It’s the limb different community’s favorite time of the year; # LuckyFin Project Weekend 2024, an event where people with disabilities from all over the world gather to make friends, network, build community, and bond over similar or different experiences in life. Lucky Fin Project is a non-profit organization founded 14 years ago by Molly Stapleman to share resources and support for families and individuals experiencing a wide array of limb differences or disabilities. The yearly event at Embassy Suites in Michigan grows each year, with 2024 bringing together over 1,000 people for a weekend of celebration of unique differences. This year was our very own Lucas Slusher’s second year attending. Here’s how it went.
I was born without my right arm below-the-elbow, which is known as a congenital amputation. I grew up in a time where social media was unheard of, and the world wasn’t as small as it is now. Those times were some of the most isolating for me, especially as someone with a limb difference. I felt alone often. Others like me were only ‘real’ in the occasional book or magazine, and in movies they were mostly portrayed as villains. Meetings with fellow amputees came once or twice a year in a controlled, sterile hospital setting where authentic interactions did not occur. These were not the authentic, fun bonding circumstances that I craved from those like me.
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Lucky Fin Project had brought these kids closer together at a critical moment in their lives, when they needed to know the most that they aren’t alone in their disability, that it’s something to embrace and be proud of.
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As I’ve gotten older, my isolation due to being born different has shrunk. I’ve connected with more friends in authentic ways that don’t necessarily center on just our disability. When the opportunity to attend my very first Lucky Fin Weekend last year came around, I didn’t even have to consider it for a moment, it was an immediate yes. This year, it was an even quicker decision. Lucky Fin is the one stop shop event for those with similar physical or invisible disabilities to gather, bond, have fun, and share support.
On the morning of the first day, I sleepily poured my coffee in the hotel lobby and prepared myself for the day’s exciting itinerary of meeting new people, seeing old friends, and bumping nubs together. As I poured, something landed on the counter next to me, tossed from behind. It was a Lucky Fin bracelet. I turned around to see a little boy with the same “little arm” as myself. Shy, he looked up at me and said “we have the same arm!” and then went on his way. I smiled as I put the gifted bracelet on and thought about how excited he must’ve been to see someone like himself. Kids saw my ‘little arm’ or Hero Arm and immediately went in to touch it or draw attention to it throughout the day. These kids had what I yearned for at their age, and realizing that these kids had the community I needed gave me so much joy. Lucky Fin Project had brought these kids closer together at a critical moment in their lives, when they needed to know the most that they aren’t alone in their disability, that it’s something to embrace and be proud of. That night, everyone gathered together to listen to and rock out with one-armed drummer Jack Thomas. Seeing the smiles and cheers on everyone’s faces made the day come together in such a wholesome way.
The next morning, Lucky Fin brought us all together in a park for picnic food, games, vendors, and informational tables about limb different organizations and prosthetics. Showing off and talking about a bionic prosthesis and a company that has given so much to me, Open Bionics, made the day something to truly be proud of. Kids and parents played with and marveled in awe at what the Hero arm could do and how it looked. Our New York prosthetist Dan was also on site answering questions and providing demos on how the Hero Arm operates.
At noon, spectators gathered around our Open Bionics table to watch the official unboxing for three children as part of the ‘Big Hero 3’ campaign to receive Hero Arms in partnership with the OB Foundation and Lucky Fin Project. Each child was also gifted exclusive orange LuckyFin Hero Arm covers to wear!
That night, we all gathered again for live music, this time performed by one armed musician Lee Cleaveland & the Left Hand Band. Seeing the kids beam and jump for joy at the catchy tune ‘Cyborg Man’ was a great way to end the night.
I knew from my previous year at Luck Fin Weekend, I would have to brace for a hard goodbye. However, I knew that the connections made and impressions left would only grow the turnout and support for next year. Seeing kids, friends, and parents head out with confidence, pride, and less uncertainty about limb differences brings me to tears every time. To find out more about the Lucky Fin Project, including upcoming events, check out their website or Facebook page. If you saw me in action with my Hero Arm and would like more information or to demo it, get in touch here .
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