Protest / Rally Regarding Sex Change Operations for Minors in Tennessee

In January of this year, a protest at a “Gender Mutilation Rally” was held in Murfreesboro, TN. Prior to this taking place, some people never realized that multiple children in Tennessee underwent surgery in Nashville to change their sex from boy to girl or girl to boy. The rally surrounded a proposed law in the Volunteer State to make it illegal for a juvenile to undergo a sex change operation or to begin hormone therapy to begin the process of changing their sex.

Protestors against the proposed law for children to be allowed to make the decision to change their biological sex suggested it would take away their rights. The ACLU argues hormone therapy or sex change procedures are the only solution to saving some children from suicide – if the child identifies as the opposite sex they were born as and is having identity problems.

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In Tennessee, you have to be 18 to get your ears pierced, get a tattoo or go to a tanning bed… but protestors believe a teenager, or a child has a brain that is developed to the point of being able to decide to forever change their biological sex.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an adolescent brain is not fully developed until the mid to late twenties.

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“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.”

— Nelson Mandela

Others at the rally highlighted another proposed law in Tennessee that would not allow for a child or teen to attend a show or event where sex acts are performed before the audience.

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12-Year-Old Needs a New Kidney

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Photo Submitted of Leaven Wilson

Murfreesboro, TN - A young man in Murfreesboro, Tennessee is in need of the communities help… in the form of a kidney transplant. Leaven Wilson, a former Blackman Elementary School student, is currently awaiting the process of doctors seeking the perfect kidney match for the 12-year-old. Making matters more difficult, Leaven's blood type is O+, which means the donated kidney will have to come from an O+ blood type donor.

His father Elijah Wilson is hopeful that Leaven will be home this summer and able to begin his next school year in-person at Blackman Middle School. But for now, Leaven is staying with his mom in Colorado where the transplant will take place.

It has been tough on the entire family, especially on Leavan’s older brother Atticus and their dad Elijah who continue to go to school and work in Tennessee while Leavan receives specialized care in the area of Denver, Colorado, which is almost 1,200 miles away. There, Leavan’s mom, who is retired from the U.S. Air Force, is able to take the 12-year-old to and from therapy, doctor’s appointments at the hospital and more. Sometimes, Leavan has to visit the medical facility 3-times per week.

Back in Murfreesboro, Leavan’s older brother continues his daily routine attending Blackman High School while their dad Elijah at Honda of Murfreesboro. Elijah, who works in the parts department, said when he told his General Manager what was happening with his son, the manager’s first response was that he is there to help, even with rides to and from the airport – just let him know what was needed.

Hear the entire 13-minute interview with the family:

If you would like to help the Wilson family, you are encouraged to donate funds into a special account that is organized by COTA, which stands for the Children’s Organ Transplant Association. The non-profit focuses on helping children receive not only one kidney, but 3 over a child’s lifetime. While their initial goal of $50,000 has already been reached, the medical cost will far exceed that amount as Leavan ages. The fund will also pay for Leavan’s transportation to and from the hospital and for his family to stay at a nearby hotel. Keep in mind, the fund is overseen by COTA and is reserved for Leavan to utilize for his current medical needs and future surgeries as well.

Funds donated into Leavan’s COTA account are reserved for paying for his first transplant, followed by a second 20-years later and a third kidney transplant when he is about 52-years-old. Most people fail to realize that kidney transplant recipients typically need a new kidney every 20-years, which is the lifetime of a transplanted kidney. See the COTA website to donate by clicking HERE or visiting COTA.org/campaigns – and then type in Leavan’s Murfreesboro Zip Code of 37128. After that, a picture of Leaven will pop-up.

The March in Murfreesboro, TN

Profanities and life, during a vigil, which turned into a march for George Floyd.

Rally on Murfreesboro, TN Square

The Murfreesboro, TN square… a vigil held in honor of George Floyd. The event involved deep emotions for many at the event.

March on the Murfreesboro, TN Square

On the Murfreesboro, TN square tempers flared. Luckily, those tempers only involved words and not fists.

March 26, 2020: Social Distancing in Nature

Tennessee: Perhaps one of the most beautiful states to distance yourself from society during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The photos were captured in Barfield Park, which is a city operated park located in Murfreesboro, TN.

