every hero needs a supporting cast
Batman has Alfred, Iron Man has Pepper, and Hawkeye has a wife and children. Every hero needs a supporting cast standing in the corner ready to help the hero recharge after a day of saving the world. We started Different Heroes because we want to support those brave enough to thrive with a limb difference. We want to be their supporting cast.
I was thrown into the Amniotic Band Syndrome world and all of its uncertainties, fears, and concerns when my son, Cameron, was born with limb differences to his hands, feet, right arm, the backs of his legs and his scalp. There were very few resources online about his condition and I struggled to find others like my son. I searched for support but found little that helped ease my fears. After struggling through the first several weeks of Cameron’s little life, I made a choice to put all of my negative energy into something positive. It was tough at first but I wouldn’t trade any of it now for what I have learned and for who I am today because of it.
The day Cam came into this world, it never crossed my mind that HE would teach ME how to love and see the whole world with new eyes. Would you believe that? I sure wouldn’t have if I hadn’t lived it and seen it happen myself. But he did. And he continues to amaze me in new and different ways every day.
I personally dedicate all of my work with Different Heroes to my little 7lb 8oz bundle of joy, Cam, whom I honestly believe God put here to give myself and others a larger purpose and new passion in life. Without him, I most likely never would have heard of the term Amniotic Band Syndrome and I surely wouldn't be where I am today.
Bio: Born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Sarah Haight is a mother to three boys; the youngest being her son Cameron, who was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome. She studied business at CPCC in North Carolina. Currently, she works full time for a management firm while spending as much time as possible with her family. When she isn’t busy with home life or work, she is putting all of her energy into raising awareness about Amniotic Band Syndrome and other limb differences, helping others by 3D printing prosthetic hands for families that can not afford a medical grade prosthesis and lastly, keeping up with her son’s ABS Facebook page which you can view here at www.facebook.com/CamsStory.
Cameron Haight, born in Fort Hood, Texas, and pictured with his mom above, is the inspiration behind Different Heroes. Just 3 years old when he got his first 3D printed hand, Cameron quickly learned along side of his mom how to use a 3D printer. He now helps customize and print each device sent out and has even designed some new assistive devices himself. Cameron inspires to be a "prosthetic doctor and the Chick-fil-a cow" when he grows up.
When I first met Cam, it was the first time I had ever heard of Amniotic Band Syndrome. I met Cam through the context of my students printing and assembling him a prosthetic hand, which you can read about in Cam's Story. On a more personal note, I grew up with a mother with a limb difference. Because her difference is a lower extremity, I can recall the mean looks and stares we'd get as she parked in the handicap spots at the mall or grocery store. Onlookers didn't know her story, and never knew it was so painful for her to walk because of the prosthetics she wore.
Not long ago I asked her if she'd ever heard of Amniotic Band Syndrome, and her response was surprising to me. She related that ABS was the cause of her limb difference, but that she didn't learn that until she was 60 years old. When Sarah and I started talking about raising awareness about ABS, I couldn't help but think of mom. Mom is 70 now and doing great, and I dedicate this work of raising awareness to her, my constant inspiration.
Bio: Dr. Christopher Craft is an award-winning educator and speaker based in South Carolina and the Director of Strategic Partnerships for EdTechTeam. As a classroom teacher, he has been recognized both locally and nationally for innovative teaching with technology. Most recently he won the Belk Service Learning Challenge Grand Prize for his work with 3D-printed prosthetics for children. Dr. Craft was also asked to visit the White House and meet with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Dr. Jill Biden for a dialogue on the current state and future of education. He was named to the National School Board Association’s “20 to Watch” and one of the prestigious “20 under 40” in South Carolina. He has a B.A. in Spanish, a M.Ed in Educational Technology, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Research from the University of South Carolina, and is Nationally Board Certified. Chris is a Google Certified Innovator, a Google in Education Trainer, and was recently accepted to be an Apple Distinguished Educator. Find out more about Dr. Craft at www.christophercraft.com or follow him on Twitter @crafty184.
Not long ago I asked her if she'd ever heard of Amniotic Band Syndrome, and her response was surprising to me. She related that ABS was the cause of her limb difference, but that she didn't learn that until she was 60 years old. When Sarah and I started talking about raising awareness about ABS, I couldn't help but think of mom. Mom is 70 now and doing great, and I dedicate this work of raising awareness to her, my constant inspiration.
Bio: Dr. Christopher Craft is an award-winning educator and speaker based in South Carolina and the Director of Strategic Partnerships for EdTechTeam. As a classroom teacher, he has been recognized both locally and nationally for innovative teaching with technology. Most recently he won the Belk Service Learning Challenge Grand Prize for his work with 3D-printed prosthetics for children. Dr. Craft was also asked to visit the White House and meet with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Dr. Jill Biden for a dialogue on the current state and future of education. He was named to the National School Board Association’s “20 to Watch” and one of the prestigious “20 under 40” in South Carolina. He has a B.A. in Spanish, a M.Ed in Educational Technology, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Research from the University of South Carolina, and is Nationally Board Certified. Chris is a Google Certified Innovator, a Google in Education Trainer, and was recently accepted to be an Apple Distinguished Educator. Find out more about Dr. Craft at www.christophercraft.com or follow him on Twitter @crafty184.