Lean Kaplan had one arm missing from the elbow by birth, but she carried it gracefully throughout her life. She met people who helped her grow and never let her feel alone. Leah remembered how her parents and teachers encouraged her to try things independently as a child. Even when tasks were complex, they never made her feel different, but made her feel capable. Friends often stepped in with patience and laughter, reminding her she was never alone in his journey.
But this year, she met someone she had never imagined, someone with whom she had connected spontaneously, who reminded her of herself. That someone was a young girl named Raegan, who was a student. One morning in the hallway of her school, she noticed her teacher’s arm and, without hesitation, she lifted her arm and showed her own. From that moment on, they had this immediate connection. They greet each other with little waves of their “nubs”.
Leah kept thinking about that moment. It wasn’t just a wave; it felt like recognition, a recognition that reminded her of herself, her struggles, and how, after these, she had overcome them. In that small gesture, Raegan had seen her and mirrored her. It reminded Leah of the child she once was, wishing someone understood without needing words.
For Leah, this was very special. She had experienced many amazing things as a teacher, but nothing like this connection. She said, “I have never shared something this unique with a student before.” Two of them even shared a story with the rest of the class, as both Leah and Raegan drew a smiling face on their arm and stood proudly at the front of the room showing their classmates the joy of their ‘nubbins.’ That’s what they called their baby arms.
Soon, their relationship grew beyond the classroom as Leah started teaching Raegan everyday skills. These skills were more complex to do with one arm, like how to pony her hair or ride a bicycle. As a paratriathlete, Leah had bikes designed to cater to her arms. And she decided to give her one of the old bikes.
When Leah met Raegan’s family in the school parking lot, she got emotional as she saw the bike fit Reagan perfectly. She said, “It was like Cinderella’s shoe slipping into place. As I saw her walk away with it, my eyes filled with tears. That bike first carried me into the world of triathlons, and now I have passed it on to someone like me. In Raegan’s excitement, I saw a reflection of my younger self.”
Monitoring Raegan is also a way of paying forward what Leah once received, all the love and care she received from people who tried to help her. As a child, she wasn’t directly mentored by anyone with a missing limb, but she always looked up to them from afar. Watching them overcome challenges showed her how to overcome difficulties, which gave her strength from afar.
With time, Leah became proud of who she is. She found community with others like her; instead of feeling bad about herself and seeing her disability as a limitation, she began to see it as a power source. She explained, “I began to use my disability for the power of good.” With the help of her social media and advocacy, she now works to raise awareness and normalize unique abilities. She reminds others that validation doesn’t define your worth; it comes from within you.
By guiding and supporting Raegan, Leah creates the kind of connection she once wished for as a child. Their bond reminds her that even the most minor similarities can spark something powerful, like hope, pride, and belief that everyone is worthy just as they are.
