Rene Kirby, a man who lived life on his own terms despite being born with a severe form of spina bifida, died on July 11 at the University of Vermont Medical Center. He was 70.

Kirby, known for his vibrant personality, iron will, and roles in films like Shallow Hal, passed away after two months of hospitalization due to infections and complications related to his esophagus, kidneys, and bladder, according to his brother, Jon Kirby.

Born with more than a foot of his lower spine missing and a spine detached from his pelvis, Rene never developed legs that could bear weight. He couldn’t bend his knees and was, as his brother described, “L-shaped.” Yet Rene never saw himself as disabled.

“Walking on my hands is just all I’ve ever known,” he once said. “I’ve never thought of myself as disabled.”

A Life of Movement Without Legs

Rene walked on his hands, skied, canoed, remodeled houses, and won state-level gymnastics competitions in high school. He navigated Burlington on a three-wheeled, hand-cranked bike built for him when he was 10. That bike served him for the rest of his life.

His mother rejected conventional medical approaches, such as braces or leg-stretching instruments, instead fostering independence from infancy. At nine months old, she placed his bottle just out of reach so he would learn to crawl using his arms. By age one, he was walking on his hands.

In a 2008 Stuck in Vermont interview, he famously said he couldn’t stand self-pity. “Life’s too short to be doing that,” he remarked. He proudly called himself “a gimp without a wimp.”

Hollywood Came Calling

Kirby’s charm caught the attention of Hollywood director Peter Farrelly in 1999 during a chance meeting at a Burlington bar. Farrelly, in town filming Me, Myself & Irene, was instantly taken by Kirby’s humor and charisma. He later wrote a part specifically for him in Shallow Hal (2001), a film about seeing beyond physical appearances.

Kirby danced with Gwyneth Paltrow on crutches and shared scenes with Jack Black and Jason Alexander. “He epitomizes inner beauty,” Farrelly said at the time. Kirby also had a small role in the 2003 movie Stuck on You and appeared in an episode of HBO’s Carnivàle.

Despite his Hollywood stint, he remained grounded in Vermont. He worked at IBM for 20 years and enjoyed stock trading in recent years. He and his brother remodeled homes together, laying tile, installing insulation, and handling carpentry.

Living with Spina Bifida

Kirby was born with a severe form of spina bifida, a congenital condition where the spinal column fails to close completely during early pregnancy. In his case, it caused major deformities: undeveloped legs, a spine detached from the pelvis, and significant nerve damage.

Spina bifida is one of several neural tube defects and ranges in severity. Some people experience minimal symptoms, while others, like Kirby, face profound physical challenges. It often leads to complications with the bladder, kidneys, and other organs—as seen in the final months of Kirby’s life.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, people with spina bifida often live long lives, but with a wide range of medical needs and physical limitations. There is no cure, but with proper care and a strong support system, many lead fulfilling lives.

Kirby exemplified this possibility, surpassing what medical textbooks might have predicted for someone with his condition. He even beat throat cancer, though he lost his voice in the process.

What Kept him going? His motto, “You don’t have to stand up to stand out,” echoed the spirit he brought to every challenge.

What Causes Spina Bifida?

The exact cause of spina bifida remains unknown, but researchers believe it's the result of a combination of genetic, nutritional, and environmental factors. One of the most well-known risk factors is a deficiency in folic acid (vitamin B9) during early pregnancy. This is why doctors advise women who are pregnant or planning to conceive to take folic acid supplements. Other risk factors include poorly controlled diabetes in the mother, the use of certain anti-seizure medications, and a family history of neural tube defects.

Different Types of Spina Bifida

There are four main types of spina bifida, ranging from mild to severe:

Spina Bifida Occulta: The mildest and most common form, often called "hidden" spina bifida. It usually causes no symptoms and may go unnoticed.

Closed Neural Tube Defects: These involve abnormalities of the spinal cord’s fat, bone, or membranes and can result in few or no symptoms, but sometimes lead to muscle weakness or bladder issues.

Meningocele: In this form, a sac of fluid protrudes through an opening in the baby’s back, but it does not contain the spinal cord. Surgical treatment is often successful.

Myelomeningocele: The most severe form, where the spinal cord and nerves develop outside the baby’s body and are contained in a sac. It typically causes paralysis and other serious disabilities.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued its 2025-26 outlook, predicting a respiratory virus season with similar peak hospitalizations from COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as last year. The agency also warns that COVID-19 hospitalization rates could rise if a variant with moderate immune-escape properties emerges.

While avoiding sick individuals is the first line of defense against the flu, cleaning and disinfecting your home after someone recovers is equally important to prevent the virus from spreading to others.

