Where was my support group?

I was recently looking up info on Jim Abbott, a one handed former MLB pitcher, when I stumbled upon a support group for people with upper limb difference. Upper limb difference (uld) is when someone is missing part of their upper limbs, like fingers or hand. This is something I was born with but recently found out what it's called. Growing up I only knew of one other person with uld but I never really knew him. I had no support group, I grew up normal. This support group I stumbled on made it sound like it's a real big challenge to have a uld. I never thought so.

Last night I talked with my mom and siblings about this. My mom told me that when the doctor told her about my hand her first thought and answer to the doctor was something like, oh well we'll through it. It's just a little challenge and we'll deal with it. My mom had to wear a back brace through much of her teens and my dad has a finger that has been fused and can't bend. So my parents knew that I would be just fine. I can't remember my parents ever treating my like I had a huge obstacle to over come.

As I was talking to my siblings my brother said he never really thought much about it. My little sister said for her it was totally normal and she never thought it was a hold back. She did tell me about a time when she was a sophomore and a friend of mine was a senior and they were in an assembly of sorts. The topic was about obstacles or something like that, they were talking about handicaps and my friend raised his hand and mentioned that one of his best friends growing up was handicapped. My sister thought who is his friend. He then mentioned his friend was missing a hand, my sister thought my brother is missing a hand, but he's not handicapped.

This story about my friend brings me to the point of the reason I originally started this blog. To help people realize that because I'm missing a hand does not mean I disabled. I pretty much function normally.