I probably write an average of 10 stories every week, so imagine the number of interviews I do to produce those stories. It’s one of the many reasons I love my job. I’m constantly meeting new people and learning new things.
Recently, while out on assignment for a business story about a local hair salon, one of the owners got us a little off topic because her daughter only has one hand too.
We talked about how her daughter was born with one hand, my car accident, never needing help with anything, the things we both do with ease that people think would be hard, etc. Her daughter could do it all, just like I always think I can. The conversation made me smile knowing a high school student shared my views on being one handed.
One of the other owners said the worst thing you could do is call her “disabled.” I agree. Anyone who knows me knows I am not disabled. I am far from it.
We eventually steered the conversation back to the hair salon, and I left the interview thinking about how great my job is—being able to meet people like that. But I was sad thinking I’d probably never talk to the mom again or meet her daughter.
Luckily, I was wrong. Her mom emailed me within a few weeks suggesting I do a story about her daughter performing a dance routine for an after school program. My editors liked the idea, and I snatched the opportunity. Her mom had told me that she could put stud earrings in by herself, and I was dying to know how she did it. I gave up on that long ago, just deciding I didn’t need to wear studs.
I watched her dance routine in amazement—especially when she did a cartwheel. Afterwards, we talked briefly about earrings, doing our hair, prosthetics and The Bachelor—just typically topics for two one-handed girls.
Again, I left that interview happy to have a strategy and motivation to try studs again, but I thought that was the end of it. Little did I know, my editors were interested in my personal experience too.
Given that I don’t consider myself to have an inspiring story to tell, I generally don’t suggest it, but I’ll say yes if asked. So last Sunday, my story was revealed to Frankfort. In case people didn’t recognize me before as the one-handed courts and cops reporter for The State Journal, they sure do now. Throughout this past week, I was noticed at the courthouse, by attorneys I’ve never met, a judge and some woman at Kroger.
Despite millions of amputees nationwide, there’s just not many in Frankfort, Ky.
If you’re interested in reading the story, download the PDFs: a01_05-12 and a08_05-12.
Lindsey Erdody 