Cleaning vs. Disinfecting: Understanding the Difference

Before tackling flu germs, it’s crucial to understand the difference between cleaning and disinfecting. Cleaning removes visible dirt, dust, and germs using soap and water, while disinfecting targets remaining germs with products like sprays, wipes, or bleach. Experts recommend cleaning first, then disinfecting, for maximum effectiveness.

Focus on High-Traffic Surfaces

Viruses can survive on surfaces for up to 48 hours and on unwashed hands for about an hour. High-traffic areas in your home are most likely to harbor germs. Prioritize disinfecting:

• Doorknobs and drawer handles
• Light switches
• Stair rails

If someone was sick in a vehicle, disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as steering wheels, door handles, seats, and seat belts. Disinfecting wipes are convenient, but always follow manufacturer instructions and wash your hands afterward.

Kitchen and Bathroom Cleaning

In the kitchen, wash all utensils, dishes, and glasses in hot, soapy water or a dishwasher. Then disinfect:

• Countertops and cabinets
• Refrigerator handles
• Sinks and faucets
• Coffee makers, microwaves, and ovens
• Garbage cans

For bathrooms, disinfect:

• Toilets, sinks, and faucets
• Doorknobs and light switches
• Shower and bathtub surfaces
• Soap dispensers and toilet paper holders
• Floors and overlooked areas like toothbrush holders
• Consider replacing toothbrushes to prevent lingering germs
• Laundry and Bedroom Surfaces

Flu viruses can survive on soft surfaces like clothing, bedding, and towels. Wash all laundry in the hottest water recommended on care labels and dry thoroughly. Also, disinfect laundry baskets or hampers.

In bedrooms, disinfect doorknobs, bedside tables, bed frames, and drawer handles. Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors. For children, machine-wash soft toys and clean hard toys with soap and disinfectant.

Electronics Are Germ Hotspots

Mobile phones, keyboards, tablets, and remote controls can carry harmful microorganisms. Clean screens with a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with soapy water, or use disinfecting wipes carefully, avoiding alcohol-based products that may damage electronics. Consider wipeable covers for easier disinfecting.

Ventilate Your Home

Open windows if outdoor temperatures are comfortable. Fresh air reduces airborne germs and helps when using disinfecting products. Proper ventilation ensures that lingering viruses don’t continue to spread indoors.

Recovery First, Deep Cleaning Later

If you are still recovering from the flu, wait until you feel well before doing intensive cleaning. Recovery typically takes a week, but may take longer for those with underlying conditions or complications. Enlist help from family, friends, or professionals to avoid overexertion.

Flu is highly contagious, particularly when people spend more time indoors. Cleaning and disinfecting your home after recovery is vital to prevent spreading the virus. Start with high-traffic areas, then move to kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and electronics. Always wear gloves and a mask when using disinfectants and follow instructions carefully.

By taking these precautions, you help protect your household and visitors from catching the flu, ensuring a safer and healthier home this season.

A disease that slowly creeps in and affects one of the vital organs, may sound terrifying and rare, but it is more common than we realize. Fatty liver diseases are one of the most common form of liver diseases in children, and this number has doubled in the past 20 years.

According to the American Liver Foundation. About 100 million people in the US have MASLD, or Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, which was previously known as NAFLD. This happens when the percentage of fat in the liver is more than 5%-10% of the liver’s weight. While you may think that it doesn’t affect your health as much, but it can actually cause you a lot of issues.

How Does Fatty Liver Affect Your Health?

Your liver is a vital organ that processes food and waste in your body. A healthy liver should contain very little fat. Over time, too much fat can lead to scarring of the liver, a serious condition called cirrhosis. Fatty liver is common, affecting about one in three adults, according to Australian Healthdirect.

Fatty liver disease often has no symptoms. However, if symptoms do appear, they may include feeling tired or unwell, having pain in the upper right part of your stomach, or losing weight without trying. More serious signs that the disease has progressed and caused liver damage include:

• Jaundice: When your skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow.
• Bruising easily.
• Dark-colored urine.
• A swollen stomach.
• Vomiting blood or having black stools.
• Itchy skin.

What Should We Avoid To Make Our Liver Healthy?

