Helpful Links
Get links to resources for and research into living with upper limb differences. This list of helpful organizations, camps, and products* are courtesy of On the Other Hand Occupational Therapy.
* Neither Laura Faye Clubok of On the Other Hand nor Gigi Verrey of Very Smart Ideas receives commission on products mentioned on this page, with the exception of the EazyHold Universal Cuff, for which both Laura and Gigi are affiliates.
The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA)
The ACA is a national, non-profit amputee consumer educational organization representing people who have experienced upper and/or lower amputation or are born with limb differences. The web site features a wealth of information and links, including the Youth Engagement Program (YEP) and Youth Camp, Certified Peer Visitor (CPV) Program, the Amputee Coalition Support App, regular amputee support group meetings, and an Annual Educational Expo & Conference.
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Beautifully Made Community
This organization is for individuals or loved ones touched by limb differences or limb loss is a support group focusing on hospital networks, providing resources for new families with limb differences, and connections with community, and events in the Boston area. On Facebook here and on Instagram here.
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Helping Hands Foundation, Inc.
Helping Hands. is a Massachusetts-based support group which hosts annual events. Typically hosts a Winter Event weekend in January or February in Massachusetts.
Limb Difference Foundation
Limb Difference Foundation is a pending 501c(3) non-profit created by individuals with limb differences to support individuals and families with limb differences. The organization focuses on creating connections sharing tools and support with and for others who have limb differences.
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Limb Kind Foundation
Limb Kind Foundation improves the lives of children with limb loss both domestically and internationally, by strengthening the amputee community and providing pediatric prosthetic care. Runs a yearly Adaptive Runway Event in New York for individuals with limb differences.
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Lucky Fin Project
Lucky Fin is a national organization that provides support, education, and connections for families of children with upper limb differences and multiple limb differences. Hosts a yearly weekend in Troy, Michigan in July.
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The Center for Limb Differences
The Center for Limb Differences at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, specializes in caring for young patients with congenital and acquired hand, foot and limb differences. Established in 1946, the center was the nation’s first pediatric amputee clinic. The Center for Limb Differences offer prenatal consultations and provides care, offers support, and recommends resources to benefit children from birth through age 18.
Moxie Adaptive
Moxie Adaptive is an organization focused on creating spaces to connect and empower those with limb differences. Their mission is: “Creating a space to connect and empower those with limb differences by fostering life-long connections and friendships through shared experiences that boost self-love and conquer personal fears.”
Cerebral Palsy Guide
According to the CDC, 1 in 345 children have been identified with Cerebral Palsy. Receiving a cerebral palsy diagnosis can leave many parents feeling confused and anxious. Our organization, Cerebral Palsy Guide, has put together a fantastic guide that covers all things concerning cerebral palsy. We also have an expert team of medical staff that can offer guidance and support.
Aussie Hands
Based in Australia, Aussie Hands supports children and adults with a hand difference, both congenital or acquired, provides opportunities for networking and exchange of information, and researches initiatives focusing on hand differences.
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International Child Amputee Network (I-CAN)
I-CAN is dedicated to promoting education, support, information, and empowerment to traumatic and congenital limb different children and their families. I-CAN works to enhance the quality of life for children and young adults based on the concept of mentors helping families, parent helping parents, and kids helping kids.
LimbPower
LimbPower, “living life without limbs,” supports amputees, individuals with limb difference and their families to bridge the gap between hospital rehabilitation and community and school engagement to rebuild lives and improve physical, social and mental well-being. As part of Sport England, LP engages amputees and individuals with limb impairments in physical activity, sport, and the arts to improve quality of life and to aid lifelong rehabilitation.
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REACH
REACH, “helping children with upper limb difference live life without limit,” aims to provide families affected by limb difference with the opportunity to get together, share experiences and information about what to do (or not to do) and where to go for advice regarding treatment, and to help them realize that they are not alone. Based in the UK, Reach touches families’ lives from all over the world.
Amputee Coalition Youth Camp
Amputee Coalition Youth Camp is an annual four-day long camp in Florida for children ages 10-17 with a limb difference.
Camp Candou
Camp Candou is a fun-filled six day sleepover camp experience for children ages 7 to 16 with limb differences and their siblings at Jacob’s Island, Ontario. The camp is part of Camp Maple Leaf, which has run programs for 65 years.
Camp No Limits
Camp No Limits – No Limits Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides camps for children with limb loss and differences. The camp aims to provide education, mentorship, and support to these children and their families. Camp No Limits fosters a welcoming and supportive community in the hopes of helping all those who attend the camp.
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Camp Open Arms
Camp Open Arms is a day camp hosted by the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital for children ages 4 to 16 with limb differences and a family day at the end. The camp includes activities such as hiking, water balloon fights, arts and crafts, and visits from local musicians, entertainers, and zoo animals. Camp Open Arms offers a place of acceptance and happiness for children and also for parents and loved ones, who build camaraderie and hope together.
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Camp Winning Hands
Camp Winning Hands is a free overnight camp for children with congenital hand and upper limb differences in Northern California. Campers between the ages of 7 and 17 get the opportunity to have fun and challenge themselves in a safe, supportive environment. Teen Camp is for kids 12 to 17 years old. The Taylor Family Foundation hosts the camp, set in the hills above Livermore, Calif.
Pirate Camp & Amp Camp
Never Say Never Foundation annually hosts Pirate Camp and Amp Camp in Florida. Pirate Camp is a four day long camp for amputees and challenged youth that teaches sailing skills, ocean appreciation, and the importance of overcoming adversity & following dreams. During the five days of Amp Camp, kids fish, hike, swim, and learn about the local wildlife.
