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Facts about Limb Differences

The term, Limb Differences, is used in reference to the congenital (something a person is born with) absence or malformation of limbs. Some limb differences may be acquired as the result of an injury or disease that requires amputation.

The causes of congenital Limb Differences are frequently unknown.

Challenges

A child who has an acquired limb difference through surgical amputation is more likely to feel a profound and deeply personal sense of loss. The child must adjust to a different way of living. This takes emotional and physical adjustments. Just as different amputation levels place different demands on a person, the demands resulting from amputation or a congenital difference are different.

A child’s emotional reaction to limb differences may vary. Some medical literature states that children who are born with a limb difference do not feel a sense of loss. Their body is the only body they have ever known. According to this point of view, it’s rare in the early years for a child who has a congenital difference to grieve. Still, as the child grows and becomes more socially aware, there can be a sense of loss or of being physically “different” from those who have fully functional limbs. This can then lead to frustration (“Why me?”) and some of the same feelings that occur while grieving.

Treatment

Infants and very young children with a lower-limb difference can better explore their world by wearing a prosthesis, as it will help that child get to a standing position more easily. Children limb differences affecting the arms often learn to compensate very early for the missing limb. With the love and support of a family, these children go on to live active, full lives.


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Articles On Limb Differences

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Dr. Jane Aronson shares with families what to have evaluated their newly adopted child

Adopting the International Child with Special Needs
Over 30 years of evaluating special needs children gives auther, Teri Bell, a special insight into what parents need to be aware of.

Adopting a Special Needs Child...Is It For You?
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Attachment and the Special Needs Child
Meeting the needs of institutionalized and special needs children after adoption.

Homeschool: Another Learning Environment for Special Children
How home education can help the adopted child

Inspirations in Life
Kaitlin: Our Unstoppable Bundle

Just a Child
Adopting our perfect child with a limb difference

Resources

Suggest a Link/Resource

Shriner's Hospital: Free Medical Care for SN Children

Yahoo Group - Adopting Children with Limb Differences

The Rubin Institute