Vienna was born unique. She not only shares a birthday with her twin sister, but also with her father. Three birthdays, shared between daughters and daddy, is unique all on its own. But her uniqueness doesn’t end there.

When Vienna was born, she didn’t breath for nearly 5 minutes. She spent the first week of her life on a bed of ice, to reduce the swelling in her brain. Doctors told her parents that she would most likely be alright, but that she would probably be bad at maths. Now, 8 years old, Vienna is near the top of her class in maths and has read the first 3 Harry Potter books.

Her mindset is just different to most people. And despite the challenges she has faced, she always pushes through and finds a way to achieve her goals. It is nothing short of remarkable. At age 2, Vienna was riding her first bike, a balance bike. By age 3 she had her first proper bike, with stabilisers. And by age 5, Vienna was able to ride a bike, with no stabilisers.

On the playground, Vienna is always keeping up with the other kids and doing everything they do. The Headmistress at her primary school has very often commented during sports days that, “It isn’t Vienna we’re worried about.” Meaning, the teachers never have to give her any additional attention, she just gets on with it and many times she outperforms her classmates in physical challenges.

The people who know Vienna, don’t see her limb difference. They simply see a bright, beautiful person, who welcomes every day with vigor and genuine excitement. But, for those that don’t know her, Vienna’s limb difference is noticeable, and it can make her stand out, in a way that is uncomfortable to her.

On the playground, or at a park, Vienna would love to play with other children, without being judged, or looked at differently. But, kids are curious and she often gets asked questions about her limb difference. Sometimes people stare and don’t ask any questions. Which is possibly tougher for Vienna as she doesn’t even get the chance to explain.

A Hero Arm would make Vienna feel that her limb difference, when viewed by others, is a positive thing, instead of a negative thing. Vienna doesn’t mind being looked at and having people come up to her and ask her about Nubby. What she does mind is the judgement that often comes from it. A Hero Arm, with her chosen Spider Man skin, would help to alleviate the negative connotations that go along with, being a bit different, than other people in this world.

But above all, it would give Vienna the ability to, in her words, “Finally pinch her sister with her right hand.” And let’s be honest, there isn’t a more noble aspiration than that.

We are raising the money for Vienna's Hero Arm through the charity The Open Bionics Foundation, and any donation will go towards Vienna getting her Hero Arm. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me. Any surplus donations will be used only on the Hero Arm or other Open Bionics products - we could buy extra covers, a bag for her to carry her arm etc. All donations will be paid directly to the Open Bionics Clinic to pay for Vienna's needs. If we over, over fund we could support another child with the donations struggling to fundraise and those donations will stay with the Open Bionics Foundation until suitably used.

More information about The Open Bionics Foundation: The Open Bionics Foundation provides financial support to socioeconomically deprived people with limb differences who need multi-grip upper limb prosthetics.