Living with One Arm | My Life with an Upper Limb Difference...
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- Опубліковано 23 жов 2020
- 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...
Please feel free to drop any questions below, and if you can, please show your support by donating anything you can manage to the wonderful charity that has helped me, and helps so many children and parents every day. www.paypal.com/gb/fundraiser/...
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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.
Support Reach today: www.paypal.com/gb/fundraiser/...
Find out more about Reach: reach.org.uk/
Follow our Journey...
Instagram: / ittakesajourney
Facebook: / ittakesajourney
Website: ittakesajourney.com/
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!
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.
Thank you for your message and kind words. I recommend it, it's freeing to talk about things that you've not really discussed before. It wasn't easy, I struggled a bit with opening up and knowing what to share but once it was done, I was so glad I had. And knowing it might help a child who's growing up now makes it all worthwhile. You're not alone! x
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!
Hello, what a lovely message, thank you. That's exactly what we're trying to do. Just break down those barriers, start conversations and make difference more normal. It's new to me talking so openly about my arm but it's so great because even I'm having conversations I wouldn't have had with friends and family before doing the video. And we're also just trying to build our little house on wheels! We will be doing more videos but right now just concentrating on the build because it's getting rather chilly out there. But thank you again for your lovely words and your support. It certainly motivates us to keep going! :)
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!
Thank you... And yes current fav picnic snack, loving the babybels! lol! :) x
Thank you for this ❤️ so nice to hear I’m not alone, your struggles sound very similar to what I’ve been facing
Hi! I think that's what is so great about the Reach community especially, is realising we're not on our own. :) x
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.
Thank you for your kindness and for sharing, I am so surprised by the response I've had. So many people have been happy to hear about upper limb difference which is only a positive thing. :)
You amaze me. Huge amount of love and respect for you Max xxxx
Thanks Soph! Right back at you lovely lady! xx
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.
Hello Rob, so sorry for this late message but thank you for sharing your story with me, I am so pleased that my video can be so positive for people. I think that's the main message - that we're not alone out there, so thank you for reaching out and keep hiking, nature is a wonderful place to be and I think hiking is great for confidence also. Happy trails!
This is a fantastic video. You should be very proud. From a fellow limb difference viewer.
Thank you, that means so much x
Good Stuff.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the video!
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.
Thank you for sharing Sparkles, I'm so sorry to hear that you've struggled so much recently. I really don't understand unkindness. x
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
Thank you! :) Kindness and support from people means so much to us. And it makes the tough times worth it. Have a great Monday - make it count! :)
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
Oh wow what can I say but thank you ever so much for your kindness and humility. Knowing this is helping to spread awareness and to teach people more about life with a disability is wonderful so that all the children growing up today won't need to hide or feel shy for 30 years. I have a long way to go but thanks to people like yourself it makes it all worth it. So thank you once again and I'm so pleased you were able to get so much from this video. It wasn't easy to make, I'd never talked so openly before and it was a great release and start of a new journey. X
@@ItTakesaJourney Please no need to thank me it is I, and I would like to presume all who watch this video, who whole heartedly wish to thank you for sharing in the way you have. There where so many highlighted perseptions that I was astonished. Having to make others comfortable or satitisfy their curiositys at the expense of your own well being is something I can relate to very well. 30 years a an ambulance man and a million times been asked 'what's the worst thing you've dealt with?'. So I'm expected to re live every heart wrenching job for morbid curiosity, 😡 Any hoo as I say in my case it was as if a light come on. Im termed 'Able-bodied' but in reality what is that? Your a credit and hats off to you, brilliant 👍Atb Dave aka wackyswanderings
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
Hello Sandra, thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I love that other people with differences have been able to connect to what I said, and know we're in it together :)
How's the van going?! x
So good!!! Love to see this Max :)
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.
Hey Dexter, thank you for your kind words. I love that so many have felt they've become more aware from watching the video. For me representation is so important, for the children growing up with limb differences now, so people are used to seeing difference, understand it a little better, can be empathetic, know the feelings behind it but also know it doesn't stop us. And for me, as I said, it's been a huge motivator. Thank you again, and I hope we can hike together again! :)
This is so empowering and you are an inspiration! Thank you for sharing and being so vulnerable.
