Joseph Tidd is a special boy. He was born with a condition called symbrachydactyly, which means he doesn’t have a fully formed left arm. His mom told Bored Panda that they found out when she was 18 weeks pregnant, but it happened much earlier, before most people even knew they were pregnant.
When we first found out, we were so heartbroken, thinking, ‘What did I do to cause this?’ Even though it was not something we did,” Joseph’s mom said.
Joseph is only 21 months old, but he is already making a difference in the world. His parents run an Instagram account for him, where they share his photos and stories. They also support the Lucky Fin Project, a group that helps people with limb differences. His mom said they hope to raise awareness and show that Joseph and others like him are not disabled; they are just different.
Joseph’s story went viral when a photo of him and Carson Picket, a soccer player for the Orlando Pride, spread online.
Carson was also born without a forearm, just like Joseph. The photo shows them fist bumping and smiling at each other. It was taken last month, when Joseph and his family went to see one of Carson’s games.
“We connected with Carson at the Orlando Pride home opener. The Orlando Pride made sure we have a bit of time with Carson and the two bonded. Since that meeting, we have gone to several games and after each game, Carson comes over and the 2 just giggle, hug, fist bump and act like long lost buddies,” Joseph’s mother said.
“You can see the moment that Joseph pauses, the look on his face changes…he is thinking hard as he’s studying Carson’s arm. Then the joy that washes over him as he realizes ‘she’s just like me’. The smile and giggle followed by the unprompted desire to show his arm to Carson,” his parents wrote on Instagram.
Carson is an inspiration for Joseph and many others because she is a successful soccer player and a role model, showing that nothing can stop you from doing the things you love.
