Wonderful Wears - Clothing Exchange

Here is a great idea for anyone who doesn't know what to do with their child's altered clothes that they have outgrown. Or for anyone who is looking for altered clothing for their child with a limb difference.

It is a group on facebook called Wonderful Wears - Clothing Exchange. "Unique apparel for the wonderfully made."

"Wonderful Wears is a clothing share & exchange group for families with children with limb differences where members can post photos of items they no longer need and wish to share.

If shipping is needed postage fees should be paid for by the receiver, however this is the responsibility of the parties to work out.

Wonderful Wears is a place to advertise available items and desire for items and does not take responsibility for any part of the transactions or condition of the items."

I wish I had some clothing to share but we always just roll up the sleeves on Gavin's long-sleeved shirts and we have never altered anything except his hockey jersey. We do have some mittens that GG has custom made for him. She makes the left hand without a thumb so it fits nicely over his left arm. We have a few pairs that we would be happy to pass on to another "wonderfully-made"! :)

April Lockhart

Lately it seems there is no shortage of things I want to share with the lovely readers of One Little Fin! The only shortage I have...is time!! Thankfully I have friends to keep me in the loop :)

When I was introduced to April Lockhart's music yesterday, I couldn't wait to share it here. But I had to wait...because I had no time! ;) My two little ones are keeping me very busy these days!

But after seeing just a few of April's videos I knew I had to find time to share them! She is so talented, beautiful inside & out and such a positive role model! I love her music!


Download on iTunes: "SO WHAT"


On iTunes Here: "DIFFERENT"

You can support April by buying her songs on iTunes (:

Haylee's Message

I'm a big believer in the whole "everything happens for a reason" cliche. I think that out of every negative situation, you can almost always find something positive or at least learn something from the situation or come out stronger because of it.

My first emotion when I learned about Gavin's limb difference was sadness. There was also guilt, anger and worry, to name a few. It was hard for us to hear that news at first. And it will be hard for him too at times, just like all of us experience growing up.

But it didn't take long for us to realize that there are just so many more positives than challenges. So many things to be thankful for. So many amazing people that we would not have otherwise met. 

Like Haylee from Little Hand Big Heart. Haylee and her mom were visiting One Little Fin and read the "Its Not Broken" post about Gavin saying he doesn't like God because He broke his arm.

She made this video for Gavin and it is the sweetest thing she could have done.

MESSAGE FROM HAYLEE.

It means so much to us Haylee! I showed it to Gavin and he sat quietly and listened and smiled. And now he can watch it whenever he feels like it.

What a blessing you are Haylee! Your message is beautiful and so wise! Gavin is lucky to have you as a friend!

Little hand, Big Heart

Ever since my conversation with Gavin last night when he told me he doesn't like God because he thinks God broke his arm, I have been reflecting a lot about it and feeling sad for how vulnerable my baby is in this big world. I am also overwhelmingly proud and amazed by him. I don't wish to change him, I just wish I could protect him from certain things. But that is exactly the opposite of what he needs me to do. He needs us to continue to empower him and raise him to be a confident, independent person who can take care of himself.

When I got an email from "Little Hand, Big Heart", it was exactly what I needed to remind me that Gavin will be just fine. He will learn to handle uncomfortable situations and stand up for himself. And he will be surrounded by a lot of positive people to help him along the way.

Thank you Haylee for being such a beautiful example and an inspiration. And thank you to Haylee's family for sharing!

Sometimes she does not need to say a word

It's not broken

So today out of nowhere Gavin stuck out his left arm and said, "My arms broken - see??" I immediately disagreed and told him its not but he argued that it IS broken and told me that all the kids say its broken.

I have heard kids say it before but I thought the kids in his class were used to his arm. I didn't expect them to still be pointing it out.

I kept telling him how it's not broken, it's the way it's supposed to be. I said that God made him exactly the way he was supposed to be.

He spread his fingers wide and told me he wants to have another one like this because "this ones broken".

After I talked about his other friends who have a special arm like him and I said all the same stuff I usually do to stress to him that there is nothing wrong with his arm. It's not broken, it's really strong, and it can still do lots of things like hockey, etc. He said OK.

And then he told me, "I don't like God." When I asked him why he said "Because he broke my arm."

Protective Mama

My biggest worry with Gavin is how he will deal with the extra challenge of always having to deal with other peoples comments and stares and having to constantly explain why he doesn't have a left hand.

I imagine he will be strong enough to deal with it and that he will be a better person because of it. But it still doesn't make it easier for this protective mama. 

Today we were at the library and he saw two kids playing with a truck together. He really wanted to play with them but was too shy to ask so he was just kind of hanging out right beside them. The little boy was about 4 or 5 and I saw the exact moment he noticed Gavin's arm. His jaw dropped and he took a double take and then just sat there with his mouth wide open and STARED hard. Then he pointed it out to the girl he was playing with and then called another kid over to look. Then continued to stare.

I looked at Gavin and saw him pull his coat sleeve down over his arm to hide it.

I have never seen him do that before and it just made me so sad.

I don't blame kids for staring. Of course they are fascinated by it when they have never seen anything like it. I get that. The girl asked me what happened to his arm and I said what I usually do. Then like most kids do, she just stared at me blankly like that wasnt a good enough explanation and then asked "but where's his hand?". I always encourage kids to ask Gavin and let him answer but I also don't want to put him on the spot either. It hurts me to wonder how he feels in those moments. Is he used to it by now already? Or does it make him feel _____? I don't know. I asked him in the car why he pulled his sleeve down and he just said "because i don't like those kids". I just wish I could take his place and that he wouldn't have to deal with it every time he meets someone new for the rest of his life.

But all we can do is try our best to teach him that it's ok (and even cool!) that his arm is different and he can still do anything he wants in life. Right now it's not a big deal but I know there will be hard phases as he becomes older and goes to school without me tagging along as his advocate. 

But it doesn't make sense to stress about the future and the unknown. So we just keep taking it one day at a time.