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NubAbility Athletics
NubAbility Athletics hosts a variety of nationwide sport camps for youth athletes who are congenital, traumatic or medical amputees from around the world.
Hand Camp
Hands to Love hosts an annual Hand Camp in March where families from all across the country gather at Camp Crystal Lake in Starke, FL for a weekend of adventure, camaraderie and relaxation. Hand Camp provides children a safe haven in which to try new activities, meet others who have similar upper limb differences, and just have fun being kids. Hand Camp also allows parents to network with each other, share ideas and experiences, ask questions, be pampered, and relax.
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Helping Hands Foundation
Helping Hands Foundation, Inc. typically hosts a Winter Event weekend in January or February in Massachusetts.
Lucky Fin Project
Lucky Fin Project hosts a yearly summer weekend for children with upper limb differences and multiple limb differences and their families in Troy, Michigan in July. Dates and information to sign up usually are posted on their social media.
Helping Hands (Symbrachydactyly)
This Facebook group was started by a mother with a baby that has Symbrachydactyly.
Lucky Fin Project
Lucky Fin Project has an LFP chapter for each state, e.g. LFP Michigan Chapter.
Disarming Disability
Disarming Disability was started in 2019 by Nicole Kelly and Sarah Tuberty. During the two seasons that the podcast has aired, Nicole and Sarah interview experts on disability and discuss a range of topics. Check out their reading list!
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Stump Kitchen
Stump Kitchen was created by Alexis Hillyard. Stump Kitchen showcases the interesting and “Stumptastic” ways Alexis uses their body when they cook.
EazyHold Universal Cuff
EazyHold Universal Cuff is an adaptable, hygienic, and multi-purpose adaptive product that enables individuals with upper limb differences of all ages to grasp items with their affected sides. (Please note that as an “affiliate” for EazyHold, Laura Faye Clubok of On the Other Hand Occupational Therapy receives a small commission for sales made through this referral.)
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StretchStrap
RangeMaster’s StretchStrap is a great tool for children and adults with limited grasp ability who want to be able to enhance their range of motion when stretching because the dual sided strap includes non-stretch webbing on one side and elastic stretchable loops on the other.
The Hand Book: An Informational Guide for Parents of Children with Hand Differences
This book, by Nina Lightdale-Miric, MD and Sarah Tuberty, OTD, OTR/L, follows readers through their personal journey of understanding the science of hand differences. It offers support to cope with the news of a child’s hand difference at birth, make medical decisions, enroll children in school, prepare children for living independently as an adult, and everything in between.
Singlehandedly: Learning to Unhide and Embrace Connection
In this book, inspirational speaker, author, executive coach, and consultant Ruth Rathblott, tells her story of the exhausting and often lonely years she spent overachieving and trying to hide her disability before she learned to unhide. Ruth’s journey of self-discovery and process of finding self-acceptance is riveting. Ultimately, she discovers the gift of her difference and builds greater connections with people with and without disabilities.
“Born Different, Treated Differently: Changing the Narrative Around Disability Awareness”
This article on Parents.com was written by Madelyn Hubbs, born without her left arm and a Shriners Hospitals ambassador, public speaker, and future OT!
Knit for Unique Fit
Knit for Unique Fit matches knitters with families to provide custom made knit gloves for children with hand and arm differences. Families share the dimensions of their children’s hands and volunteers create the mittens! The online group was created and is administered by Rena Rosen, founder of Art of Compassion.
mimiTENS
mimiTENS is a Canadian based company that offers special mittens for children with limb differences. The mittens stay on with no strings attached and they feature long, stretchy cuffs that reach the elbow. If you order a pair of mimiTENS for a child with a limb difference, they will add a special flat mitten for free.
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10 Seconds® Proline MultiSport Stretch Laces
These laces are my favorite elastic laces set because I find the toggle easy to use and they come in a variety of colors.
Different Heroes
Different Heroes is dedicated to celebrating limb differences and those making a difference in the life of someone different. DH raises funds to send children to with limb differences camps, promotes international adoption of children with limb differences, and has distributed hundreds of 3D-printed prosthetics to children around the world.
A Doll Like Me
A Doll Like Me uses donations from their global community to ensure that dolls can be provided to families at no charge. The dolls are custom made to match a child’s physical difference, whether that is a facial, limb, or other kind of physical difference.
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Congenital Amputation Doll
This doll comes in boy and girl versions, and legs, arms, feet, and hands all are customizable, and personalization with child’s name is optional.
Crochet-ABLEs
Crochet-ABLEs are crocheted dolls that can can be customized for specific limb differences. They have partnered with the Lucky Fin Project to offer discounted dolls.
Lego®
This well-known brand created a figurine with an upper limb difference named Autumn: “Curious and adventurous, Autumn cares deeply about the planet and loves sharing her experiences with her friends. She was born without the lower part of her left arm – not that she lets this get in her way of exploring nature.”
Special Needs Rag Doll
Special Needs Rag Doll, LLD is a custom-made Etsy doll perfect for a child with a limb difference.
Vermont Teddy Bear Company
Vermont Teddy Bear Company makes Limb Loss & Limb Difference Bears (from home page, click “Bears That Care” tab)! The bear can be customized to have a limb difference (upper, lower, or both). Additionally, 20% of the proceeds go to the Amputee Coalition.
