"Isn't he just full of it?" Amber Atwood asks with a laugh. "He thinks he knows everything." "I do not. I'm just right, and that's just the way it is," her son, Hunter Phifer, snarks with a grin. It's been six weeks since Hunter received a new kidney, and he is certainly feeling better. It's … Continue reading Hunter’s Hope — Commentary
Category: Fear
Hunter’s Hope — Article 5
At 1 p.m., Brian Smothers opens his eyes. He’s groggy, confused and in pain. He’s in a surgical recovery room but isn’t sure why. Before he falls back to sleep, a nurse asks him to rate his pain. “I am going to say a 10,” he replies. “But I’ve never been in this much pain … Continue reading Hunter’s Hope — Article 5
Hunter’s Hope — Article 3
Christmas miracles don't always happen on time. Today was going to be an extra special holiday for Rogers resident Hunter Phifer. He was supposed to be recovering from a surgery scheduled on Dec. 10 -- a kidney transplant that would have changed his life, and possibly saved it. Unfortunately, the surgery was delayed indefinitely. "I … Continue reading Hunter’s Hope — Article 3
High Anxiety
Going home for Christmas is a dream come true for most holiday travelers. But for some people, it can feel more like a nightmare. For the first time in three years, I will be joining my family for the holiday and but that's not what has my tummy rolling. It's how I'm getting there. I'm … Continue reading High Anxiety
Commentary — Ferguson
It was quieter than I expected. Ignoring the advice of my coworkers and defying my mother's protests, I went to Ferguson, Mo., to see the race riots for myself. I was traveling to St. Louis for a weekend vacation planned weeks in advance -- fine dining, trips to the museums, plenty of photo ops. But when … Continue reading Commentary — Ferguson
Light up the Night
Cody Steussy was in second grade the first time he was raped. "We were out riding bikes when he asked me to come in and play his new Nintendo," Steussy said. "After we played for a while, he said I had to pay for it. That was the first time he assaulted me." For the … Continue reading Light up the Night
Hunter’s Hope — Article 1
You wouldn’t know it by looking at him, but 18-year-old Hunter Phifer doesn’t feel well. “I really don’t know what it feels like to be any different,” Phifer said. “Right now I feel normal, for me. I get more tired than I used to. And I can’t really do what I want, but that’s pretty … Continue reading Hunter’s Hope — Article 1
Allison Carter Fanney 