Help our Super Kid get his Super Hand

When our son, Colton, was born, we discovered that he was missing the fingers on his left hand. This came as a complete shock as it was not discovered in utero. I will never forget the nurses pulling up his arm that was tucked under me as he was nursing and saying, "Momma, it looks like your sweet boy is missing his fingers. We need to check him out a little bit more." After a check, they told us that we needed to follow up with a few specialists to determine if his organs had developed as they should. After a few trips, doctors determined that he had developed just as he should have with all but his fingers.

At Colton's initial visit to his hand specialist, it was determined that there were very few options for Colton. Aside from crazy surgeries suggested, the doctor told us that, even without intervention, Colton would live a fully happy life and figure out how to do everything he needed to do with one hand. Paul and I made the decision that we did not want to make medical decisions that would alter Colton's body without his permission. As he has grown up, we have always told him that if he ever wanted to try any sort of intervention, whether that be surgical or a prosthetic, we would be open to exploring those with him. We also named his limb difference his "Power Hand" and told Colton that God created him like he did for purpose. It is very common for us to hear from people how impressed they are by him and his power hand. Colton thrives in so many surroundings including the baseball field where he proves to be a beast doing everything one handed. It has always been mine and Paul's prayer that Colton would use his limb difference as part of his story and inspire others.

In the spring of 2024, Colton told us that he just wanted two hands like everyone else. We explained to him that a prosthetic would still look different than his friends but could allow him to do certain tasks more easily and safely. After that conversation, he didn't really bring it up anymore, so we did not press. Then in August of 2024, as I was scrolling on my social media, a company named Open Bionics popped up with a prosthetic product that they call a Hero Arm. The Hero Arm is a multi-grip, myoelectric prosthetic arm that allows hand movement through muscle movement. When Colton saw it, he yelled, "That's it! That's what I was talking about that I want." And with that, the process started.

After meeting with the prosthetist at Open Bionics, she determined that Colton would be a good fit for this myoelectric prosthetic arm. I will absolutely never forget Colton's face when he discovered that this "robot arm" as he calls it would actually function. He began to grin ear to ear and said, "It will actually move and pick up things?!" Later that night, after telling us that he wanted the robot arm that resembled Iron Man, he said, "I really don't even need an arm with Iron Man's superpower because my hand already has the power. Get it? POWER hand."

The process for Colton to get his prosthetic has already started. We have had a couple of initial appointments virtually with the prosthetist and also have seen his local hand specialist. At this point our next steps involve traveling to Orlando for a set of two visits. At that time, they will determine which muscles the hand will better respond to and fit him for a prototype. At the next appointment (two days later), they will let Colton test the prototype to ensure that the fit and connections are all in order. Once those initial appointments are done, they will send his arm off to production. Roughly a month later, we will travel back to Orlando to get his Hero Arm! The Hero Arm will allow Colton to do many things that, for his entire life to this point, he has done one-handed. Tasks such as holding and cutting food, carrying items, gripping dumbbells or holding onto his VR controller, carrying his bookbag, tasks at school, and so much more.

We fully believe that this is an incredible opportunity for Colton; however, it is a costly journey. Our hopes for this GoFundMe will help to cover the roughly $25,000 cost for the Hero Arm as well as the travel needed to go to Orlando. Any donation is greatly appreciated and completely voluntary. Even if you cannot give, any message to Colton of encouragement through this journey or prayer given is just as impactful. He will know each and every single one of you by name as we move through this journey. We are so very grateful for our community and if you have made it this far, thank you!