Cases of fatty liver disease are on the rise, largely due to poor dietary habits and a reliance on processed foods. While this condition can lead to serious health issues over time, making a few simple changes to what you eat can significantly reduce fat buildup in the liver and lower your risk of liver disease. Gastroenterologist Dr. Saurabh Sethi, who is trained at top universities, recently shared his top three food choices that can harm your liver. According to Dr. Sethi, you should avoid the following three common foods to protect your liver:

Sugary Drinks

Dr. Sethi calls sugary drinks like sodas and juices "liquid poison" because they are full of empty calories. Drinks that contain high-fructose corn syrup can overwhelm the liver, causing it to turn the extra sugar into fat. This process contributes directly to fatty liver disease. Instead, Dr. Sethi recommends sticking to water, tea, or coffee.

Deep-Fried Foods

Foods that are deep-fried, especially in unhealthy oils, should be avoided. They contain high amounts of unhealthy fats that can lead to fat buildup and inflammation in the liver. This can cause liver damage and contribute to obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Ultra-Processed Foods

Items like chips, candies, hot dogs, and instant noodles are highly processed and harmful to your liver. These foods are full of unhealthy fats, added sugars, and artificial ingredients that put a strain on your liver, leading to inflammation and an unhealthy gut.

Dr. Sethi stresses that making these simple dietary changes can make a big difference in protecting your liver's health.

Gina Marie Bakery, a company located in Connecticut, has issued a voluntary recall for several of its cookie products. The recall was announced after the company discovered a major issue with its packaging: it failed to list some important ingredients.

Specifically, the cookies may contain almonds, sesame, and several food colorings without declaring them on the label. The company is taking this action to ensure customer safety and has stopped all sales of the affected products until the problem is completely fixed.

How Dangerous Are Allergens In Food?

The recall is a serious matter because of the health risks involved. For people with allergies to nuts, sesame, or certain food dyes, eating these cookies could cause a severe or even life-threatening allergic reaction.

Reactions can range from mild symptoms like hives and lip swelling to a dangerous condition called anaphylaxis, which can make it hard to breathe and can be fatal. Thankfully, no illnesses have been reported so far. This recall is a proactive step to prevent anyone from getting sick due to the incorrect labeling.

What Were The Major Allergens In Gina Marie Bakery?

The recall includes several types of cookies sold in 1-pound and 2-pound plastic containers. The specific products are Italian Mixed Vanilla Cookies, Italian Sesame Cookies, and several others, all of which were distributed to various stores in Connecticut and parts of Massachusetts. If you have any of these cookies in your home, it's very important that you do not eat them. Instead, you should return them to the store where you bought them for a full refund. If you have any questions or concerns, you can call the company directly at 203-596-8007. Here are the specific products listed

• Italian Mixed Vanilla Cookies
• Italian Sesame Cookies
• Vanilla Chocolate Dipped Cookies
• Vanilla with Apricot Jam Cookies
• Toasted Almond & Cherry Biscotti
• Vanilla Cookies with Raspberry Peach Jam

How To Respond During Emergency Allergic Reaction

In case you have consumed an allergen or believe you are having an allergic reaction, ensure that you take proper steps for the best outcomes. Anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergy reactionm is a very serious allergic reaction and a medical emergency. It requires immediate treatment with an adrenaline (epinephrine) injector, as a delay can be fatal. It’s important to know the difference between a mild reaction and a severe one.

Signs of a mild reaction:

• Swelling of the lips, face, or eyes
• Hives or welts on the skin
• A tingling feeling in the mouth
• Stomach pain or vomiting (especially after an insect sting)

What to do:

If you see these signs, stay with the person and call for help. Get the adrenaline device ready in case the reaction gets worse. A mild reaction might not always happen before a severe one begins.

Signs of Severe Allergic Reaction

Anaphylaxis is life-threatening. Look for any one of these signs:

• Breathing Trouble: Noisy breathing, a persistent cough, or wheezing.
• Throat and Mouth Swelling: A swollen tongue or a feeling of a tight throat.
• Voice Changes: A hoarse voice or difficulty talking.
• Dizziness or Collapse: Feeling dizzy, fainting, or collapsing.
• In Children: A young child may become pale and limp.

What To Do When A Person Is Having An Allergic Reaction?

1. You must ensure that you act immediately if someone is having an allergic reaction in front of you.
2. Lay the person flat. Do not let them stand or walk. If they are unconscious, put them on their side. If they are pregnant, lay them on their left side. If they have trouble breathing, let them sit with their legs out straight.
3. Use the adrenaline device. Give the person their adrenaline shot right away.
4. Call for an ambulance.
5. Call their emergency contact. Let their family or contact person know what is happening.
6. Give another shot if needed. If the person doesn't improve after five minutes, you may need to give a second dose of adrenaline.
7. Go to the hospital. Even after the reaction seems to stop, the person must be taken to the hospital and watched for at least four hours.
8. If the person becomes unresponsive or is not breathing normally, commence CPR