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The Books — Adventures of Roxy, It's Okay to be different

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Roxy is a loveable dog who has lost a leg and is faced with accepting this difficult new change. When she goes to the dog park, she sees a dog sitting all alone looking sad. Maliboo is missing an ear. Roxy goes over and tells him about her leg, which helps Maliboo overcome his fears. The other dogs…

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musician

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Born with one hand, professional guitarist Tony Memmel taught himself to play guitar by building a homemade cast out of duct tape on the end of his arm. He speaks and performs all over the world sharing a heartfelt, motivational message.

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These are some of the books we have rounded up that feature characters with limb differences. Know of any we forgot? Post it in the comments or contact us! We would love to include it in our list.

If you would like to donate books directly to No Limbitations Texas, you can purchase books from our Amazon wish list to send to us directly! No Limbitations Amazon Book Wish List

Book Description Link

Different is Awesome

A little boy brings his older brother, born with one hand, for show-and-tell. The students ask him all sorts of questions about how he does things with one hand and realize that he can do anything they can do, he just does it differently. Along the way, they notice that we're all different in one way or another, leading to the realization that not only are differences a similarity we all share, but, they are what make us unique - AND AWESOME!
Different is Awesome

Awesomely Emma

I love being me, because me is an awesome thing to be!Emma has limb differences, but different isn't bad, sad, or strange. It's just different! But when some accessibility problems get in the way at the local art museum, it ruins the fun of a class trip...and then Emma's friend Charley makes things even worse! In the middle of a really bad day, Emma has to call upon her sense of inner awesome to stand up for herself and teach everyone a lesson about the transformative power of feeling awesome in your own skin.Amy Webb's follow-up to When Charley Met Emma, Awesomely Emma will have all kids cheering as they learn to see the inner awesome in themselves and those around them.
Awesomely Emma

What Happened to YOU?

The first ever picture book addressing how a disabled child might want to be spoken to.
What happened to you? Was it a shark? A burglar? A lion? Did it fall off?
Every time Joe goes out the questions are the same . . . what happened to his leg? But is this even a question Joe has to answer?
A ground-breaking, funny story that helps children understand what it might feel like to be seen as different.
What Happened to YOU?

Airick Flies High

Airick Flies High is based on a true story! Airick's journey reflects the life of author and pilot, Eric Gaffney.
"All the airplanes in the book are symbolic of different moments in my flight career. Airick was created to resemble the Piper Cherokees that I flew in flight school at the University of Oklahoma. Airick's mom is based on the MD-80, an airplane that American Airlines (my dad's employer) flew for 36 years, which ultimately sparked my interest in the industry. Airick's dad is modeled after a Boeing 737, the airplane that I fly for United Airlines.The hangar where Airick lives (301) is the house number where I grew up. One of the runways at Max Westheimer Airport in Norman, OK (where I attended flight school) is Runway 17, like the runway in the book. At OU I received the Stick and Rudder Award in 2009, an award given to the student who demonstrates the most readiness for flight, just as Airick received an award after passing his test.Airick wished he had two wings like the other planes. I often felt this way, too, and would sometimes hide my arm when I was younger. My parents were always my biggest supporters and were always there for me, like Airick's parents were for him.In my flight training and throughout my career I faced many obstacles. At different times I had to find my own ways to perform certain tasks. Like Airick in the book, I persevered and overcame these challenges to become a restriction free airline pilot today!"
Airick Flies High

Aven Green Sleuthing Machine (Volume 1)

Third-grader Aven Green has been solving mysteries for a whole month-cracking such cases as The Mystery of the Cranky Mom. But can this perceptive detective solve two cases at the same time? First her teacher's lunch bag disappears. Then Aven's great-grandma's dog goes missing. Fortunately, since Aven was born without arms, all the "arm" cells went to her super-powered brain instead. (That's her theory.) This hilarious chapter book showcases a new side to Dusti Bowling's unforgettable protagonist.
Aven Green Sleuthing Machine (Volume 1)

Aven Green Baking Machine (Volume 2)

Now that third-grader Aven Green has retired from sleuthing, it's time to conquer a whole new world: baking! Aven knows she's an expert baker of cakes and cookies since she's been baking with her mom for a really long time. Plus no one bakes quite like she does. She cracks eggs with her feet and measures sugar and flour with her feet (plus measuring cups), since she was born without arms. And now Aven has her eye on the prize: a beautiful blue ribbon for baking at the county fair. So she teams up with her friends Kayla, Emily, and Sujata. But it turns out they all have very different tastes and a lot of opinions about baking. Talk about a recipe for disaster!
Aven Green Baking Machine (Volume 2)

Good to be Me

Good to be Me celebrates our differences and gives parents the opportunity to have an open conversation with their kids about disabilities, race, body types, and more.
Good to be Me

Roxy and Maliboo: It's Okay to Be Different

In this super cute and playful read-aloud picture book, Roxy is a lovable dog who has lost a leg because she was sick, and is now faced with accepting this difficult new change. She sleeps on the couch and dreams of going to the dog park to play. When she is healed, she finally gets to go. Once there, she sees a dog sitting all alone, looking sad. His name is Maliboo and he is different too. Roxy goes over and tells him about her own experiences and insecurities, which helps Maliboo to overcome his fears. He and Roxy go and play with the other dogs, who accept them just fine despite their unique features. The lesson they both learn is that it's okay to be different. ﻿Roxy's story is meant to give children the confidence to be themselves and not let any differences dictate their self-worth.
Roxy and Maliboo: It's Okay to Be Different

Splash: The inspiring debut picture book from Paralympic gold medallist Claire Cashmore

