Ten-year-old Alexa was born without an ulna, the bone extending from the elbow to the wrist on the side opposite to the thumb.

“From the very beginning, as a parent, you worry,” Rebekah, Alexa’s mom, said.

“But because of her determination, and her big brothers, she didn’t need occupational or physical therapy.”

Therapy sessions became needless because Alexa always exceeded the requirements at every age level. Playing with her older brothers was her physical therapy! “My older brothers challenge me,” Alexa said. “They push me to do my best.”

While some brothers might be overprotective and hover, Alexa’s brothers encourage her to try new things. Every park with new equipment has to be conquered, and every wrestling match won.

“What they do, she does,” Rebekah said. “If they are going to play soccer, she will play soccer. If they play dodgeball, she will play dodgeball.”

Alexa started dancing at the age of 5 with a group of friends. When she came to Bloom and saw an acro dance at the recital she had to try it too!

“I thought, wow, that is cool,” Alexa said. “Then I started to try some stuff at home and liked it.”

“One hand in acro is not easy,” Miss Jocie said. “Alexa is one determined little girl.”

Alexa is in her second year of acro, and continues to surprise everyone with her ability to overcome.

Miss Jocie said, “She comes to class full of joy and ready to work. She’s just a lot of fun.”

Alexa doesn’t let her short arm stop her. Instead of a two-handed cartwheel, she jumped straight to one-handed. Bridges? No problem! She does it with one arm. Alexa can even bridge walk with one arm!

“She is always trying new ways to figure things out,” Miss Jocie said. “I’m always so impressed with how hard she works, her willingness to try new skills, and her ability to find a way to accomplish them.”

Rebekah’s hope for her daughter is that through challenges, Alexa would not be resentful, but that she would exude joy, and that people would see that there is something different about her, beyond her arm.

Stories like Alexa’s inspire us! They inspire us to live with a sense of hope, a spirit of determination, and a courage that refuses to be shaken.