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The park is only 430 acres in size, but the massive rock formations are breathtaking.

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Fire Destroys Home 2 Days After Death of Her Husband / 1 Year After Death of Her Son

A fire on Friday destroyed a family home in Murfreesboro, TN...

The fire occurred just two days after Melissa Ashford lost her husband Herbert who was known by friends and family as Roho. 

Ashford told us that she was not home when the fire happened.

Ashford's family believes that someone started the fire on purpose. They told us that the Fire Marshal's investigation looks to be leaning towards arson.

One year prior to her husband dying and then her home being destroyed by fire, her son Zack died. Ashford recalls how he loved football at Oakland High School where he played...

Now, Melissa Ashford is forced to not only pay for her husband to be properly buried, but to also rebuild her life as her home and everything in it was completely paid for - but she did not have ANY insurance to cover everything that was lost, including her home.

HELP Melissa Ashford:

Friends of Mrs. Ashford have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to pay for funeral expenses. 

FULL INTERVIEW AUDIO: 

I had a chance to sit down and talk to Melissa Ashford outside the charred remains of her home on Monday (2/17/2020):

I also talked to Mrs. Ashford about the loss of her son about one year ago:

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Court Held in Homeless Camp

A Rutherford County, TN Judge did something a little different last Friday afternoon...

Judge Barry Tidwell held a Mental Health Court Graduation outdoors at a homeless camp in Murfreesboro. A man by the name of Thomas graduated after a lengthy, yet successful completion of the courses offered by the Rutherford County Judicial System.

Thomas became homeless after his mother died a few years ago. Apparently, her home was foreclosed on and he was pushed to the streets.

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Despite living in the woods, Thomas made his campsite as nice as possible by adding landscaping, a rock path, plants deliberately placed and more. His camp was welcoming and clean.

“Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is going to determine how you're going to live your life.” - Joel Osteen

Help for the widowed and disabled

Today I got a phone call from Fox 17 asking to meet at Select Inn to visit with Kathy, who was told she has to be out of the hotel by Tuesday morning at 11 after they extended her stay from the original ouster date of Friday. Keep in mind, it is not about rent being paid as it is always paid. It is instead about cleanliness.

After interviewing Kathy, who talked about her urgent need of getting into the government assisted Westbrook Towers or else she will be on the street Tuesday, Matt Alvarez (Fox 17) spoke to the manager. After that talk, things changed.

You may recall, Kathy is the woman with Cerebral Palsy who lost her husband about 6 months ago. The two once lived in the hotel together.

In closing, Kathy will be allowed to stay at the Select Inn, enjoy their free breakfast for nightly guest as long as someone can volunteer to help with the following, perhaps a church small group project for the next 6 to 9 months?

1. Help with bathing (wheelchair bound)
2. Help cleaning her room
3. Paying for / delivering a small amount of groceries

Photo: Kathy listens intensely as the manager of the hotel on South Church Street talks to Fox 17.

Magic...

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.”

— Roald Dahl

The bare feet of Hippie Hill

August 2017: Hippie Hill is known for bare feet and hippies. While it is true that not everyone on the hill is barefoot, the hippie ideals of accepting others has always been alive in the small community.

“On stage, I make love to 25,000 different people, then I go home alone.”

— Janis Joplin (1943-1970, died at 27)

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The future of the hill is somewhat up in the air as far as living arrangements go. It appears as if the government has been cracking down on their use of campers verses tent living.

It all has to do with zoning and it being called a primitive camping area verses a campground that allows for long term RV parking, etc.

Sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture… Government getting too involved.

While rules are rules, it makes sense to allow for special permits when many who would normally be on the streets are currently living in a community where they feel safe. It is hard to feel safe under a bridge by yourself.

Domestic Violence and Rape: Dark Photograph of the Past

If you saw her today, you would never know of her past that holds a brutal memory.

“He was a body builder,” she told me in describing her college sweetheart. Little did she know there was a monster behind his eyes.

After a few months of dating, she noticed John’s temper would easily flair. Sometimes he would jerk her around by her hair or grab her arm. Needless to say, it didn’t take long for Anne Henslee to decide that she needed to end the relationship.