Claire Cashmore, MBE and Paralympic gold medallist, was born without a left forearm - but she never let being different stand in the way of her big dreams. Splash is based on Claire's real-life experience: this gold-medal-winning swimmer really was scared of water ... until one day, everything changed! These are Claire's big sisters. They call her Bear and ruffle her hair. And whatever Claire's sisters can do, Claire can do too ...But there is one thing Claire won't do ...The water in the swimming pool makes her feel squirmy inside. Follow her sisters? No thank you! Not today?Can Claire conquer her fears? Can she set foot in the water - and what will happen if she does?Splash features a brilliantly bold heroine, who happens to be differently abled, and brims with fun, positivity and Claire Cashmore's inspirational growth mindset message.
Splash: The inspiring debut picture book from Paralympic gold medallist Claire Cashmore

Alf's Power

When children are hurt and upset, they are reactive but what if they could learn to be thoughtful and considerate? The story of Alf's power helps children develop their sense of self-awareness. This interactive book shows children how to reflect on their actions before communicating how they feel.
Description:When Alf (who has a limb difference) is upset by a friend, does he doubt himself and react or is he confident and reflective? His self-assurance and emotionally intelligent choices lead him to discover his inner power.
Inside Alf's power you will find: The story of Alf― A wonderful tool for parents, teachers and caregivers to empower their children by bringing awareness to what they feel and the choices they have of how they can express it. Did you spot― Bringing awareness to our environment and to nature by sharing information about sustainability and recycling. As well as inspiring young readers to design their own eco-friendly creations. A note to kind adults―Helping parents, teachers and caregivers to get the most out of the story by guiding children in conversations on diversity and discovering their inner qualities.
Alf's power is the first book of a 4-book series advocating children's emotional intelligence. The second in the series is Bea's Power teaching Self Love, the third is Caz's Power teaching Empathy and the fourth is Dia's Power teaching Gratitude.
Alf's Power

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These are some of the books we have rounded up that feature characters with limb differences. Know of any we forgot? Post it in the comments or contact us! We would love to include it in our list.

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Celebrating Differences Epic Book Collection

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Celebrating Differences Epic Book Collection

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This Epic book collection features books that celebrate all kinds of differences--limb, hearing, vision, and other physical differences. These books are a range of levels. Browse through to find books suitable for your grade level.

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Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under.

Get Started

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online access fun thousands children great kids ebooks books

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Celebrating Differences Book Collection on Epic

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Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under. Get Started

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Dad writes book for daughter with limb difference - second book in series will feature girl with dyslexia

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Dad creates inclusive children’s book for daughter with a disability l GMA

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Author and Advocate with a mission to make kids feel loved and Celebrated though her books, instagram profile, and Website

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Normalizing disability, differences within children’s books to break down barriers and create a world full of love & respect.

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Nemo's lucky fin talked about at 2:14

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fisherman dad explains his limb difference

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Luca's Casual Inclusion of Disability Creates a More Inclusive and Accepting Society - Respect Ability

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Los Angeles, June 24 - Disney/Pixar's newest film Luca has tackled several areas of inclusion - including one often not highlighted - disability. This film features characters who are sea monsters including Luca (Jacob Tremblay) and Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer) who travel to land and meet a new human friend Giulia (Emily Berman).

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Hook Hand is a supporting character in Disney's 2010 animated feature film, Tangled. He is the most prominent of the Pub Thugs, and serves as their feared leader. Hook Hand dreamed of becoming a concert pianist, which he eventually accomplished thanks to the support of Rapunzel.

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Audrey Antelope is one of Llama Llama's new friends, she has become a recurring character since season 2. She is active, happy, and fully engaged with life. She plays sports well thanks to her prosthetic leg and playing instruments like drums. She is a brown and white antelope and she has a shortened right arm and a prosthetic left leg.

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Llama Llama Meets Audrey Antelope | Llama Llama Season 2

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13 year-old Bethany Hamilton is a champion surfer looses her arm and now she has to re-learn how to do everything with only one arm - including how to surf.

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Based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a 13 year old competitive surfer with big dreams and a courageous spirit. Coming from a family of surfers, riding the waves is all Bethany can dream about. But her dreams turn into a nightmare after a sudden shark attack takes her left arm and her hopes of ever surfing again.

Soul Surfer is an inspirational film for the entire family about overcoming obstacles and turning tragedy into triumph.

Filmed entirely in Hawaii, it offers some gorgeous cinematography and wonderful surf-action shots and features an all-star cast including Helen Hunt, Denis Quaid, Craig T Nelson and AnnaSophia Robb as Bethany, the teen titan with a heart of gold.

Soul Surfer is a well produced film, that leans heavily on it's soul-lifting story, stellar acting and a rocking soundtrack on a moderate budget. It's encouraging to see such big Hollywood names doing such inspirational family fare without the inflated-sized salary demands.

Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid actually seem to be enjoying themselves alongside the rising talents of the young cast members, most notably AnnaSophia Robb, best remembered for her role in Bridge to Terabithia, Jumper and Because of Winn Dixie. AnnaSophia delivers a powerful and gripping performance that is sure to win your heart and leave you breathless as she struggles to overcome all odds. Carrie Underwood seems a bit misplaced as the youth pastor who comforts and encourages Bethany, but while her screen time is short, she proves that singing may not be her only talent.

For a film based on a true story, I got caught up in the action and well paced story-telling. I found myself entranced by and caring for each of the characters. When the shark attack scene unfolded, I found myself holding my breath and completely taken in by the film. A rare victory few films can achieve.

I admired the way the film presented Bethany's family and their Christian faith, being faithful to church and being such positive role models. But I was disappointed in the failed opportunity to present more biblical truth to a secular audience. Like many recent films being marketed to a Christian audience, the presented faith in Soul Surfer was played a bit too safe and generic to arouse any converts since it lacked in any gospel message, but if viewed with a Christan who knows how to use the film as a topic starter, it can be a great tool or ice breaker.

