And heck, if someone else’s day is made just by seeing me play sports or do really anything for a split second, then all the better.
I encourage all of the limb difference community and everyone else to really audit themselves and figure out if comments, compliments or inquisition bother you or inspire you.
I call these folks, “people with hidden struggles”…and guess what, we all fall into that category!
We all have gone through adversity and had to overcome.



I went to my sister later that evening and asked her the same question. ” Being so young, I knew I was different because of my hands, but I had no idea what impact that would have on me making friends, so I asked her how to make friends.
He feels the same way I do, in that we should educate those around us who either inquire or compliment us.
However, he has friends that are also in wheelchairs that share the opposite perspective.
I found that when I would approach a stare or a question this way, that more often than not, it would end with an “aha” moment for the other person and they could walk away with a nugget of knowledge and a new-found appreciation.
Throughout high school, college and even today I have been on the receiving end of stares, comments, questions and the statement “You are so inspirational”.
Right now, 795 million people on this planet suffer from hunger, and we don’t have enough arable land and fresh water to feed 2 billion more without incurring severe losses to the natural world. Studies show that by implementing better and proven management measures we can potentially increase the global fish catch by up to 15 percent from current levels.
I told her she should flirt a bit with him next time and watch him get hot and bothered.