A tiny two-year-old boy is making a big difference in the limb difference community because of his joyful attitude despite his disability. Joseph Tidd, from Florida, has symbrachydactyly, a congenital disorder where his left hand and arm didn’t fully develop in the womb. But far from feeling limited by his disability, Joseph even nicknamed his stump his “lucky fin” after the movie Finding Nemo!
Watch this adorable boy and his lucky fin in the video below. Joseph’s mom Colleen, 29, and dad Miles, 40, weren’t sure if it was right to put Joseph on the Internet but they need not have worried as his Instagram account has garnered over 12.5k followers and his inspiring posts even went viral three times. The doting parents have taken videos of their son’s meetings with other amputees and he has even met Orlando Pride’s defender, Carson Pickett, who has the same disability,
as well as one-handed Seattle Seahawks player Shaquem Griffin. A video of Joseph fist-bumping a stranger, “lucky fin” to “lucky fin” also went viral with over 20k views. Colleen said: “The nickname ‘lucky fin’ initially started when I reached out to my local organization which connects all different types of limb differences.
“The name came about from the movie ‘Finding Nemo’ – Nemo had a ‘lucky fin’ where one hadn’t grown properly. “And he goes on to be the hero of the movie! “The organization has meant the world to me. “The day I found out Joseph was going to be born with one hand, I found Lucky Fin Project. “It brought reassurance to know that Joseph will be just fine.
“Also, almost every kid has seen Finding Nemo, so it is easy for kids to understand Joseph has a ‘lucky fin’ like Nemo. “Yet it took us a long time to decide to finally create a page for Joseph because we didn’t like the idea that ‘strangers’ could get a glimpse into our lives. “But there was a part of us did want to create his Instagram account because we saw all the positive that came out of Joseph’s encounters with others like him.
“It brought so much joy to the world, and when that video of him meeting a complete stranger just like him went viral for the third time we finally decide to create an account. “We knew we could help spread awareness, or simply put a smile on someone’s face by documenting Joseph’s journey.” Joseph’s condition was diagnosed when he was 18 weeks in the womb.
Colleen, a mother-of-three and sales director, had gone for a check-up to find out the gender of her baby, and the news shocked her at first. Colleen stated, “I originally blamed myself and was really concerned about what the future might hold.” But, finally, I stopped blaming myself and just wanted to know the cause, which was just a shortage of blood in the area throughout growing, so I could warn other parents.
“However, as I realized I could help other parents, Joseph’s Instagram grew to reach people all over the world.” Many people have messaged us to express how inspiring Joseph’s tale is. The finest part is when someone who was born with a limb difference or is expecting a kid with a limb difference contacts us.
“Most of them had no idea there was a community out there for them, such as the Lucky Fin Project, therefore we love sharing the Lucky Fin Project with them.”
“Joseph is sociable with everyone, but he particularly appreciates meeting others who are special like him – he has an instant bond with them,” Colleen noted.
We’re so glad we chose to share Joseph’s journey since his viral video with one-handed football player and one-handed soccer player Carson Pickett has spread joy.