Another refreshing bonus was the lack of any profanity or sexuality, making it completely suitable and safe for viewing in a church or youth group setting.

I highly recommend this entertaining and uplifting film for the entire family.

Answer

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Soul Surfer: Directed by Sean McNamara. With AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, Carrie Underwood. Teenage surfer Bethany Hamilton overcomes the odds and her own fears of returning to the water after losing her left arm in a shark attack.

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Both the series’ main protagonists – Hiccup the Viking and Toothless the Night Fury – are amputees

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The How to Train Your Dragon movies are far and away the best work DreamWorks Animation have ever produced. For one thing, they're simply gorgeous to look at, bursting with vibrantly designed creatures and characters, framed by the expert hand of legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins. They're also compelling stories about tolerance and co-operation, centred around the fascinating, evolving relationship between a boy and his dragon, and they consistently hit emotional beats to rival even the mighty Pixar. But what makes the series especially fascinating, even quietly revolutionary, is its approach to depicting disability.

Both the series' main protagonists - Hiccup the Viking and Toothless the Night Fury - are amputees. When Toothless is shot down by Hiccup in the opening of How to Train Your Dragon, he loses part of his tail fin and the ability to fly. In the course of learning about dragon behaviour, Hiccup uses his ingenuity to craft a prosthetic tail for Toothless that allows them to fly together. In the film's climax, they work together to defeat a monstrous dragon - but in the process, Hiccup is gravely injured.

Courtesy of: DreamWorks Animation

The quiet scene of the aftermath is one of the most powerful in the film. Hiccup awakes in his bed with Toothless by his side. He moves to get up, stops, and looks down with a look of shock that soon becomes one of resignation. The camera settles on the floor as he lowers first his right leg, then the wooden prosthetic that now replaces his left. After a few fumbling steps, leaning on Toothless for support, boy and dragon step into the light of a new future together. It's a short scene, poignant but not melodramatic, and it's one that will go on to inform the development of both protagonists in the rest of the series. Their prosthetics are a part of them, but not the defining part of them.

By the time of How to Train Your Dragon 2, set five years after the original, Hiccup has flourished as an inventor. He's crafted a full suit of armour, complete with retractable wings for gliding, while his prosthetic has become more streamlined, looking more like the blades used by some athletes at the Paralympics. But apart from a few throwaway lines, the fact of Hiccup's disability is barely mentioned. Instead, writer-director Dean DeBlois uses it as an opportunity to deepen Hiccup as a character, by showing us the myriad ways in which he works around it.

Courtesy of: DreamWorks Animation

In fact, Hiccup isn't the only character living and thriving with the aid of prostheses. Gobber the blacksmith, a wonderful supporting character voiced by comedian Craig Ferguson, has a wooden hand which he swaps out with all sorts of detachable extensions, from a hammer to a beer mug. It makes for some good visual gags, but it's also never used as a way of punching down at Gobber; he's consistently shown to be competent and brave, even if he is going into battle with an egg-beater for a hand. Gobber is also canonically gay - another piece of subtle inclusivity other kids' films could learn from.

It's hard to think of another character in an animated movie with a similar disability that doesn't impact them or alter our perception of them. In Finding Nemo, Marlin's panicking over his son stems directly from the fact that Nemo was born with a deformed fin. In Treasure Planet, the cyborg Long John Silver has a frankly awesome robot arm, but his augmentations are almost immediately coded as a reason to fear him and foreshadow his eventual treachery.

Courtesy of: Disney

How to Train Your Dragon 2 features an antagonist, Draco Bludvist, who serves as a kind of dark mirror of Hiccup's experience. At one point, Draco reveals that he lost an arm (presumably at the hands of a dragon), and it's implied that this gave him the impetus to begin his plan to dominate all of dragon-kind. But it's Hiccup and Toothless, who have learnt not to be defined by their impairments, who win the day.

In recent years there have been a slew of kids' movies that have been unafraid to tackle heavy social issues, from Zootropolis'nuanced examination of racial prejudice, to films like Coco and Moana actively seeking to inject some diversity into the world of animation. But sometimes, you can say a lot by saying very little. The How to Train Your Dragon films are not about disability, but their handling of it and its impact on the characters speaks volumes. Let's hope that more kids' films follow their example.

Animation Disability how to train your dragon Moana the hidden world treasure planet zootropolis

About The Author

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How to Train Your Dragon's Refreshing Approach To Disability - One Room With A View

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The How to Train Your Dragon movies are far and away the best work DreamWorks Animation have ever produced. For one thing, they're simply gorgeous to look at, bursting with vibrantly designed creatures and characters, framed by the expert hand of legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins.

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Captain America: The Winter Soldier - Bucky Barnes

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Captain America: The Winter Soldier - Bucky Barnes

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Winter Soldier's Prosthetic Arm is a cybernetic implant attached to Bucky Barnes' left shoulder to be used in place of his missing left arm. Following the loss of his arm in 1945, Barnes was given a titanium arm by HYDRA. After the titanium arm was destroyed by Iron Man in 2016, he was given a vibranium arm by T'Challa during the Infinity War of 2018.

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Reality TV star with Limb difference

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Sarah Herron, Self: Bachelor in Paradise. Sarah Herron is known for her work on Bachelor in Paradise (2014), The Bachelorette (2003) and The Bachelor (2002).

