Tuesday, 21 March 2023

Exclusive: The first-grade teacher shot by her student describes her recovery.

March 20, 2023 | VIEW IN BROWSER

This is TODAY

The first-grade teacher in Virginia who was shot by one of her students in January opens up for the first time about her recovery in an exclusive interview on TODAY. Plus, the CDC says a worrisome fungal infection is spreading through U.S. health care facilities at a rapid rate, and we have four simple exercises you can do around the house for a quick workout.

The Latest

Exclusive: Teacher who was shot by 6-year-old opens up about her exhausting recovery: 'Some days I can't get up out of bed.'

Abigail Zwerner, 25, the first-grade teacher from Virginia who was shot in January by one of her students, spoke publicly for the first time about her grueling recovery in an exclusive interview with TODAY's Savannah Guthrie. "I've gone through a lot of obstacles and challenges," she said. "Some days are not so good days, where I can't get up out of bed." Her wounds are healing, she said, though she still does not have full function of her left hand, which was bandaged during the interview. Police said one of Zwerner's students at Richneck Elementary School took out a gun on Jan. 6 and fired a bullet that went through her left hand and into her chest. The city prosecutor has since said that he will not be pressing charges against the child. Tune into TODAY at 7:30 this morning to see the full interview.

A deadly fungal infection is spreading through health care facilities at an alarming rate, CDC says.

A drug-resistant and potentially deadly fungus has been spreading rapidly through U.S. health care facilities, researchers said in a CDC report issued yesterday. A type of yeast called Candida auris, or C. auris, can cause severe illness in people with weakened immune systems and has been rising at a "concerning" rate, the study's lead author told NBC News. The fungus, which is not a threat to healthy people, can be found on the skin and throughout the body, and about one-third of people who become sick with C. auris die. The number of infections increased by 59% from 2019 to 2020 and then by an additional 95% in 2021. Read more here.

🏒 A hockey player went into cardiac arrest and was saved by 3 other players. Here are symptoms he overlooked.

Brandon Miller, 35, was playing a pick-up hockey game in January when he went into cardiac arrest. Three other players on the ice who were medical professionals helped save his life by performing CPR and using a defibrillator to shock his heart back into rhythm. "I feel very, very, very happy to be here," he tells Today.com. Miller had been experiencing shoulder pain for a few weeks, but his doctor thought it was a muscle strain. He also experienced intense chest pressure while moving something heavy at home, but didn't address it immediately. Read more about his symptoms and recovery here.

Abercrombie (Yes, Abercrombie) is having a revival thanks to social media. Here are our staff picks.

In the past few years, the '90s mall retailer has moved past low-rise jeans, chiseled models and stores reeking of Woods cologne. Following a rebrand in 2016 and increased interest on TikTok, Abercrombie has experienced a bit of a revival, in part thanks to its popular denim styles, its Curvy Love line, and its flattering tops for a range of body types. We asked our TODAY Shop staff to share some of their favorite spring items, including jeans, pants, bodysuits, bathing suits and beach cover-ups. Shop them here.

Live Better TODAY

Achieve your life goals with easy tips.

Don't have time to get to the gym? Don't have fancy weights in your house? That's OK – you can still get in a solid workout with everyday items around your own home. Celebrity trainer Ben Bruno has the scoop on how you can do 4 simple exercises using everyday items as weights, such as a jug of a milk —or even a baby. Bruno also shared step-by-step instructions on how to master the exercises, whether it's a reverse lunge or a one-arm shoulder press. Read more.

What's for dinner?

Allow us to do the meal-planning for you.

Here's a dish that's twice as nice. Cookbook author and television show host Katie Lee Biegel shares a sheet-pan salmon dinner recipe that will leave you wanting more — and having more — when you use the leftovers for lunch the next day. All you have to do is heat salmon, broccoli and sweet potato in the same pan, along with mustard and honey. Whatever is uneaten can be combined with lettuce, celery, cucumbers, parsley and chives, along with an easy-to-make vinaigrette dressing, for an unforgettable salad. Get the recipe.

Daily Delight

A little pick-me-up before you go.

Since he was a small child, 14-year-old Eric Kilburn Jr. has struggled to find shoes that fit. The 6-foot-10 teen with size 23 feet has dealt with painful calluses, blisters and ingrown toenails caused by ill-fitting shoes, as well as sprained ankles during football because he didn't have cleats. At one point, Eric, a high school freshman, wore Crocs for two years straight, even in the Michigan snow, and his mother often cried while she tried to find shoes that fit. However, after a local reporter at Hometown Life published a story about his frustration, Under Armour and Puma announced they will be creating custom shoes and cleats for him, and strangers have donated money to help Eric find some comfortable footwear. "It's restored my faith in humanity," his mother told us. See the full story here.