Always finding a chance to meet new friends

One of the greatest purposes of this website is finding ways to bring our families together. It can be through raising money so families can meet at Camp No Limits. Sometimes it’s setting up pen pal relationships or creating meet ups across the country. Sometimes it’s a long wait before we meet someone in person. Sometimes it’s a Facebook post that creates a last minute meet up.

Jordan and Fern

No matter what, meeting limb different families, kids and adults make Born Just Right special to our family. That’s why I’m so glad we not only spent time with one but two limb different families while we were in Florida.

First, we had a meeting that was planned two years ago. Our friend Fern was in her mommy’s belly when we met her in December 2012. Her parents and I have talked all this time but we hadn’t found a chance to meet in person until now. Let me tell you, for a cutie who is not quite two, she has all the spunk and drive I saw in Jordan when she was that age. Jordan loved meeting her. She has told me many times how she loves helping little Born Just Right kids learn one-handed stuff.

Fern may not be at an age where she needs to learn any one-handed things… But I know from watching Jordan grow up, just knowing limb different kids her whole life has taken some stigma away from it all. Jordan knows she isn’t alone. She’s never been alone. Our first limb different meeting was when she was four months old!

The coolest part of meeting Fern was watching her stubborn “I can do it” personality. I know not all kids have this trait, but it’s so awesome when a kids with a limb difference is so strongly “can do” focused… Even if it means walking to the park will take much longer. Neither of my kids were very willing stroller users. I totally get it. And it was so awesome to watch Fern work that sidewalk.

Not only did we get to meet Fern, but while we were in Orlando, I was sharing pictures of our trip on the Born Just Right Facebook page. The grandma of a limb different teenager reached out to me and somehow, I was able to meet up with a wonderful family on our last night in town. The girls were super cool together even though we were all running low on energy after long vacation days. I’m honored we had a chance to make new friends who we plan to meet up and enjoy rollercoasters with sometime in the next few years.

What are your favorite ways to meet up with people who fit in your tribe? Are there extra ways I should try to help us all connect? I’d love to hear your thoughts and idea. The in person side of this online world is what makes it the most special!