Cleidy, from Guatemala, was born with a limb difference, missing both hands. In most impoverished Guatemalan communities, a child with such a disability would be considered inferior, without the hope of any future.
But Cleidy’s grandmother and Compassion center tutor saw her potential, giving her the care she needed to thrive.
From Cleidy: 4 Things I’ve Learned Living with a Limb Difference
Today, Cleidy not only writes without hands but also wins prizes for her writing. Here is an essay this bright girl wrote about what she has learned from living with a limb difference.
I am happy this way. I was born very healthy, weighing 8 pounds at 7 p.m. I was born without my hands, but I can do everything. I feel great because I am a person, just like others. God made me this way, and I learned how to use my forearms instead of hands.
Here are 4 things I have learned from living without hands.
I know God is good to me because he made us all equal. God helped me to develop my abilities and my studies. I am the number one student in my class. My friends have told me that they would like to have my learning abilities.
I have learned that I must not pay attention if someone disrespects me. I have good relationships with my friends. They respect me and treat me with love if someone does disrespect me.
During my life, I have learned that there are no limits. I can do anything I want because God always helps me move forward.
With my abilities, I shouldn’t give up but strive day by day. I want to show the world that if I can do it, then they can learn to be happy forever too.
Cleidy’s Uncertain Beginning
Although Cleidy is strong and confident, she had an uncertain beginning. Tragically, in most impoverished communities, children born with limb differences or other disabilities are marginalized, believed to have no future.
Resources for children with special needs, like education and medical care, are inadequate if accessible at all. And many children, whose disabilities might have been prevented with early detection and intervention, don’t receive the timely care they need.
The prejudice and lack of care for children with disabilities affected Cleidy from a young age. Cleidy does not know who her father is. And when she was 3 years old, her mother, ashamed of her daughter’s disability, abandoned her.
But God had a plan for the sweet little girl. Victalina, Cleidy’s loving grandmother, took her in.
“I was sad about what my daughter thought of Cleidy and how she felt. I knew that because of her special needs, it would be challenging to care for her. But I trusted in God.” — Victalina
Hope Found in Community
Victalina knew without a doubt that Cleidy could overcome her limitations and experience the same success as any other child in the community. Victalina was joined in her aspirations for Cleidy by Jamin, the tutor at Cleidy’s Compassion center.
Jamin could see Cleidy’s incredible potential. In fact, he taught her how to write.
“I treat Cleidy just like the other girls at the Compassion center. I believe she has the same abilities and possibilities that they have. That’s why I taught her how to hold a pencil with her wrists to write. She learned very quickly!” — Jamin
Believing in her granddaughter’s abilities, Victalina took a bold step. She took Cleidy out of the special needs school and enrolled her in the local public school.
“I knew it would be a challenge for Cleidy because there were no resources to support her additional needs, and she would be treated like a child without limitations. Still, I believed it was a good idea because she is an exceptional girl.” — Victalina
Victalina’s instincts were right. Cleidy says that changing schools was a blessing for her. She knew most of her schoolmates from church and her Compassion center, and they gladly helped her with any difficulties that arose.
“I love my friends! They are very helpful to me if I need anything. If I need a pencil, someone will give it to me. Or if I need extra help at home, someone helps me.” — Cleidy
With Victalina and her community, Cleidy is becoming a girl with dreams, opportunities and a bright future.
Changing the Mindset of Those Around Her
Because of the obstacles she has overcome living with a limb difference, Cleidy exudes confidence. And because of her, many people in her community have a new mindset about children with disabilities.
No longer are these children seen as an embarrassment, without any future. Instead, the community is learning to value them and encourage them to achieve their potential.
“I love how the center and my tutor, Jamin, believe in me and support my future. I used to be sad about my past, but thanks to the love of my center friends, my grandmother and God, I am happy.” — Cleidy
Cleidy hopes she can be an encouragement to other children with disabilities like limb differences.
“I want to support children with needs like I have and encourage them not to feel alone. Even if they are like me, without parents, God will always be there for them.” — Cleidy
Cleidy is proof that with the love of Jesus and the love of community, children can thrive. You can help a child facing a special need like Cleidy by becoming a sponsor.
