We’ve all seen movies and cartoons where a tornado is heading right for the protagonist, who is running away and trying to escape. Like getting stuck in quicksand, we figure these situations are made for movies, not something we would even encounter in real life.
Frightening weather report
Gregory Beck, a wheelchair-bound double amputee who is also legally blind due to diabetes complications, was on his way home from grocery shopping when he heard tornado sirens blaring. In St. Louis, Missouri, this kind of thing happens regularly, so citizens know what to expect when they hear these sirens. In the case of tornado warnings, people head inside their homes as fast as they possibly can -- which was a problem for Gregory, who has a manual wheelchair.
Everyone kept telling me the storm is coming and you need to hurry up and get home.
- Gregory Beck
A helping hand
Gregory headed home as fast as he could as soon as he heard the sirens, but the journey would usually take him 25 minutes as it was uphill and required several breaks. He passed numerous cars on his way back home but nobody stopped to help him. They simply honked their horns and yelled for Gregory to hurry up. Finally, 16-year-old Seth Phillips and his mother Amber Gilleylen, came to the rescue. The teenager jumped out of his family van and pushed Gregory the remainder of the way home. Amber beamed with pride, recording her son as he did the good deed.
My hope is that other teenagers will see that it’s the cool thing to do, you know, it’s good to help other people. It doesn’t make you uncool to stop and help someone who needs it.
-Amber Gilleylen
An amazing example
Seth and his mother didn’t stop with just helping Gregory reach safety. They also started a GoFundMe to get their new friend an electric wheelchair and quickly surpassed their goal! The many people who overlooked Gregory and didn’t help him should take a look at the actions of Seth and his mother. As Seth himself mentioned, he did it because it was the right thing to do: “We need to be caring for each other and helping each other out.”
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.