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NFL Player born with only two fingers on his left hand

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#1 Featured Athlete - Carson Pickett (2/3)

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#1 Featured Athlete - Carson Pickett (2/3)

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Enmanuel Hansel - #1 Featured Athlete (3/3)

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Enmanuel Hansel - #1 Featured Athlete (3/3)

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Basketball player

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The Most UNBELIEVABLE Hooper IN THE WORLD! Hansel Enmanuel Has One Arm & NO EXCUSES!

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NubAbility® Athletics Foundation | The NubAbility® Athletics Foundation exists to encourage, inspire, instruct limb different youth (congenital or traumatic amputees) by getting them out of the stands, off the bench and into mainstream sports. Imagine the power of having a mentor who looks like you. [NubAbility.org] #DontNeed2

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For many campers, our "Nub Camps" are the first time they see other limb different children like themselves. Matching coaches to campers who have similar limb differences inspires courage and confidence. Imagine the power of having a mentor who looks like you.

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Major League Baseball Player with one hand Jim Abbott - MLB Motivational and Inspiration Speaker (eaglestalent.com)

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One-handed pitcher Jim Abbott's amazing no-hitter

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To educate and empower young people with limb loss/limb difference and their families to discover and develop a healthy, happy and independent lifestyle.

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FROM A SMALL CAMP IN 2004...

Camp No Limits started in 2004 with just four camp families. 17 years later we have grown our program and operate in 11 locations nationwide. We have goals to continue expansion and look forward to growing with you and your family!

FEES, FUNDRAISING & SCHOLARSHIPS

OUR PLATINUM & DIAMOND DONORS

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FROM A SMALL CAMP IN 2004... Camp No Limits started in 2004 with just four camp families. 17 years later we have grown our program and operate in 11 locations nationwide. We have goals to continue expansion and look forward to growing with you and your family!

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Nick Newell (“Notorious”) | MMA Fighter Page | Tapology

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“Notorious” Nick Newell (16-4-0) is a Pro MMA Fighter out of Milford, Connecticut and the #186th ranked Top Lightweight MMA fighter. View complete Tapology profile, bio, rankings, photos, news and record.

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Shaquem Griffin Stats, News and Video - OLB | NFL.com

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Latest on OLB Shaquem Griffin including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on NFL.com

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Come join a retreat for women with physical differences and discover confidence and self esteem through outdoor recreation and intentional sisterhood.

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Ready to face the self-limiting beliefs that have left you feeling misunderstood, mis-represented and isolated?

Come join a retreat for women with physical differences and discover confidence and self esteem through outdoor recreation and intentional sisterhood.

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Ready to face the self-limiting beliefs that have left you feeling misunderstood, mis-represented and isolated? Come join a retreat for women with physical differences and discover confidence and self esteem through outdoor recreation and intentional sisterhood.

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A retreat designed to unite and inspire young women ages 14-25 who face limb differences or the loss of a limb; to uncover the beauty in every story.

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Del Mar, CA / October 2021

A healing and life changing experience

A retreat designed to unite and inspire young women ages 14-25 who face limb differences or the loss of a limb; to uncover the beauty in every story.

Apply Here

A week to remember!

This retreat is full of inspiring messages, fellowship, fitness and fun designed to bring you together with other women who have experienced something traumatic and remind you that you're not alone, there is a God who loves you, sees you as beautiful, and gives you purpose.

Join us in 2021

Del Mar, CA

Enjoy expert health and wellness tips, including postural training personalized for your limb difference, courtesy Dustin Dillberg of Pain Free Kauai, Bethany's trainer and co-author of her book Body and Soul.

Get wet as you surf with Bethany and our experienced volunteer instructors from Surf Sessions.

Indulge in healthy meals designed for you by a private chef.

Application deadline has passed.

Apply Here

Cost to Attend

Attendee Rate

$875

This covers 4 nights lodging, all meals during the retreat, and transportation to/from the San Diego airport. This cost does NOT include airfare.
Payment plan available. Early bird discount available - Get a $100 savings for paying in full upon acceptance.

Apply Here

Ready to be unstoppable?

Sign up to receive my tips and stories on how to surf into a life you love.

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Beautifully Flawed Retreat | Bethany Hamilton

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Del Mar, CA / October 2021 A retreat designed to unite and inspire young women ages 14-25 who face limb differences or the loss of a limb; to uncover the beauty in every story.

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Hand Camp is the annual signature event for Hands to Love each year. For Family Hand Camp, we welcome families of children with upper limb differences from toddlers through eighth grade to join us every year.

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Hand Camp is the annual signature event for Hands to Love each year. For Family Hand Camp, we welcome families of children with upper limb differences from toddlers through eighth grade to join us every year. Teen Camp is run concurrently and is designed for high school students. Teens discover their unique ways of overcoming obstacles and develop strategies for becoming leaders and advocates in their communities. This weekend is the most well attended event Hands to Love hosts, where hundreds of family members and volunteers come together from all over the U.S.A.. Every spring, campers come together for an amazing themed weekend of adapted camp activities, networking and support groups, exciting inspirational speakers, parent programming and meaningful camaraderie for children with upper limb differences.

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About Our Camps "At camp people look for your differences, not at them." - Jackie Kenyon, H2L AULD What is Hand Camp? Hand Camp is the annual signature event for Hands to Love each year. For Family Hand Camp, we welcome

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The mission of the Adventure Amputee Camp is to encourage children with amputations or limb differences to stretch their potential and imagination, and explore all that is possible.

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Challenge By Choice

The mission of the Adventure Amputee Camp is to encourage children with amputations or limb differences to stretch their potential and imagination, and explore all that is possible.

Depending on the season, camp activities may include river rafting, high ropes, water skiing or snow skiing, and snow boarding. All activities are modified as necessary to meet the ability and interest level of each camper. Other activities (which can include bowling, crafts, games, swimming, horseback riding, biking, and winter tubing) may be less physically stressful, yet provide many campers an experience that was previously untried, unobtainable, or unimaginable.

