Shutterstock.com (glitter); Whitney Curtis/AP Images for Scholastic, Inc. (Jordan Reeves)

READING LEVEL

Nothing Can Stop Her

Jordan Reeves was born with a disability. But she says her difference doesn’t hold her back—it makes her amazing!

February 4, 2019

By Tricia Culligan

When Jordan Reeves was 8 years old, she couldn’t wait to start a new dance class. But as she was warming up, she noticed that some of the kids were staring at her. Was her leotard on backward? Had she spilled something on herself? Nope. The kids were looking at her left arm. It stops above the elbow.

“I’ve had to deal with people staring at me my whole life,” Jordan, now 13, explains.

Although Jordan sometimes feels uncomfortable when people stare, she’s proud to be different. And she’s using her difference to inspire other kids with disabilities.

“You can do cool things—just give it a try,” Jordan says. “You might have to do it differently than other people, but it’s worth trying.”

When Jordan Reeves was 8 years old, she couldn’t wait to start a new dance class. She was warming up when she noticed that some of the kids were staring at her. Was her leotard on backward? Had she spilled something on herself? Nope. The kids were looking at her left arm. It stops above the elbow.

“I’ve had to deal with people staring at me my whole life,” Jordan, now 13, explains.

Jordan sometimes feels uncomfortable when people stare. But she’s proud to be different. And she’s using her difference to inspire other kids with disabilities.

“You can do cool things—just give it a try,” Jordan says. “You might have to do it differently than other people, but it’s worth trying.”

Tackling Challenges

Each year, about 2,000 babies in the United States are born with limb differences, like Jordan was. That means they are missing all or part of an arm or a leg. Doctors aren’t sure why this happens.

With only one hand, Jordan can have a tough time doing certain activities, such as tying her shoes. She sometimes uses a prosthetic arm to help her do things like ride her bike.

Each year, about 2,000 babies in the United States are born with limb differences, like Jordan was. That means they are missing all or part of an arm or a leg. Doctors aren’t sure why this happens.

With only one hand, Jordan can have a tough time doing certain activities. That includes tying her shoes. She sometimes uses a prosthetic arm to help her do things like ride her bike.

Glitter Girl

Growing up, Jordan attended camps for kids with limb differences. Then, three years ago, she was invited to a special workshop. She was challenged to design a new prosthetic arm—one that would turn her disability into a “superpower.”

Jordan teamed up with designers to create an arm that shoots glitter. They used a 3-D printer to create the prosthetic arm. Instead of paper, the 3-D printer used plastic to create
an arm shaped like a unicorn’s horn. Jordan called her invention Project Unicorn.

“It was a really cool experience to show that you can build onto your difference to make it awesome,” says Jordan. “Not that it wasn’t already awesome!”

Growing up, Jordan attended camps for kids with limb differences. Three years ago, she was invited to a special workshop. She was challenged to design a new prosthetic arm—one that would turn her disability into a “superpower.”

Jordan teamed up with designers. They created an arm that shoots glitter. They used a 3-D printer to create the prosthetic arm. The 3-D printer didn’t use paper. Instead, it used plastic to create an arm shaped like a unicorn’s horn. Jordan called her invention Project Unicorn.

“It was a really cool experience to show that you can build onto your difference to make it awesome,” says Jordan. “Not that it wasn’t already awesome!”

Born Just Right

Jordan’s mom shared the story of Project Unicorn online, and it quickly spread on social media. Jordan was already a mentor to other kids with disabilities. Now she had a bigger audience and could share her message with more people.

In 2017, Jordan and her mom formed an organization called Born Just Right to help other kids with limb differences. They’re making it possible for kids from across the U.S. to create their own limbs, like Jordan did.

“We want to show kids that anything is possible,” Jordan says.

Sure, people still sometimes stare. But Jordan uses those moments to educate others. And she has a message for kids who feel different.

“Your differences are amazing,” Jordan says. “You never know what amazing things you can do with them.”

Jordan’s mom shared the story of Project Unicorn online. It quickly spread on social media. Jordan was already a mentor to other kids with disabilities. Now she had a bigger audience. She could share her message with more people.

In 2017, Jordan and her mom formed an organization called Born Just Right. They want to help other kids with limb differences. They’re making it possible for kids from across the U.S. to create their own limbs, like Jordan did.

“We want to show kids that anything is possible,” Jordan says.

Sure, people still sometimes stare. But Jordan uses those moments to educate others. And she has a message for kids who feel different.

“Your differences are amazing,” Jordan says. “You never know what amazing things you can do with them.”