CLEVELAND’S CATASTROPHIC BALLOON FEST THE GREAT DEFLATION
While you may have heard of Fyre Fest, the disastrous music festival that became the subject of documentaries on both Netflix and Hulu, you may not have heard of its record-setting older cousin, Cleveland’s BalloonFest ’86. The event was supposed to improve the city’s reputation. Instead, it became a notorious example of an event planned with good intentions that ended in disaster. MORE THAN JUST HOT AIR On Sept. 27, 1986, Cleveland held the 1986 BalloonFest as a fundraising event for United Way. This charitable organization works to provide access to health care, education, and economic mobility for underprivileged communities. The idea was simple: For every dollar donated to United Way by Cleveland schoolchildren, two balloons would be added to the celebration. At the end of fundraising, the tally was 1.4 million balloons: a world record. SHADOWS FROM ABOVE After volunteers spent a full night and morning preparing the balloons and the net meant to contain them, they were released in front of Terminal Tower in Cleveland’s Public Square. With more than 100,000 people filling downtown, events quickly went from majesty to misery. The launch
went well, but as a storm swept in, the cloud of multi-colored balloons turned into a giant plastic clump blocking air and street traffic and littering nearby Lake Erie.
WHAT THE HELIUM?! In addition to shutting down a local airport, helicopters could not operate over Lake Erie.
Tragically, a boat carrying two fishermen had been overturned that day, and the balloons made it impossible for the Coast Guard to mount rescue efforts in time to save them. The largest balloon-related disaster outside of the Hindenburg is also notable for setting a Guinness world record, as 1,429,643 balloons were released at once. Unfortunately, that record only makes the event more notorious rather than giving Cleveland the prestigious victory it sought. No wonder no one has attempted to break it since!
PACEMAKERS CAN ENHANCE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE
In 2007, Donna Lulay, a retired educator, underwent open-heart surgery to replace her aortic valve. Fast forward to 2023, she needed another surgery to replace the valve again. Despite the successful procedure, Donna faced a common complication: Her heartbeat was slower than usual, putting her at serious health risk. At 66 years old, she was informed that she needed a pacemaker to regulate her heartbeat. Nearly a year later, Donna could return to exercising and traveling, more confident in her heart’s ability to function. Anyone can benefit from a pacemaker like Donna did, but if you’re still nervous, here are facts to get you started. WHAT DOES A PACEMAKER DO? A pacemaker is a small, battery-powered device implanted under the skin below the collarbone, with wires leading to the heart. It is used when the heart’s rhythm is abnormal — either too slow or disrupted. This device consists of a generator that provides electric impulses, sensors, and leads that deliver these impulses to the heart muscles. The pacemaker monitors the heart’s rhythm and corrects it when necessary. WHY MIGHT YOU NEED A PACEMAKER? People may need a pacemaker for various reasons, such as sinus node dysfunction, high-grade block, or damage from procedures like
open heart surgery. The procedure is relatively quick, only taking about one to two hours, and patients usually stay in the hospital overnight. Patients may have some restrictions on movement for a few weeks after the procedure.
Once implanted, the pacemaker is regularly monitored via a home system that sends data to the doctor’s office. This monitoring
helps manage issues, such as infections or complications with the tricuspid valve. Pacemaker batteries typically last five to seven years and are replaceable. Pacemakers are a life-changing
device that gives individuals with abnormal heart rhythms a chance to lead everyday and active lives. They effectively regulate the heartbeat, reducing the risk of severe heart complications and enhancing overall quality of life. If you have experienced these symptoms, a pacemaker will get you on the right track!
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