Adult volunteers, with and without amputations, are role-models of adults who are living productive and fulfilled lives. The Adventure Amputee Camp provides children with amputations or limb differences the opportunity to nurture the beliefs and behaviors that many things are possible.

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The mission of the Adventure Amputee Camp is to encourage children with amputations or limb differences to stretch their potential and imagination, and explore all that is possible. Depending on the season, camp activities may include river rafting, high ropes, water skiing or snow skiing, and snow boarding.

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Della Duck is one of the nine main characters of 2017's DuckTales. She is the younger twin sister of Donald Duck, the niece of Scrooge McDuck, and the mother of Huey, Dewey, and Louie Duck. She has a bionic left leg, after her original leg was crushed by the wreckage from the Spear of Selene's crash, and was forced to amputate it somewhere above the knee to avoid being crushed by collapsing debris.

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Nothing Can Stop Della Duck! | DuckTales | Disney Channel

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High School Wrestler from Virginia Beach Born Without Legs Wins State Championship

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High school wrestler

Article: https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/33336723/adonis-lattimore-virginia-teen-born-legs-wins-state-wrestling-championship?platform=amp

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High School Wrestler from Virginia Beach Born Without Legs Wins State Championship

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Bethany Hamilton | Soul Surfer, Professional Surfer, Role Model, Inspiration

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Surfer

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Bethany Hamilton | Soul Surfer, Professional Surfer, Role Model, Inspiration

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I know life can be hard, but I've learned that even the biggest challenges and scariest fears can be overcome, no matter what you're facing.

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Paralympian shows tying her hair and her daughters hair with one hand.

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Nicole Kelly Crowned Miss Iowa Was Born Without A Left Forearm

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NYT bestselling author/speaker/aerialist born without legs

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Everything is Possible https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=ddDkMScm49c&ab_channel=JenBricker-Bauer Born without legs, one would think Jen Bricker-Bauer would be destined for a life of hardship. However, the hand of destiny brought her an amazing adoptive family, who gave her one simple rule, "Never say can't" and helped [...]

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I am a double Paralympian, born with a missing right hand at the level of the wrist, but despite this I am determined to ensure that my difference is my strength. I often refer to my life in sport as a "previous lifetime" as I retired from swimming in February to pursue my career in Law.

Before voicing my thoughts and feeling towards the #NotAWitch movement which has been established following the release of The Witches [2020], I wanted to take the opportunity to share what inclusion means to me. By definition, inclusion is the action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure. But to me, inclusion means much more than that. It means accepting people as they are and seeing their differences as their strengths. By embracing others and ensuring that they are included, it also gives you the opportunity to learn about other people and how their difference can act as an asset, especially as part of a team, which benefits us all.

As Paralympians, we have found ourselves in unique positions and through that, we were able to see the importance in seeing past each other's disabilities and appreciate each other's talents. However, these opportunities to see beyond a person's difference can be found outside of the Paralympic Movement and I believe that every single one of us has endless opportunities to appreciate the differences in others around us. We can all learn to appreciate people despite their age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, education, or national origin.

The Paralympic Movement has also been instrumental in changing the world's perceptions of those with disabilities. To give you some figures, 15 per cent of the world's population are disabled, yet only 2.5 per cent of people with disabilities reach our screens in the form of sport, TV and film. By all logic, and as a community, we should be delighted to see limb differences highlighted in films such as The Witches.

However, what we did not anticipate is for limb differences to be associated with Warner Bros portrayal of a Witch ie, a scary, frightening creature. Representation is something that we are constantly fighting for and although it is promising to see a limb difference made so noticeable in a film, the approach and connotations are potentially wrong and hurtful.

Following the release of The Witches, I started to see the distress become more apparent among the limb difference community and although I myself am not easily offended by the scenes, I am concerned for the next generation of young adults and children with limb differences. On the one hand, I am fully aware that this is a fictional film that aims to share a story of hope and kindness which I am in full support of. However, I am not necessarily sure that people are aware of the fact that the 2020 release has deviated so far from the Roald Dahl original which identified Witches as those with claws on the tips of their fingers. What we see in the 2020 film is very different from the original and to the limb difference community, it was an unnecessary and significant change.

There are many people out there, athletes being some of them, that act as advocates for limb differences. Many of these same people have overcome their own fears in order to finally feel accepted in a world that already defines you by your difference. These people have their own horror stories of being different and face comments every day..."your arm is ugly", "what happened to your arm", "your arm makes me feel sick" and not everybody is able to relate to how much these comments can affect people. As well as this, those with limb differences now face a new wave of unsettling comments that compare us to Witches! What I am trying to say is that regardless of my own thoughts and feelings towards my little arm, it is still difficult for a number of people to see a limb difference associated with Witches and even more difficult to anticipate what conversations may follow as a result.

It has been inspiring to see the #NotAWitch campaign sweep across social media so very quickly. Within the space of three very short days we have made global news and reached the main star Anne Hathaway. I would personally like to join the rest of the limb difference community in thanking Anne for publishing such a sincere and personal statement on her social media platforms. I hope that because of Anne's step forward towards raising awareness of limb differences, this can open up much more casual conversations about limb differences and the wider community and also allow people to educate themselves. I also hope that others can follow Anne's advice about kindness and having a reasonable level of decency towards others.

Finally, I am in no way saying "Let's boycott the film!". Instead, I am saying by all means, do watch and enjoy this film but please, please make sure that if you choose to watch it, also choose to make the conscious effort to have an open conversation about limb differences and let it be known that it is more than ok to be different from everyone else! Let's all keep moving forwards, keep educating and continue to embrace each other's differences!
Anne Hathaway, the filmmakers and Warner Bros. Pictures issue apology
The film star wrote on Instagram that she is sorry "to kids with limb differences: now that I know better I promise I'll do better."