After the breakup and fresh out of college, she returned to her apartment one night to find that John was waiting for her. Henslee stated,  “He was hiding in the bushes and jumped out of the bushes and grabbed my key’s out of my hand - -  he took me into my apartment and beat me up all night long… raped me.”

The attack occurred in Knoxville, Tennessee where she attended college in the 1970’s. Back then, such incidents were not taken as serious as they are today. Too many times the victim would be blamed by police for playing a role in the rape or domestic violence case. Therefore, Henslee never filed charges against John. However, a woman involved in a later relationship with the man did file charges after she was raped. John was eventually found guilty in that case and was sentenced to prison.

Today, Henslee shares her story with middle school and high school students in an effort to educate children before such relationships can lead to abuse or sexual assault.

This is Anne Henslee’s story (Below):

Domestic Violence Hands Project: 

Rutherford County, Tenn. Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center was awarded a grant from Tennessee Arts Commission and Arts Build Communities (ABC) for "These Hands - Hope and Healing," a photographic journal project that showcases domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.

The Tennessee Arts Commission's mission is to cultivate the arts for the benefit of all Tennesseans and their communities. They invest in over 600 nonprofits and schools impacting communities in many positive ways including quality of life, economic development, and tourism.

These Hands photographic project gives a confidential voice to the survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault through their hands and their story. With domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, it is so often the hands that inflict the most hurt, violence, and trauma. We are conveying strength, hope, and recovery through our photographic story.

"The harrowing, real-life stories of domestic violence and sexual assault can be difficult to share with our community because the protection of these people is critical, to say the least," said Kara Mischke, Community Relations Manager with Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center. "This photographic journal project is truly going to allow others to connect with these real stories on a whole new level. Art is powerful. Art is healing."

Participating survivor's stories and hands will be unveiled in partnership with the talented photographer, blogger, and radio personality, Scott Walker - www.smalltownbigworld.org. Our story is that hands are for so much more that is positive and good. Hands are for healing, helping, loving, holding, and most of all caring and empowering those around us to make our world a better place.

INSPIRE: Tennessee man diagnosed at 32 with Parkinson's Disease

On February 14, 2018, I sat in my car in the pouring down rain as I focused on a man who refused to give up hope. At all costs, he was going to fight a disease he had been diagnosed with a little over ten years ago as if he were in the ring with Muhammad Ali. 

“Don’t count the days, make the days count. ”

— Muhammad Ali

Jason Neely grew up in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He was into sports, adventure and fun just like any teen. But, things slowed drastically by age 32. He even contemplated suicide.

Neely, who is 43 years old today, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease at age 32. Despite the lifelong problem, he is encouraging others to never give up.

Hear the full 13 minute interview below:

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Above: Photos taken during Jason's brain surgery in 2013.

“Don’t imagine the worst… If you imagine the worst and it happens, you’ve lived it twice.”

— Michael J Fox, diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1992

Need more information? Visit the Vanderbilt Parkinson's Disease Center by clicking here.

Without legs, but not without dignity

Perhaps you have seen Thomas Bauguess outside between Walmart and the Stones River Mall in Murfreesboro, TN. He sits on a small bucket with two prosthetic legs.

Thomas who is homeless, says that he lost his legs in Iraq while working as a contractor for the government and because he was not actually in the military, he does not receive help from the VA. Instead, he receives a basic disability check. However, the check is not enough to receive approval for an apartment or trailer.

Some have made fun of Thomas suggesting that he goes home each night to a well-lit house.

One person even made a video of him waking up in the morning. That video was then placed on Facebook where multiple persons made comments that hurt both Thomas and his wife.

Thomas owns two trucks that were given to him after his aunt passed away. While the trucks maybe a distraction for those passing by, Thomas calls them a blessing because he is able to sleep in them to stay warm. 

Right now, Thomas and his wife simply need a rental home or apartment. That being said, if someone is willing to rent to them he says that he will not have any problem making the monthly payment and he will be an excellent tenant.

The Great Loss

In life, we can’t always look, feel or be perfect. In fact, it is impossible.

Sometimes we lose our friends or our loved ones and we feel buried as if we are the ones lost.

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen nor even touched, but just felt in the heart.”

— Helen Keller