Living with One Arm | My Life with an Upper Limb Difference...

Thanks to the amazing charity Reach, after 31 years I am happy to show my arm. I was meant to be a speaker at their Annual Family Weekend in Manchester but Covid happened, so instead they made it virtual! Tom and I made this video for the event and I'd love to share it with you... I talk a bit about what it's like to live with one arm; how I became a Copywriter, the highs and lows, how I deal with questions about my arm and some of the awesome adventures Tom and I have been on so far...

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In February I re-joined Reach as a member and realised that I wasn't not alone out there... Then, after taking part in Limb Loss Awareness Month in April, something clicked and for the first time in 31 years my anxiety eased, and I walked down the high street with no sock or cardigan hiding my arm.

I knew I wasn't just showing my arm for me, it was for awareness and it was for my fellow Reach adults and children. I still have a long way to go, but without them I would still be hiding my arm today.

So please, right now charities like Reach need support more than ever, because no matter what they never stop supporting those who need it. You can see what they've done for me.

Follow our Journey...

[KeirMurphy]

Lovely video. I learned some things there & also saw some parity with my experiences with disabled relatives and the perception challenges they face. Very inspiring - thank you!

[elmargmusics]

Thank you so much, its really inspirational and moving because you are a Star full of light and wisdom . Help me a lot!

[prettydisabled]

This is amazing, I was just thinking about doing something like this someday and came across your video by chance. The more of us come out of our shells, the less alone we'll feel.

[pseudopuppy]

Please keep talking about this, and how you / your partner incorporate / adapt to it. It's so wonderfully informative / helpful for those both in, and outside of your community, and breaks down the (unnecessary) barriers that are in place due to naivety. Aside from that - thanks so much for showing us your van build!! (that's how I discovered and ended up as a subscriber) :D Loving your channel. So much better than Netflix!

[CamperDreamin]

What a FANTASTIC video. So inspiring and insightful. Thank you for sharing your story Max. Also you’ve reminded me how good babybels are as an adventure food!

[barbaraaxamska]

I had a friend at school with upper limb difference. I was really surprised how confident she was in quite young age. It’s really great to see someone talks about it and there is nothing much different to people without disabilities. Love your Chanel and looking forward more ventures from you and Tom.

[RamblingRevRachel]

Amazing video, thank you for sharing your personal story. Your well travelled, and seen some incredible places. Your right about representation, seeing difference is important. No one likes having to explain themselves over and over again. xx

[sandradavis]

Just come across your channel whilst in the early stages of converting a van. I am also a member of the 'only one fully functioning limb' club, although mine was due to an accident with a glass door when I was 21. It's affectionately known as the 'claw' by my children lol. I totally get everything you said about how it affects your mood and also, other peoples reactions to your arm. I loved what you said about it being another ability as opposed to a disability ❤️ Keep up the good work, you really are an inspiration xx

[annatotten]

Thank you for this ❤️ so nice to hear I’m not alone, your struggles sound very similar to what I’ve been facing

[sophybradburn]

You amaze me. Huge amount of love and respect for you Max xxxx

[robdavidson]

This video is so powerful, thanks for posting! I suffer from (relatively mild) albinism which affects my eyesight (too poor to drive) and appearance to some degree. Although I don't choose to consider myself disabled, my poor eyesight definitely affects my confidence in many public situations. I'm also very keen on long distance walking so look forward to watching your future videos.

[easydexter]

Max you are living such a good life. Loved this video. Loved the self love. I feel less ignorant regarding limb difference after watching this and also just enjoyed learning more about your life! Hope our paths cross again this year.

[wackyswanderings]

Brilliant, simply brilliant! Your words really hit home with me. I'd never heard of 'Reach' but listening to you openly express the anxietys you've endured, it was as if someone turned on a masive light. You are an ambassador and inspiration and I thank you for opening my eyes. Brilliant simply brilliant. Atb to you and Tom. Dave aka wackyswanderings

[JJJJ]

Ive just found your channel. Due to the van building. To say inspiration is probably the word best to describe you guys. The fact that you have something that challenges you a little more than someone with 2 functioning limbs. It certainly doesn't stop you and hasn't seemed to stop you smashing it.

So well done you. Looking forward to your van journey and wishing you both well

J

[helpthedifferentlyabled]

Please post videos about your left hand.. like how you handle things, struggles faced or how you do your daily chores with your left hand.

You are an inspiration

[Vadvivon]

thank you so much for sharing your story/experiences!!!! one of the main characters in the story im writing was born with one arm and it helps so much to hear your experiences and point of view with it so that i can write this character in positive/real representation. since i have always had two arms i can sorta only guess on my own. but thanks to people like you im able to see your perspective/way of life more and that 1. helps me write this character in the best way and more importantly 2. get an understanding for what its like for people with different abilities from the "norm".
i will admit, in the past when ive seen people with physical disabilities i have stared. not in shock or horror, but with wonder and curiosity. like a "woah.. i want to know more about this person and how things are like for them." but i have realized that that is still staring, people with physical disabilities are not something for me to gawk at, no matter my intent. i get nervous when people just look at me but i cant know what theyre thinking when theyre looking at me! it could be positive! but i would never know, i would just feel nervous because people are looking at me. so ahah i have definitely grown out of that but this really helped drill it into my brain more, its rude to just stare. and this also helped me realize how some of those questions are bad to ask!! thank you again for telling your story, it really helps so much for me to be less ignorant and more aware of how things are. Love this ! <3 youre such an amazing, kind, and funny person! all i know about you currently is from this 17 minute video but even in that short of a time i can catch a glimpse into just how great you are. hope you have a lovely day, stay safe out there <3

[morgannewberry]

This is a fantastic video. You should be very proud. From a fellow limb difference viewer.

[midcenturykat]

This is so empowering and you are an inspiration! Thank you for sharing and being so vulnerable.

[sparkles]

We are all different in our own way, chin up and well done for encouraging others to get out and enjoy life.

During lockdown I’ve never been discriminated so much in my life and all I have is asthma, two hearing aids and glasses.

[leousa]

Very inspirational keep doing what you’re doing with spreading awareness it’s awesome 🥰