At the same time, Warner Bros. Pictures issued a statement which said: "We the filmmakers and Warner Bros. Pictures are deeply saddened to learn that our depiction of the fictional characters in The Witches could upset people with disabilities, and regret any offense caused."

"In adapting the original story, we worked with designers and artists to come up with a new interpretation of the cat-like claws that are described in the book. It was never the intention for viewers to feel that the fantastical, non-human creatures were meant to represent them. This film is about the power of kindness and friendship. It is our hope that families and children can enjoy the film and embrace this empowering, love-filled theme."

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Hear my voice: Amy Marren talks limb difference and #NotAWitch

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I am a double Paralympian, born with a missing right hand at the level of the wrist, but despite this I am determined to ensure that my difference is my strength. I often refer to my life in sport as a "previous lifetime" as I retired from swimming in February to pursue my career in Law.

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Celebrities With Limb Differences? - Prestige Employment Solutions

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You may have heard that those with disabilities can’t work, or that they are less productive than someone without a limb difference. People with limb differences are often looked at as disabled but while they have to adjust to different obstacles in their life, it does not mean that they…

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Jordan Reeves is like many active 13-year-olds: She loves running, cheerleading and playing basketball, and she even plays the piano and trumpet.

She also happens to do it all with one full arm. Reeves was born with a left arm that stopped growing just above the elbow.

But Reeves has never let this hold her back. In fact, her limb difference inspired her to become a designer, as well as a role model for other kids with physical differences. That's why today is honoring her as a Groundbreaker for International Day of the Girl.

Reeves rose to fame in 2016 when she designed a 3D-printed prosthetic arm with a special superpower: it shoots biodegradable glitter in honor of her alter ego, Glitter Girl.

She got the idea at Superhero Cyborgs 2.0, a San Francisco camp for kids with upper limb differences.

"They told us that we could design anything that we wanted to off of our disability. I decided that I wanted to shoot glitter," Reeves told TODAY. "It was just really in the moment, like, 'This would be really cool.'"

After the camp, Reeves returned home to Columbia, Missouri, and continued working on her prosthetic design, aka Project Unicorn, via weekly calls with a professional designer.

Her mom, Jen Lee Reeves, posted about Project Unicorn online and Reeve's inspiring story soon went viral.

Before long, Reeves was everywhere: She made national headlines, gave multiple TEDx talks and even had the chance to pitch Project Unicorn to the "Shark Tank" investors during an episode of "The Rachael Ray Show."

This is a lot for anyone to handle, but Reeves said she's never felt too nervous in the public eye.

"I've always been really public about everything, and I've grown up to be confident about myself," she told TODAY.

Reeves has always had a fiercely independent streak, which her parents encouraged as she grew up. Even though she sometimes needed to do things differently because of her arm, her mom and dad allowed her to figure things out by herself.

In Reeves' eyes, this has made her a great problem solver.

"I like to do stuff on my own," Reeves said. "I appreciated (my parents' approach) a lot because I feel like I'd be more needing help with everything and I wouldn't be confident in my ability to do things. I appreciate them doing that."

Reeves has turned her limb difference into a source of strength, but she admits it can still be frustrating when people stare at her arm in public.

"I feel like the hardest part about having a disability is judgment," she said. "You really just want to blend in at some times. At some points, you just want to stand out and I get that. But when you do stand out, the stares can really hurt sometimes. I know, personally, I'd like to be seen as my personality and not by my disability because I think I have a good personality."

In 2017, Reeves and her mom co-founded Born Just Right, a nonprofit foundation that brings together families and kids dealing with limb differences and similar challenges.

The organization also helps kids learn the design and STEM tools they need to find their own creative solutions to living with a physical difference, like Reeves did with Project Unicorn.

Building on the work of their foundation, the mother-daughter duo recently wrote a book together, " Born Just Right," about Reeves' empowering story.

Both mother and daughter and fighting to increase awareness and representation for people living with physical differences, including in the toy industry. Reeves petitioned American Girl to create a doll with a limb difference, and she recently worked with Mattel to help them develop a Barbie with a prosthetic leg.

"I'm super proud of her," Jen Lee Reeves told TODAY. "What I think people don't realize is this was years and years of work that Jordan has put in ... she's proved that time and energy can really lead to big things if you just keep believing."

Reeves says her mom is one of her biggest female inspirations.

"My mom (is my role model) because she's always been there for me, and she's confident and amazing, and I love her," she said.

Reeves has become a role model herself for other girls living with a disability. She says kids sometimes write to her online or approach her at events to tell her how much she's inspired them.

"I think it's really cool," she said. "I don't think I see myself as someone that big, and just knowing that kids are inspired by me just blows my mind."

Now in the eighth grade, Reeves is busy as ever. She and three other young members of Born Just Right just launched a new youth consultancy, Make Just Right. The idea is that companies will consult them when they need input on inclusive designs, like Mattel sought Jordan's expertise as they designed a Barbie with a prosthetic limb.

"They're trying to expand the knowledge that they have in design, so more kids can do what she's doing, and give that kind of input to companies that need it," her mom explained.

Looking ahead, Reeves' career options seem pretty much limitless. Right now, she's dreaming of becoming a designer.

"I think I want to be a designer and design cool stuff for accessibility, but also just cool stuff overall," she said. "We'll see."

In the meantime, Jordan has some advice for other young girls living with a physical difference.

"My advice would be just believe in yourself even when times get hard," she said. "Be confident in your personality no matter how annoying the stares may get ... You can do amazing things, and don't let anyone hold you back."

