Blue Origin is scheduled to make history on Thursday with a space launch featuring engineer Michaela “Michi” Benthaus, who will become the first wheelchair user to travel to space.
Michi works as an engineer for the European Space Agency, and this moment has been years in the making. She’s gone through astronaut-style training, flown on zero-gravity flights, and has been a strong voice for making space travel more accessible to people with disabilities.
The trip itself will be short — about 10 minutes from launch to landing — taking Michi and five others to the edge of space, about 60 miles above Earth.
But the meaning of the flight is much bigger. It’s been more than six decades since humans first went to space, and this mission shows that opportunities will be available for more daring explorers in the years to come.
Speaking of good news stories...
CHEF RESCUES SPECIAL CUSTOMER
In Pensacola, Florida, one man became such a fixture at a local restaurant that his absence immediately raised alarms. For 10 straight years, 78-year-old Charlie Hicks showed up at the Shrimp Basket every single day — twice a day — ordering the exact same thing: a cup of gumbo, light on the rice, no crackers.
Chef Donell Stallworth says Charlie was so consistent, you could set your watch by him. “Mr. Hicks doesn't miss any days,” Donnell said. “We open the doors up, [and] Mr. Hicks is there to greet us.”
So when Charlie suddenly stopped coming in this September, Donnell knew something was wrong. He left work mid-shift and drove to Charlie’s apartment. After knocking and getting no answer, he was about to leave — until he heard a faint voice calling for help.
Inside, Charlie had been lying on the floor for days, badly dehydrated and with broken ribs. Donnell got him help in time, likely saving his life.
From there, the restaurant staff stepped up. They brought Charlie his gumbo in the hospital, helped him find a new apartment right next door to the restaurant, and even fixed the place up so he could live comfortably and be close to people who cared.
This week, Charlie finally returned to his favorite table.
Donnell said having Hicks now living right next door "is the best thing going," adding, "He's that uncle. He's that grandfather. He's that best friend. He's all in one."
