelligence accelerates, tech valuations soar, and governments race toward digital transformation, one question sits uncomfortably beneath the headlines: Who is being prepared to participate—and who is being systematically left out?

Hermina Johnny is not interested in incremental change. She is interested in structural correction.

Born in Saint Lucia and shaped by years of living and working across the United States and Europe, Johnny has positioned herself at the intersection of education, economic strategy, and gender equity. As Founder and Executive Director of the Aspire Artemis Foundation, she is working to redesign the pipeline into science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM)—with a deliberate focus on girls and underrepresented communities.

And she is unapologetic about the stakes.

“Digital transformation without intentional inclusion doesn’t close gaps—it widens them.”

From Global Policy To Ground-Level Access

Johnny’s academic background spans international relations, economics, anthropology, and international law. She earned her undergraduate degree from Connecticut College and completed an LL.M. in International Law and International Relations in Brussels, later pursuing research in constitutionalism and fundamental rights.

But rather than remaining in policy circles, she moved toward execution.

Global development frameworks routinely articulate commitments to equity. Yet implementation often stalls at the structural level. Johnny saw that disconnect firsthand.

So she built an institution designed to close it.

Education As Economic Infrastructure

Through the Aspire Artemis Foundation, Johnny develops STEAM-focused leadership programs, global symposia, and digital literacy initiatives that go beyond exposure. The organization integrates arts into STEM disciplines—not as decoration, but as strategic design—training young people to think adaptively in a workforce defined by rapid change.

Her framing is deliberately economic.

STEAM education, she argues, is not a social side project. It is workforce architecture.

“If education isn’t treated as infrastructure, we shouldn’t be surprised when opportunity collapses under pressure.”

Under her leadership, the foundation has convened programming connected to international development discussions and United Nations–related venues, reinforcing a simple but disruptive thesis: innovation ecosystems that exclude women are economically inefficient.

The conversation, she insists, must shift from representation optics to structural preparation.

Encouragement is not a strategy. Infrastructure is.

Small States, Global Systems — And Female Leadership

Johnny’s work also challenges geographic bias in global innovation narratives. Participation in forums linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN General Assembly, and the ECOSOC Science, Technology and Innovation Forum places her within high-level policy discussions.

At the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), debates centered on resilience and connectivity. For Johnny, the message was direct: small island nations cannot diversify their economies without digital capability.

And digital capability does not appear spontaneously. It is built—intentionally.

As a woman leader from a small island state, Johnny’s presence in these arenas disrupts two assumptions at once: that innovation leadership belongs to large economies, and that systems change is driven primarily by traditional power centers.

“Geography should not determine destiny. Neither should gender.”

Strategy Meets Execution

Before founding her nonprofit, Johnny built experience in business strategy and legal advisory work, including corporate and intellectual property matters. That foundation shapes her leadership style—analytical, cross-sector, and systems-focused.

But she refuses to operate solely at altitude.

She continues to teach and develop educational materials, maintaining direct engagement with learners. The result is rare: a leader equally fluent in boardroom strategy and classroom realities.

In conversations about women in technology, she pushes back against surface-level diversity narratives.

Representation without preparation, she argues, sets women up to enter systems that were never designed for them to succeed.

Structured pathways, market-aligned skills, mentorship networks, and institutional accountability are non-negotiable.

The Real Leadership Test

The digital economy disproportionately rewards early exposure and sustained access. Johnny’s work is built around intervening before exclusion calcifies into inevitability.

By positioning STEAM education as both an equity imperative and an economic growth strategy, she reframes inclusion not as charity—but as competitiveness.

In her view, the most dangerous myth in innovation culture is that talent naturally rises.

Talent rises when infrastructure supports it.

“The question isn’t whether women can lead in technology. The question is whether systems are willing to evolve fast enough to make room.”

In the expanding landscape of women in leadership, Hermina Johnny represents a category of leader that is increasingly impossible to ignore: not symbolic, not peripheral—but systemic.

She is not asking to be included in the digital economy.

She is helping decide who gets to build it.

The post Women In Leadership: Hermina Johnny Is Challenging Who Gets To Build The Digital Economy appeared first on Good News!.

NEW YORK, NY — Alina Bonsell, candidate for New York State Senate District 28, announced today that she will be running on an additional, independent ballot line named “Jewish Safety” alongside her Republican candidacy in the November 3, 2026, general election.