Thank you for your kind words, they are so appreciated and I am just so happy to share my story so there can be more awareness and knowledge about upper limb difference. Thank you again x
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
Thank you Rachel, it's funny how much we take the UK for granted. I feel very comfortable here and then when you visit other countries you realise that there may be other beliefs or cultural views on things like disability. I feel very lucky here and being a part of the charity Reach has done amazing things for my self-confidence. Thank you for your kindness, it's just wonderful knowing that when I share these things that they do touch people and it all helps with representation and awareness. Happy trails! x
Max... Inspirational...
Love always
Susie X
Thank you! Love you loads x
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
Hi and thank you for your message, and yes I will certainly try to post more content like this knowing it might help others and spread awareness :) x
Lovely video, it’s interesting to hear your perspective and thoughts.
Our limits are self imposed.
Thank you for sharing.
Don’t forget your van build fans, I’m hoping to build out a van next year, so learning by watching builds.
Thank you, I hope it can be helpful in raising awareness for all. :)
@@ItTakesaJourney shown the video to my sons, teachable moment
@@markymarks3805 That's so awesome to hear! Thank you! It means a lot :)
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 !
Thank you so much for your kind words and I am just so pleased that there has been such a great response to my video. Awareness is key and I am so pleased to hear when it has helped to break barriers and answer questions. I am always happy to help if you have any other questions. Thank you for your work in that too by including a character in your story with an upper limb difference. It's steps like that that will make a huge difference. x
Very inspirational keep doing what you’re doing with spreading awareness it’s awesome 🥰
Thank you so much!!
❤️👍 Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪!
Greeting Paul
You are incredible, and an inspiration and beautiful - chapeau - it’s so important to say what you said….
Thank you so much!
I'm having a hard time with my hand being almost completely gone. Really not sure how I'm going to adjust. Opening doors, eating, getting up are really starting to make me sad. This is the 1st video I've looked up to see who's got same disability. I really just wanna cry but here I am living... living a disabled life. Fun as you make it I guess..
@@CharlotteIsJustFine better.... I guess....
Holy crap you're bad ass!
Haha! Thanks! I'm not really, just a normal person, but the more you do, the more you realise you can do. So there's no going back :)
@@ItTakesaJourney Cant believe you even read my comment, much less replied! Struggling to come up with something un-cliche to say. Along the lines of how inspiring this is, but that is super annoying :/.....Guess i will just stick with the original comment but times 2 now ;) LOL
Iam also one arm
That's the key message, we're not alone out there! :)
Real talk my knees start hurting and my “what should we eat” radar starts tingling after walking to my local cross street... So kudos to anyone doing all that shit.
F**k me man i gotta stop drinking beer.
Haha. Never stop drinking beer.
Hi sister your videos is so encouraging and very informative. I understand how hard is it to live with one arm especially you are women. I am alpha male and was happily married before. Full time working in health sector especially mental health. Also I have passed my driving test with enfra red and thank you for telling me that is so expensive to fit all the system. So I will contact DVLA and will do driving test again with Normal car with strea assistance or knobe but did you did the driving test with DVLA or they provide it ? please please please let me know and i have subscribed your amazing UA-cam 😍😊
Hello and thank you for your kind words. Regarding driving I think we just contacted the DVLA to arrange an assessment and so I went along, drove someone around the carpark a couple of times and showed them that I could use a 'normal' auto with a steering ball and they were fine with it. Things may have changed a bit since, as that was about 17 years ago. But it certainly makes it cheaper to be able to drive an auto with a steering ball rather than have a completely adapted car. I hope this is helpful to you and I wish you all the best! :)
Beautiful girl don't be ashamed of your arm. Fuck anyone who feels bad about it they can go to hell. You are normal.
Thank you! Well said! But who's normal anyway!? :)
Have you go for working
I am a freelance copywriter, so I work on my laptop for work and typing is no problem :)
Hi where are you from?
We're in the UK :)