Happiful December 2020

Good news you might
have missed
It’s not all doom and gloom – here we revisit some of the most uplifting
stories and positive news to come out of 2020, to shine a light on the kindness,
compassion, and empathy that have truly been the highlights of our year
Writing | Rebecca Thair
Illustrating | Rosan Magar
More women than ever are
directing films, a report
in January revealed, with
twice as many directors of
2019’s top grossing films
being female
compared
with 2018!
In March,
after 240
days, New
South Wales,
Australia, was
finally free of
bushfires.
MAGIC MELODIES
The right tune can
make a big difference,
with a study revealing
that songs with a slow
tempo, simple melody,
and no lyrics, help you
relax – and work in 13
minutes. Plus, if you’re
feeling low, 13 minutes
of music with lyrics
that you can connect
with may reduce
overwhelm. I guess
13 might be a lucky
number after all.
RAMPING UP ACCESSIBILITY
A disabled grandmother
from Hanau, Germany,
is paving the way in
spreading awareness
of the importance of
accessibility. Having
used a wheelchair for
more than 20 years, Rita
Ebel was frustrated with
the difficulty of getting
around town, and was
inspired by another
wheelchair user’s plans
for a LEGO ramp. Using
donated bricks sent from
all over Germany, Rita
builds and places the
ramps around her home
town as a useful tool for
others with disabilities,
visual impairments, and
prams, and to draw
attention to the obstacles
wheelchair users face in
their daily lives.
12 | happiful.com