The Making of My Special Hand: Madison's Story

My son (born in 2006) was born without his left hand and sometimes wears a prosthetic that he got from Shriner's Children's Hospital. His is not the myoelectric kind, like in this book, but it is still nice for him to have a story and pictures of another child his own age that has a "helper hand". I shared this book with the occupational therapist and prosthetist at Shriners and they loved it too. It's so nice to have such a young child in the book going through the same kinds of fitting procedures and doctor's visits that my son goes through. The story is really too wordy and advanced for him at this age, but I shorten and simplify it for him. It will be nice to share with other children and his teachers as he grows up.

My son was born without his right hand. This book details everything we went through getting his prosthetic. He is only 15 months old, but it is a great book to read to his four year old brother so he can understand and feel a part of what is happening. I plan on keeping this book around to present to my son's teachers to use as an aid in the classroom. The story is very easy for a child to understand, but also detailed enough that I had my family read it to see exactly how the process works. The pictures are amazing--combining real photos with drawings. Very unique. This is the only book of it's kind. I am gratefull someone is finally taking notice of upper limb differences and offering support to families.

I think this is a great book for kids to read with a grownup that can explain what is happening on the pictures. It helpes de-dramatize physical disbility in a natural way. Step by step description of how the doctor makes "Madisons very special hand" are very good. I would definitely like to recommend this to anyone that's working with or having children on their own.