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This 13-year-old designer isn't letting her limb difference hold her back

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Angel Giuffria, an actress in Hollywood who happens to have a congenital limb difference, uses her ... [+]
Angel Giuffria

Since the pandemic began, Angel Giuffria has lived with her parents at her childhood home, located in a small town about 40 minutes outside of New Orleans, Louisiana. It's been a continual struggle, deciding whether to stay or head back to Los Angeles, where she had been living pre-Covid-19 and where her career had been thriving.

But the pandemic paused her upwards career trajectory, where Giuffria had finally begun seeing consistent work. She says she went from auditioning once every few months to auditioning three to four times a week. Then the virus struck, Hollywood shut down, and opportunities dwindled for Giuffria.

Giuffria, who has appeared in NBC's Chicago Med, CBS' FBI Most Wanted, and films such as The Accountant, has been making her way through Hollywood, a dream that began when she was a student. For as long as she can remember, Giuffria dreamt of acting, which some may have found unrealistic because of her congenital limb difference: Giuffria was born without her left arm.

"Honestly," Giuffria said, "It doesn't affect anything."

Before she was born, there were no signs that Giuffria would be missing her arm. Ultrasounds hadn't evolved to what they are today, so anything her parents saw appeared as a shadow- there was no reason to be alarmed.

Towards the end of her mother's pregnancy, Giuffria says, she started experiencing Braxton Hicks, or false labor pains, which put her on bed rest. While in bed, Giuffria's mom watched the local news when a story about myoelectric-controlled arms for babies and children appeared. Giuffria says her mom, a nurse, thought the story was incredible. Little did she know that she would give birth to a baby missing an arm in a matter of weeks.

"A week later, the newspaper where I lived had run the story. All of our neighbors showed up with the newspaper. My mom had kept them until probably like ten years ago," Giuffria said. "I was like, 'Mom, why do we have 30 of the same newspaper?'"

Angel Giuffria, as a baby, with her tiny myoelectric-controlled arm.
Angel Giuffria

Myoelectric was located in Houston, Texas, about four hours from where the Giuffria family was living at the time. Almost immediately, Giuffria says her mom took her to be fitted for a prosthetic.

"I got a passive, so a non-moving device, at four weeks old, and then they started training me. And then, at four months and ten days old, I was able to operate and use the little tiny robot arm by myself," Giuffria said.

Giuffria would become the youngest in the world to wear a myoelectric prosthesis, even being featured on the latest season of Ripley's Believe It or Not.

Giuffria went on to use prosthetics for most of her life- something that made her stand out in a school where she was the only person with a congenital limb difference. She remembers feeling different and often being teased.

"The problem was never that I had one arm, the problem was how people reacted," Giuffria said.

"People didn't understand, or people were raised to think this or that. And I was constantly, even as a child, thinking, 'how do I talk to this adult to convince them that I'm okay?'"

"Once I got into high school, I got pretty good at figuring out: this is the thing I need to say to this person for them to realize I am okay, and this is the thing I need to say to this person because if I make a joke, they don't want to hear any jokes that would make them uncomfortable."

Giuffria was involved in plays and musicals as a child, even attending a program at her hometown theater. But when she got to college at Southeastern Louisiana University, she majored in psychology.

"I don't think I ever thought that acting could be my job because I had never seen anybody like me, which is a common thing that we talk about within the disability community," she said.

While she was in college, post-Hurricane Katrina, there were film incentives in New Orleans, making Louisiana the "Hollywood South." To make extra money, Giuffria decided to start doing 'extra' work - often finding herself on sets of television shows and major motion pictures.

And then the moment that changed everything.

Giuffria was on set for Green Lantern, starring Ryan Reynolds. One day, the director, Martin Campbell, known for directing Casino Royale, among others, decided last-minute he needed a featured extra- a role that hadn't already been written in the script.

"The PA (production assistant) came in first and was like, I need to pick 12 girls, and he was like you, you, you come in this room," Giuffria said. "And then it got down to three of us and then finally, Martin Campbell walked in, looked at the three of us for like two seconds, and said, 'her' [pointing to Giuffria.]"

Giuffria was rushed to hair and makeup. They chose her for a scene where she would play a student who was late for class. Giuffria was instructed to throw open the door and sit down while the teacher was giving a speech.

"All of a sudden, I realized they didn't notice I have one arm," Giuffria said.

At the time, Giuffria was wearing a cosmetic, flesh-like, prosthesis and she was wearing a long-sleeve shirt. Giuffria started to panic, her mind going a mile a minute, fearful of what would happen if the crew realized she was missing a limb.

"I'm thinking - I have to tell them because if they find out is this going to be awkward? Is he [the director] going to tell me, 'why is she so stiff while she's running in front of everybody?' Or is he going to want to pick someone else?"

"So I go to the PA, and I say, 'I'm sorry, but I need to speak to the director.' And he just laughed in my face because I'm this extra asking to talk to the director. I look at him, and I'm like, 'I have one arm.' And he looks down, and he was like, 'I'll be right back,'" Giuffria said.

When she finally had the chance to talk to Campbell, Giuffria said that she told him about her arm through scrambled words and nervous energy.

"I told him, I understand if you want to pick someone else for this part, and he looked at me, and he was like, 'are you in school?' And I was like, 'yeah,' and he's like, 'have you ever been late for class before?' And I was like, 'yeah,' and he goes, 'well, I don't see a reason why you can't do this," Giuffria said.

"I was shocked because I never thought that somebody like him would agree with the fact that I could just be there."

From there, Giuffria dived into acting. She started taking classes, obtained an agent, and even landed a role in The Accountant, starring Ben Affleck.

