1. Tell me a little bit about yourself.

I was born without my right arm below the elbow no one is sure of the reason. The [company name] program contacted my family after I was born. They offered me funding for artificial limbs and counselling for my family and me.

I grew up on a farm in a small town in central Ontario, where my parents and the [ program name] (Child Amputee) program, taught me that my disability wasn’t a limitation, it was an opportunity to show myself and the world how hard I worked and what I can do.

I was accepted into the Tourism and Travel program at Algonquin College in Ottawa when I was 18, and graduated in 2008.

I now live in Ottawa and work for [company name] – the wonderful organization that has helped me since birth.

2. How do you accept what happened to you?

Because I was born without my arm, I’m fortunate to not know what I’m missing. It helps to take on the [program name],  Philosophy which is to live positively with your amputation.

3. If there were times when you felt down, what kept you from giving up?

I have a lot of great friends, and fellow amputee friends who go through the same things that I do. I met them thanks to the [program name, and programs associated] that are held every year by [company name]. Whenever I felt down I could call one up, or email one.

My family is also very supportive and very positive.

4. How does your amputation affect your lifestyle?

There are a lot of things in life that I am unable to do, or that I have to do in moderation because of my disability. With a prosthetic I am able to do more and to protect myself from injuries.

Overuse injuries in my wrist, hands and shoulders are starting to develop. I only use one hand to type, and therefore I move my hand more around the keyboard and move the rest of my arm as well. Typing is supposed to be done with 2 hands and a person with both hands can develop over-use injuries but I am getting them earlier in life.

The [company name] provides funding for specialized devices that can be attached to a prosthesis, such as a typing device, to help me to not use my one sound hand as much.

When doing dishes, washing the floor and many other cleaning chores I find myself with my back hunched because I have to lean further down for my right arm to reach the floor, or the dish in the sink. I now have a lot of back pain. With a prosthetic I have the length on my right arm and I don’t have to bend as much.

There are everyday things that help me as well. I use a backpack when I go grocery shopping, a purse with a bigger handle so it can go over my shoulder instead of in my hand (which I need for holding on while using public transit). I use an electric can opener, and I wear clothing with very little buttons and laces.

5. Some people might stare at you, out of curiosity. How do you react to that?

Like you mentioned when people stare it usually means they are curious. I like to make myself available and to try to make other people comfortable enough to ask me about it.

Children stare most often because they have never seen anything like my arm before. Generally I don’t get much staring anymore.

6. When people judge your capabilities, do you ever feel like you have something to prove to them?

Always. When people think that I need help with something or that I can’t do something I feel the need to exceed or to prove them wrong. Sometimes I think that I work EXTRA hard being an amputee, like I have something to prove to myself and others.

7. Do people act differently around you?

When I was younger I noticed that people acted a little differently around me. Generally I don’t notice any different behaviour now. I always say that being an amputee is like a filter for people. I can see who is a great person right away by judging how they act around me. I try not to associate with people who act differently or find it awkward to be around me.

8. What are your values?

I value family, friends, love, health, helping others, and optimism.

I value family and friends and love because without encouragement and positivity from those I love or those who love me I wouldn’t be where I am today.

I value my health because it means a lot to be able to be on my own and to live day-to-day without any specific care.

Helping others is extremely important to me. I believe that kindness and optimism can be spread to those who need it from someone who has a lot of it. If I’m kind, happy and positive about life, some able bodied people can adopt that outlook too.

9. What lesson do you cherish in life?

My mother always told me to “live one day at a time”. Don’t worry about what may or may not happen tomorrow, or next month, or next year. And don’t dwell on things that happened yesterday or last month. Today we are here, let’s focus on today.

10. Who is your role model and why?

[my original answer is about the CEO of the company]

11. If you had a message to convey, what would it be?

With positivity and determination ANYONE can do ANYTHING!

Without a positive outlook on life I wouldn’t be where I am now.