Raising children with physical disabilities comes with its own unique challenges. We’re worried that they won’t be able to handle many basic tasks, but we also don’t want them to feel helpless.
It can be a constant push and pull between, “Should I step in or should I let them do this on their own?”
Then there’s the constant worry that people in school and the world, in general, will treat them differently or unfairly.
The biggest challenge of all, however, is giving them confidence, teaching them to accept their condition and still be proud of their unique strengths and abilities.
What follows is the story of one toddler with a family who have already mastered how to get there.
Meet Joseph
Colleen and Miles Tidd have a one-year-old son who was born without his left arm.
His name is Joseph Tidd, and he’s kind of famous.
Recently, a picture of him fist-bumping his favorite soccer player caused ripples throughout the internet. His hero, Carson Pickett, is a 25-year-old soccer player who was born the same was Joseph was. She doesn’t have her left arm.
His hero
Ever since the first time Joseph saw her play on TV, he was hooked. It must have meant a lot to see someone like him do amazing things in the world.
Carson plays for the Orlando Pride. Joseph’s parents thought it would be great to take him to watch his hero play in a live game, and it was worth it.
After the match ended, Carson walked over to the section the Tidd family was sitting in. She then bent down and raised her arm to show Joseph how similar they were. Joseph couldn’t help but smile.
Joseph’s dad brought him closer to Carson and that’s when something amazing happened. Both Joseph and Carson reached their left arms and ‘fist-bumped.’
The photo went viral in less than a few hours after it happened, with local news agencies doing feature stories all about it.
But it wasn’t just the media and people on the internet who loved what had happened. For the entire drive back home, Joseph kept looking at his arm and giggling. How awesome is that?
A supportive family
Joseph’s parents have always tried to make him feel safe, loved, and supported. One of the things they participate in is The Lucky Fin Project, which supports families with limb differences across the U.S.
In fact, a video of Joseph fist-bumping a woman in one of The Lucky Fin Project’s local meetups is how he went viral the first time.
The next time he went viral was when he got a chance to meet Shaquem Griffin. Shaquem, like Carson, is an athlete. He plays in the NFL despite losing his arm to amniotic band syndrome. A video of Joseph and Shaquem hugging had the internet gushing at how cute they were.
What’s most important is the effort Joseph’s parents are making to help him meet people who can be his role models – people, who despite their physical differences, have found a way to make it in the real world.
His parents have also created an Instagram account that documents Joseph’s adventures with the hope that it inspires people in the same boat.
We’re sure Joseph will grow up to be a capable and confident young man. He is already well on his way.
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