Hi my name is Sadie, I'm 17, and I was born missing the lower part of my right arm. For as long as I can remember, I’ve done things my own way.

I’ve spent my life adapting: I played football for my local top team, kickboxing with a glove on my arm, climbing walls, riding horses. Nothing ever stopped me.

When I was little, I never even realised I was different. I just embraced life. It helped that I went through school with the same kids who knew me and accepted me as I was.

There were exciting times, winning the county cup with my dad as coach, doing netball, skipping rope with a sweatband. I found my own way to do everything.

But as I got older, things changed. Secondary school was a massive jump up in needing to be self sufficient and life got harder. It also made me think about how I looked, and I realised,

‘oh, I am different.’

That’s when I started hiding a bit. Even though people see me as confident, everyday life is exhausting. I constantly have to double-think every action: how to

open a car door, put on a seat belt, or hold an onion while chopping. Life is challenging when you’re doing everything with one hand.

As I approach adulthood, my need for independence is stronger than ever and the Hero PRO could make that dream a reality.

Recently, I tested a Hero PRO for the first time, and it was mind-blowing. They put electrodes on my arm, and suddenly I was moving a hand that wasn’t even attached to me. I couldn’t believe it, muscles and nerves I didn’t know existed suddenly worked. When the hand closed for the first time, I thought it in my brain, and it happened. I was so happy I wanted to cry.

This isn’t about looking like everyone else, it's about independence. I’m turning 18 next year, learning to drive, and ready to embrace being different in a positive way. With a Hero PRO, I could hold two cups at once, a tray even. Shake someone’s hand confidently without awkward explanations, and reduce the tension and pain from being left-side dominant.

Simple things, the list is endless that would make life ten times easier. Interestingly, tests show I’m actually right-handed. I just never had the option.

I’ve lived 17 years without one hand and I’m still doing well. But having this arm would change my life completely. It would mean the world to feel independent, confident, and just a lot happier to function without planning every single action.

Please join me in making this possible. Your support will help me gain the independence I’ve always wanted

I’m raising money to through The Open Bionics Foundation, and any donation will go towards my Hero PRO. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

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.