Reflections
How much help is too much, and how little is too little? This post explores how anticipation, responsiveness, and connection support both independence and long-term well-being for children with limb differences.
Bullying does not always look like name-calling or obvious cruelty. For children with limb differences, social harm often exists on a spectrum from subtle exclusion to hurtful “joking,” sometimes coming from close friends. This post explores bullying as a systems issue and explains why adult support matters.
I wrote this letter to express empathy for all my mother went through raising a child with a hand difference — and to thank her for all the support and love she gave me over the years.
Overhearing a parent talking to their child with a limb difference inspired me to think about what I would have liked to have heard as a child. Here it is in letter format.
A highlight of Lucky Fin Project Weekend 2024 was talking to almost 100 parents about the prevalence of overuse syndrome in upper limb different (ULD) adults and demonstrating strategies to parents to lessen the risk for our beautiful children as they grow. But whatever I contributed to the weekend, I received so much more back as I connected with families and met beautiful, creative, and energetic little ones!
I was thrilled to participate in the 3rd annual Upper Limb Difference Day as a panelist. The event, a collaboration between Beautifully Made Community and the Orthopedic Department at Boston Childrens Hospital, took place at Lookout Farm in Natick, Massachusetts on a gorgeous afternoon! Speaking as a panelist about technology adaptations and overuse syndrome awareness…
Hands to Love Hand Camp 2024 offered me the opportunity to feel belongingness and connection while merging my personal experiences as an adult with an upper limb difference with my professional experiences as an occupational therapist. I am so grateful for this yearly gathering that celebrates upper limb differences in a warm and supportive environment!