A 1-year-old boy who was born with a congenital abnormality and a lady with a similar condition made an unforgettably unique connection upon meeting each other for the first time in the fall of 2018.
Parents of three, Colleen and Miles Tidd, from Orlando, Florida, were aware before Joseph was born that he had symbrachydactyly. His left arm had not developed properly during pregnancy, but they always said they would see to it that there would be “nothing he won’t be able to do.”
Working with an NGO called The Lucky Fin Project, Colleen arranged a gathering in a local park for people with limb differences to meet up. That’s where Amy Alamillo Siesel and Joseph first met one another.
Amy, 34, originally from Mexico, was similarly born with a limb abnormality. It was caused by unanticipated side effects from an anti-sickness medicine taken by her mom during pregnancy. Amy later moved to the United States to continue specialized treatment.
In the park, Amy lifted up her affected arm to “fist bump” with little Joseph’s. The little boy reciprocated and almost instantly he noticed that she had a missing hand just like himself.
Opening his little arms, he toddled into his newfound friend’s arms and laid his head on her shoulder.
According to Storytrender, Amy is a mom herself and also works as a teacher’s aid part-time. She said about the fist bumping, “I wanted to see if he had the recognition that our arms were similar, and he seemed to really understand.
“When he started walking to me I melted into a million pieces, in that moment it was clear at his young age that him and I shared something.
“His arm and my arm were the same. It amazed me that at his age, it was visible that he understood what was going on. It left me in a flood of emotions, I think it was truly one of the sweetest moments in my entire life.
“It was so innocent and so clear that he really understood our connection, it brings me to tears thinking about it. It’s overwhelmingly beautiful,” Amy added.
Joseph’s mom commented, “When that happened with Amy, it was like something just clicked and he knew that she was like him, instantly he reached for a hug. I was in complete shock, I kept looking at my husband saying, ‘Do you see this?’ I was very happy. It was like he truly understood what was going on.”
Upon watching the video playback taken by Amy’s husband, Colleen and Miles agreed that Joseph definitely recognized their shared difference.
It is comforting to know that Joseph, at his tender age, has had the opportunity to meet someone with whom he can identify with and know that he is loved and accepted unconditionally.
Amy is no stranger to exclusion and rejection and recalls how hard it was for her when she was growing up. There were times when kids wouldn’t play with her because she didn’t have a hand, or would cruelly tell her that she should “join the circus.” Even as an adult, she heard comments that she should wear a sweater because it made people “feel uncomfortable” looking at her.
But for all the bullying and teasing, Amy retained her sweet personality and she says she is grateful for those who accept and love her for who she is.
“For every negative experience with bullying, I was blessed to find the goodness in humanity, as well,” she said.
So, when Joseph hugged her, it meant a lot more to her. “It was so sweet and was one of those moments you couldn’t have created if you tried to, it was spontaneous, so genuine, so real, and heartfelt,” she said.
The Lucky Fin Project endeavors to help those with a limb difference celebrate, become educated, and support one another by uniting, as well as offering financial support for children needing prosthetics.
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