CNN 5 Things 5 Good Things: This Grandma Went From Beginner Swimmer to Record Breaker
Nov 1, 2025
This episode features inspiring stories from around the world. Meet blind athletes advocating for baseball as a Paralympic sport. A man in Texas ensures Halloween fun for families in need with costume giveaways. Heartwarming reunions take center stage as a US Air Force sergeant reconnects with her retired K-9 partner. In Minnesota, a young girl makes a miraculous recovery just in time for a birthday celebration. Plus, hear about an 80-year-old lady who became an Ironman record holder after learning to swim at 59!
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Baseball Reimagined For Blind Athletes
- Blind baseball adapts the game using sound and blindfolds to level the playing field and create competitive play.
- Audible balls, silent crowds during plays, and base coaches guide runners to make the sport accessible and strategic.
Year-Round Costume Giveaway
- Christoph Wagner in Austin runs October's Child, collecting and giving away costumes year-round to families in need.
- He spends his own money and thrift-store time to give away thousands of costumes free each year.
K-9 Reunion After Service
- Technical Sergeant Tara Cummins reunited and adopted her retired explosive-detection dog, Erica, after the dog developed spinal issues.
- With help from American Humane, Erica flew from New Jersey to San Antonio and returned to Tara after seven years of service.