5-year-old girl born without arms gets a custom-made bike (look at that smile)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20130331/NEWS/130339934/1685#5-year-old-girl-born-without-arms-gets-a-custom-made-bike

Published Sunday, March 31, 2013 at 11:56 am / Updated at 12:01 pm

Photo: http://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=OW&Date=20130331&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=130339934&Ref=AR&Profile=1685&maxw=598&maxh=400

Kyle Bruggeman / WORLD-HERALD NEW SERVICE
Gracie Day, 5, rides her new bike at Quaker Steak & Lube in Council Bluffs.


By Mike Brownlee
World-Herald News Service

COUNCIL BLUFFS –– Grace Day has spent days on the sidelines, watching others maneuver jungle gyms or swings or bicycles. That pain is now alleviated, replaced with a sense of normalcy.

The 5-year-old, born without arms, dreamed of riding a bicycle. Thanks to the work of a dedicated few, now she can.

“This is amazing,” Patricia Day, Grace’s mother, said outside Quaker Steak & Lube, where volunteers presented the family with a custom-made three-wheeled bike controlled by turns of the body.

“Watching her on the bike is just amazing,” she said.

FULL story at link.

[WillyT]

1. K & R !!! - Photo Here:

[Raine1967]

3. TAKES MY BREATH AWAY!

That little young lady -- with so much determination and so many supportive family and friends is truly blessed!

(damn allergies making my eyes get cloudy...)

[badtoworse]

4. Mine too.

[Liberal_in_LA]

22. ..

[Hayabusa]

25. Looks like she'll have to grow into it.

Cute pic. Really heartwarming.

[Sinistrous]

2. Thank you.

I needed that.

[antigop]

5. Thanks for that. Great story! nt

[Exultant Democracy]

6. Hope some carnege mellon grad post doc decideds to build her some arms for a project.

Not to say that the bike isn't great, but we have the tech to do even better.

[Alameda]

13. we sure do.

the below is just a taste:

http://www.astepaheadonline.com/photo-gallery.php?cid=Mw==

[FailureToCommunicate]

8. What a smile! It's great that she is so precocious. Reminds me of

my dad. Growing up without arms, he would fearlessly try nearly anything... bike riding, skiing, shooting rifles, driving... all with his legs.

That little kid will do fine. That much I know.


Thanks for posting Steve.

[BrotherIvan]

11. That's amazing!

I'd be so proud if my dad was that cool.

[FailureToCommunicate]

12. Oh I am. But I'll bet your dad is

cool too. Maybe just in different ways.

And I am proud of my dad for many, many traits that had nothing to do with his apparent disability, and everything to do with his spirit, personality, poetic soul, fatherly patience, and particularly his tireless advocacy for justice and civil rights...

Oh, and belated welcome to DU Brother Ivan.

[BrotherIvan]

15. Is he looking to adopt?

Sounds like a great person.

[FailureToCommunicate]

21. Alas, after a long and incredibly full life he

passed away ten years ago. Here is a photo of one of his proudest moments, crowning a life full of "firsts." Not too bad for a poor, armless kid from a little farm in Missouri...

[BrotherIvan]

23. i'm so sorry for your loss

But what a wonderful life! And the best testament is the love you obviously have for him. He lived a great life indeed. Thanks so much for sharing.

[Odin2005]

26. The guy on the upper left is your dad???

[FailureToCommunicate]

27. Yes. That was such a great day... for so many. A "paa day" as I. King Jordan

described, it in this nicely produced clip:

(embedding was 'disabled' but here is the link)

[indepat]

16. A testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the potential capacity in mankind

[hibbing]

9. Go Girl!

Howdy Steve,
Thanks for posting. You getting snow up there tonight? Just starting in LNK tonight.

Peace

[MissMarple]

10. Easter present! Thank you!

[LeftInTX]

14. Absolutely heartwarming!

Brings tears to my eyes.

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

17. Has anyone shown her the pictures of the gal who drives a car and flys an airplane w/o arms?

I have had the story sent via email. But found her name and a search brought this page from last month: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21377627?oo=0
Jessica Cox: Pilot born without arms on flying with her feet

Good luck Grace.

[KittyWampus]

18. Thanks for posting. I was so curious how one used one's feet as hands. Jessica makes it look utterly

natural. And her balance is phenomenal. That she can do Tae Kwan Do is incredible.

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

19. When I was a kid I saw a woman play the piano with her feet

It was at the Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa Festival. She also lit a cigerette with her feet. That wouldn't be so popular these days. Jessica has pictures of her combing her hair and applying eye makeup. She seems quite the gal. Said she wants to have kids too.

[undeterred]

20. I knew a couple whose baby was born with an arm missing

When the time came for her to get a prosthetic arm, they had quite a battle with the insurance company over paying for it. She didn't lose the arm, she was born without one - so the insurance company reasoned that they were not obligated to pay for a prosthetic.

[Odin2005]

24. AWWWWW!!!!!!