8th March 2022
When Phoebe, 10, received a ring light for Christmas she immediately wanted to try the Ring Light TikTok challenge with her Hero Arm. The short video clip immediately went viral and within weeks amassed over seven million views.
Phoebe, how does it make you feel knowing so many people have seen your TikTok video?
I was really surprised how well the video did! It makes me very happy knowing so many people have seen my Hero Arm in action with my lovely gold covers!
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I used to get anxious almost all the time when meeting new people because I know they will ask questions about my limb difference and I struggled to give good answers. But with the Hero Arm, people usually just want to see it working and it amazes them which makes me feel confident and the worry goes away.
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Was that your favourite TikTok challenge?
Yes! It was so cool to make and the slow-mo effect made it look really amazing too.
You are hilarious on TikTok, what’s the most fun TikTok video you’ve ever made?
The funnest TikTok I’ve made so far was the outfit change challenge. I put together a few summer outfits and just jumped about my room! Summer is coming up so I’ll likely do another.
You are very confident on TikTok, do you ever get anxious or nervous in real-life?
I used to get anxious almost all the time when meeting new people because I know they will ask questions about my limb difference and I struggled to give good answers. But with the Hero Arm, people usually just want to see it working and it amazes them which makes me feel confident and the worry goes away.
What’s the craziest reaction you’ve had to the Hero Arm?
Since I’ve had my Hero Arm, I’ve never seen so many shocked faces from amazement. It’s funny. People are amazed by it and have to ask if I control the movements. A lot of the time, people think it’s wired up to my brain!
Do people ever think you can’t do things because of your limb difference?
Having a limb difference is sometimes difficult because just going to the park, people can stare and talk to their friends like whispering and it makes me feel uncomfortable. But I don’t hide it. I turn that uncomfortable feeling into determination and show them I can do everything that they can do. Sometimes even better! Like wall climbing. Most kids don’t think I’m capable when I turn up, but I end up doing it better than most of them nearly all of the time. The key is to stay positive.
When you feel down is there anything you do to cheer yourself up that works?
Usually, when I’m feeling down, I’ll video call my best friend if I can. She’ll ask me what’s wrong and always knows what to say to help. Then she’ll quickly get me laughing again. If I can’t call her, I might do my makeup a bit and eat chocolate!
Do you have a nickname for your limb different arm?
I call my little arm Mr Smiley because it looks like it has a smiley face on the end.
We know you like having a good baking session, what’s your favourite thing to cook/ bake?
Easy, my favourite thing to bake has to be a cookie pie. Everyone loves cookies, and a cookie pie is just like a giant cookie cake. But you can make it whatever flavours you’d like and as chocolatey as you’d like! My favourite that I’ve made so far is a super chocolatey Kinder Bueno cookie pie. I know what I’m having for dessert!
Is that also your favourite thing to do with the Hero Arm?
Firstly, just turning up to parties and stuff wearing it feels amazing. Especially when my outfit matches the arm. And of course, baking and cooking is a favourite thing to do!
We saw your Hero Arm covers matched your shoes when you attended the award ceremony in London where you met Prince William, what was that like?
Meeting Prince William was very exciting and really overwhelming. I didn’t know what to say at first! Then he started asking me questions and before I knew it, we were talking. He asked me how the bionic arm works and I told him what I can do with it. I think I’d be a little less nervous if I met him again. Maybe.
Do you know what you’d like to be when you grow up?
When I grow up, I’d love a job helping build robots for NASA or SpaceX to take into space to do missions like the Curiosity Mars rover. Or a chef. Or a teacher. Or a crime scene investigator would be pretty cool.
We can’t wait to see what you do this year, is there anything you are looking forward to the most?
2022…I’m looking forward to going on two holidays to two different places! We haven’t had a holiday for a long time because of covid so I think we’re catching up.
And finally, if you had superpowers, what would they be?
Flying, talking to animals and being able to heal people.
Phoebe’s dad manages all of Phoebe’s social media accounts, If you want to see her TikTok challenges in action, check out her account here. Phoebe has recently been fitted with her second Hero Arm to support her as she grows. If you want to find out more about Hero Arms for children, register to see full information here.