The world’s most famous blue man, Paul Karason, also dubbed Papa Smurf, was born as a fair-skinned, freckled boy with ginger hair. In the 2000s, he became an internet sensation and made many TV appearances, openly talking about his condition. Let’s find out together why Karason turned blue and how he became a cautionary tale.
Paul Karason had a skin condition that made his skin flake, as well as acid reflux and arthritis. Doing his own research in order to improve these ailments, he found out about a solution of silver in water, also known as colloidal silver.
Colloidal silver was widely used as an antibiotic back before penicillin was invented in the 1930s. It was banned in 1999 in over-the-counter medications after scientists found that it can severely damage internal organs.
The late Paul Karason and his wife, Joanne
Karason drank what he believed was a miracle cure for over 10 years. Moreover, he even began to apply a silver preparation directly to his skin; he claimed his acid reflux and arthritis just went away. “I had arthritis in my shoulders so bad I couldn’t pull a T-shirt off. And the next thing I knew, it was just gone,” he shared.
Due to the silver accumulation in his skin, he started to turn blue and suffered from a permanent and rare condition called argyria. Only when Karason met an old friend who asked him, “What have you done to yourself?” did he begin to realize he’d become blue.
Karason claimed his blue skin had many advantages — he never got sunburns or had to wear sunglasses. There were some side effects he did not appreciate, however, such as folks “being less than polite” to him. Moreover, Karason confessed he couldn’t get a job because of employers’ resistance to hiring “people that are blue or that are noticeably different.”
Sadly, Paul Karason passed away in 2013 when he was 62 years old due to heart complications.
Papa Smurf’s story serves as a valuable lesson about the importance of being careful when it comes to at-home remedies. While it’s natural to want to find easy solutions to health problems, it’s important to be aware that such remedies can sometimes pose serious risks. It’s always better to consult a doctor and follow their advice for a safe and effective treatment.
Preview photo credit Inside Edition / YouTube
In the interest of the saint, please stop reversing into parking spaces!
Reversing into a parking space often seems like a good idea, but it also comes with some challenges. It can be difficult to judge the space required and maneuver safely, and there’s a chance you might miss something important in your reversing alerts, leading to potential accidents. Even with modern safety technology, reversing into tight spots can still be prone to error. Aside from the safety concerns, it can also be frustrating for other drivers to have to wait while you slowly back into a parking space, especially in crowded parking lots. In some places, reversing into a parking space is even prohibited due to the risks involved.
When reversing, drivers need to be extra aware of their surroundings, especially in high-traffic areas or busy parking lots. Without backup cameras or warning systems, maneuvering can be difficult. Newer cars may have cameras to help with this, but not all have these features.
Reversing into gaps can be dangerous because many drivers lack the skills to do so safely. Aside from battling with other vehicles and pedestrians, it’s also easy to miss obstacles. This can lead to serious accidents involving both drivers and pedestrians. Additionally, taking up more than one space when reversing is inconsiderate of other drivers, and in tight parking lots there may not be enough room behind you to maneuver safely. Even the most skilled reverse parkers often take longer than those who park upside down.
Ultimately, the potential risks and delays often outweigh the perceived benefits of backing into a space. Head-first into a parking space is generally safer and more convenient for everyone. It provides better visibility and minimizes the risk of collision or damage to vehicles. For larger vehicles or pickup trucks, backing into a spot can be particularly challenging due to the size and location of the spot relative to other vehicles.
In some areas, reversing is not permitted for safety reasons. Without visible brake lights when reversing, other drivers and pedestrians may not see you stop, increasing the risk of an accident. While reversing is possible in some winding parking lots, it is often a nuisance and a potential danger to those around you.
In summary, reversing into parking spaces can be risky and often not worth it. It can cause accidents, inconvenience other drivers and even result in parking tickets. For safety and convenience, it is best to park head first.
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