The announcement comes as independent petitioning will start April 14 through May 23, 2026, during which Bonsell’s campaign must collect 5,000 total signatures to ensure at least 3,000 qualified signatures from registered voters across the district.

New York State Senate District 28 spans Manhattan’s East Side, including East 14th Street through East 96th Street, Central Park South, and Roosevelt Island.

“The Jewish Safety line is about bringing people together across party lines around something fundamental: safety, identity, and shared values,” said Bonsell. “This is about building a coalition that reflects the reality of our community, not forcing people into political boxes.”

Bonsell previously ran for New York City Council in 2025, where she built a broad base of support across the district and demonstrated strong crossover appeal among Republicans, Independents, and Democrats alike.

The creation of the “Jewish Safety” line reflects that same coalition-building strategy, aimed at engaging voters who may not align with a single party but want leadership that prioritizes safety, stability, and common-sense solutions.

For Bonsell, the issue is deeply personal. “My family came to this country from the former Soviet Union because of antisemitism,” she said. “Jewish safety is not abstract to me, instead it’s part of my family’s history and part of why I’m running. No one in this city should feel unsafe because of who they are.”

“To move New York forward, we need leadership that is practical, not ideological,” Bonsell said. “People want safer streets, lower costs, and a government that actually works. That’s what I’m running to deliver for my neighbors.”

With a compressed petitioning timeline, the campaign is mobilizing aggressively to meet ballot requirements and is seeking to raise $20,000 to fund staffing and operations necessary to collect signatures across the district.

“This is a grassroots effort with a clear goal,” Bonsell added. “If we want real representation, it takes real participation. I’m asking people across our community to step in, sign, volunteer, and help us get this done.”

Visit Bonsell’s website at www.alinabonsell.com and follow her on Instagram @alinab.nyc to learn more.

###

Contact:

Therese Joffre

Alina for New York

(989) 948-2137

contact@alinabonsell.com
www.alinabonsell.com

WE WIN TOGETHER

Alina is running on the Republican line this election, but her prospects for victory increases if voters can choose her on an Independent, “Jewish Safety” line, with all votes on both lines counting toward her total. This is about protecting the safety of all Jews in New York City and creating legislation that punishes those who commit religious crimes.

 

To make that possible, we need to hire staff and collect 5,000 registered voter signatures, so that at least 3,000 will be valid. These signatures need to be from any D28 registered voters who have not already signed any other petition.

 

Your support will directly fund trained petition staff and help ensure we qualify for the “Jewish Safety” Independent line on this November’s ballot.

 

We need to raise funds to get this done between April 14th – May 26th so we legally qualify our Independent line.

 

www.alinabonsell.com

Bonsell Media Sheet

Alina
Bonsell
candidate for ny
state senate
Alina Bonsell is a Yorkville
resident, mother, and small
business owner, not a career
politician. In 1989, her family
immigrated to the United States
as Jewish refugees from the
Soviet Union when she was a
small child. She has spent her
life building businesses and
fighting to stay afloat in a city
that is increasingly hostile to the
people who make it run.
With 20 years of experience in
pharmaceutical operations and
private sector leadership,
including roles in regulatory
affairs, executive management,
and complex systems oversight,
Alina brings a track record of
accountability and measurable
results. She will bring that same
discipline to Albany.

We Win Together

She is running because she is tired
of excuses. This campaign is
personal. Alina is fighting for a
safer, cleaner, and fairer New York
for families, small business owners,
and everyday residents who just
want stability. She is not running to
play the political game. She is
running to expose what is broken
and fix it

ALINA’S PRIORITIES

Improve Eastside Public Safety
End wasteful government spending
Tax relief for young adults & new parents
Protect Jewish Safety with Stronger Legislation
Family Court Reform

ABOUT THE RACE

District 28 covers Manhattan’s East Side from East
14th Street to East 96th Street, including Yorkville,
Kips Bay, Murray Hill, Gramercy, Midtown East,
and Roosevelt Island. The seat is currently held
by incumbent Democrat Liz Krueger, who has
represented the district since 2002.

CONTACT

www.alinabonsell.com
campaign@alinabonsell.com
alinab.nyc
alinabonsell

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The post ALINA BONSELL ANNOUNCES “JEWISH SAFETY” LINE AS SHE EXPANDS COALITION FOR 2026 NEW YORK STATE SENATE RACE appeared first on Good News!.