Although Giuffria has been fortunate enough to book television, film, and commercial roles, she says, most of them have had to do with her arm and her ability to use a prosthetic. Most of the time, she is playing a service member who lost her arm in battle.

"Because it seems like 90% of the things I book are the only amputees on TV that must have been in the military, and it's just perpetuating the idea that we don't exist outside of this," Giuffria said.

"Some of us aren't [service members], and why aren't those stories being told?"

In 2018, Giuffria landed one of her first roles that had nothing to do with her arm. She played a flower clerk in the film Hover. Giuffria credits casting directors who believe in the work of actors with disabilities for helping her land this role, and others that have nothing to do with her disability.

Angel Giuffria playing a flower clerk in the film Hover.
Angel Giuffria

"I was so stoked to be the flower clerk," Giuffria said. "My dad was like 'you don't have a name.' But I'm like, 'I don't care, I am a flower clerk! Not like robot flower clerk.'"

As quickly as Giuffria started booking, many of those parts, not focused on her limb difference, were as fast as they disappeared when the pandemic began. Giuffria fears for disability representation in the industry moving forward.

People with disabilities make up about 20% of the American population, compared to a minuscule number of characters on television and in film. And often, when a character has a disability, it's played by a non-disabled actor.

"I think the goal is we want people with disabilities to play characters that are written to have a disability. And obviously, we want to play any character, but how, if we can't even have disabled people actually playing disabled characters?" Giuffria said.

"For so long, I was on the team: as long as they auditioned disabled actors for the part [when searching for an actor to play a disabled character], and they didn't find what they were looking for. But now I feel like it's such a cop-out."

Giuffria has become an advocate in Hollywood, promoting inclusivity and better representation for people with disabilities and other minority groups. She consults on productions, too, reading scripts to ensure accuracy and authenticity when it comes to the disability population.

Although the future is still unknown, as Hollywood works to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, Giuffria is optimistic, hoping she and other actors with disabilities will continue to be given opportunities. She hopes her involvement in Hollywood will encourage others to change the way they view disabled people.

"I love participating in the idea of representation because if people can see people like me existing normally, then it's going to change a lot of how people view the world."
This article is part of a series called Seen: Spotlighting Disability Representation in Hollywood. Every month, I will highlight a woman or girl with a disability in Hollywood with the purpose of uplifting their voices and showing the impact people with different abilities have on the industry.

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Actress With Congenital Limb Difference Fights For Representation In Hollywood

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Since the pandemic began, Angel Giuffria has lived with her parents at her childhood home, located in a small town about 40 minutes outside of New Orleans, Louisiana. It's been a continual struggle, deciding whether to stay or head back to Los Angeles, where she had been living pre-Covid-19 and where her career had been thriving.

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LIMB DIFFERENCES: ASK ME ANYTHING (featuring kids!)

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Zyra Gorecki is an up-and-coming Hollywood actress to watch out for. She is the first actress to play a primary character on a network series with a limb difference. The series is La Brea, and Gorecki plays Izzy, a regular kid who happens to be an amputee. Izzy bands together with her dad to save her mom and brother after falling into a sinkhole, leading to a prehistoric world.

In an interview with Amputee Coalition, the 19-year-old shares how she draws from her real-life experience of being an amputee to bring life to her character. Experiences like people staring at her while walking down the street and days of being forced into a wheelchair because she can't wear her prosthetic limb have shaped her in a different way than a non-disabled actor could comprehend. This is how she sets her character portrayal apart.

Gorecki lost her left leg when she was 13 due to trauma. She was physically strong at the time of her amputation, so it only took her one day of rehab before she received her prosthetic leg. She then had four physical therapy sessions to work on her balance and bending her knee. Gorecki is thankful to Amputee Blade Runners for providing her with blades at no cost. She also said that they make the best legs she's ever had.

Road to becoming an actress

Gorecki's first foray into acting was in a second-grade Christmas play. After that, she only considered seriously acting after she had her leg amputated. Gorecki wanted to inspire other amputees, so she decided to try modeling. After signing on with Bravo Talent Management, Gorecki's agent sent her to acting auditions. She recalls feeling sick before every audition and being nervous.

Also, just like every actor, Gorecki faced numerous challenges in pursuit of her big break. Most of the time, producers would comment on her six-foot frame. However, she's pretty sure that her prosthetic leg is a huge factor in not getting callbacks.

This all changed when she got a role in La Brea. Gorecki received an email from Camp No Limits that NBC searched for a female amputee actor. She sent a self-tape for the part, went to California for a chemistry read, and the rest is, as they say, history.

In the future, Gorecki dreams of being in an animated film or an action film, possibly as a villain. She also wants to travel more.

Gorecki advises people experiencing limb loss or limb differences to be "unapologetically yourself." Because no one cares what you look like or how many limbs you have. And those who do are often not worth your time.

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Zyra Gorecki on Being an Actress With Limb Difference

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Zyra Gorecki is an up-and-coming Hollywood actress to watch out for. She is the first actress to play a primary character on a network series with a limb difference. The series is La Brea, and Gorecki plays Izzy, a regular kid who happens to be an amputee.

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Actor/Speaker/Writer

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David Harrell, Actor: The Code. David Harrell is an actor and producer, known for The Code (2019), Bull (2016) and Lefty & Loosey (2016).

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Def Leppard drummer uses inspiring comeback to lift others

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Amy Purdy's life changed at 19 when she lost her leg, she has since become an Olympic gold medalist and performed on Dancing with the Stars

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football player

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Kayleb Wagner breaks Derrick Henry's rushing record - 535 yards in ONE game

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swimmer

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Lizzi Smith Wins Gold In Women's 50m Freestyle | Parapan American Games Lima 2019