Josie McCormick was born with multiple limb differences caused by amniotic band syndrome. The first five years of her her childhood she spent in China in orphanages and medical facilities. When she was adopted by a family in Colorado, she became part of the family as the youngest of three siblings. Her adopted parents have always been very supportive, and encouraged her to try wear a variety of prostheses which she found uncomfortable and bulky. Josie remembers wearing a claw prosthesis, from kindergarten to fifth grade to help her assimilate. After that, she chose not to wear a prosthesis at all.

After choosing to explore what the Hero Arm had to offer, Josie couldn’t believe the impact it has had on her life.

Josie, tell us about your limb differences

I know my limb differences were caused by amniotic band syndrome. This is a prenatal condition where the amniotic sac gets tangled around a developing fetus preventing full growth and development, in my case it was my hand and feet that didn’t develop fully.

After birth, Josie had several surgeries. She was left with a left arm that ends at the elbow, toes that end at the second knuckle, and a right hand with a thumb and two fingers. Growing up with limb differences, Josie was able to adapt quickly.

What has been your experience with prosthetic arms to date?

In China, I didn’t use prosthetics at all. I learned how to adapt. When I was adopted, my family encouraged to use assistive devices, but I just found them unnecessary and bulky. My parents purchased a couple of models from Hanger Clinic that resembled a regular arm capable of opening and closing. They were heavy, awkward, and had limited functionality.

What began as something Josie used as a novelty item to pinch her friends in elementary school, she saw as a nuisance in high school. The adult model she got in 10th grade went directly into the closet.

What impact did previous prosthetic arms have on your daily life?

The life-like-looking electronic prosthetic was one of the most advanced options at the time. Although I didn’t like it, I became increasingly self-conscious about people staring at my limb difference. Those prosthetics never delivered the look that I was trying to accomplish.

What was your experience of getting a Hero Arm?

Living in a two-handed world, people with limb differences are encouraged to try to assimilate. After living without a prosthetic arm throughout the remainder of high school and college, I discovered the Hero Arm on instagram.

After getting insurance approval for the Hero Arm, I noticed the difference straight away ‘the fit was so great!’ and also it was so different to anything I’ve had before. I also have to applaud the design, it doesn’t try to assimilate a human hand, it’s something so different and looks so cool. 

What do you think of the Hero Arm?

I didn’t expect the design of the Hero Arm to make me feel so confident, and make me want to really embrace my difference. I love how robotic and high-tech it looks.  Also, my arm has the battery on the inside so it looks super sleek.

How does your Hero Arm make you feel?

I have never considered myself disabled. The ADA defines the term disability as “a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.” I feel the word disabled limits me and what I’m capable of doing, and I don’t feel my differences limit me.

The Hero Arm has allowed me to celebrate my difference. I noticed before, I would pose for photos in such a way to hide my limb differences on social media. Now that I have the Hero Arm,  it has strangely made me feel more confident posting photos of my Hero Arm and my limb difference without hiding it.

When I wear the Hero Arm out, I still receive stares, but they are stares of awe at the “cool” arm. 

Josie studied to become an occupational therapist and recently graduated. She feels empowered to continue advocating for those with limb differences in various ways, as individuals and as a community. 

If you are a parent of a child with a limb difference due to amniotic band syndrome and would like to try the Hero Arm, feel free to register here.