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”.