Girl born without hand gets Princess Tiana bionic arm at Disney World

By Ben Barry via SWNS

A nine-year-old born without a hand got a special Princess Tiana bionic arm on a trip to Disney World .

Nathalie Ferreira, 35, found out she was pregnant with her daughter, Elisa Ynafante Ferreira, aged nine, in 2014.

During her pregnancy, a scan showed that Elisa was missing a hand and doctors wouldn't know if she was missing any other limbs until she was born.

Nathalie said she was scared throughout her pregnancy until Elisa was born on January 23, 2015, when she had no further defects.

Elisa learned to do everything with one hand but in May 2024 got a bionic arm .

In June 2024, Elisa was told she was going for a clinical check-up.

Instead, Elisa who is a huge fan of Princess Tiana received a new Disney Princess-themed sleeve for her arm and a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Disney World , Florida.

Nathalie, a surgical dental assistant, from Atlanta, Georgia, said: "I went to a scan and they couldn't see past her wrist.

"They sent me for a second scan and they told me she was missing her hand and that they didn't know if that was it or she would be missing other limbs.

"It was really scary, not only were they telling me that she doesn't have a hand but they don't know what else she might be missing until she is born.

"Once she was born and everything was great."

Nathalie said that Elisa learned to do everything with one hand but there were some things like riding a bike and going to scouts that she struggled with.

She said: "She has learned to do everything with one hand but there are things that are easier with two hands.

"It was harder for her than it was for other girls, Elisa loves riding a bike and going outside.

"I wanted her to have something that she could use that was helpful for her."

Nathalie contacted Open Bionics when Elisa was six years old but was told she was not old enough for a bionic arm.

But, Nathalie got a call before her eighth birthday inviting her and her mum down to Colorado.

Nathalie said: "We went there to try the different arms, she got measured up and they taught her how to use the arm.

"Three weeks later we went back and Elisa got her arm with a Frozen sleeve as she loves Disney."

In June 2024, a year after getting her bionic arm , Elisa was surprised on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Disney World where she was given a new Princess Tiana sleeve.

Whilst she was there, Elisa got to meet her favorite Disney Princess and be the first person to ride the new Tiana's Bayou Adventure attraction.

Nathalie said: "She was really excited about her new arm cover.

"They have us the Princess treatment, they got her presents, a Tiana outfit, dresses and a crown.

"Whilst we were there we got to ride the new rollercoaster and meet a lot of awesome people."

Emily Shannon, who is an Open Bionics clinician, delivered Elisa’s new look and performed her check-in. Emily said: “We are all so happy to be able to work with Disney to deliver these magical moments for our patients.

"We want our Hero Arm users to know that their limb difference is their superpower and plays a part in what makes them special.

"Over the years we have been so grateful to be able to surprise children who wear Hero Arms to red carpet events, movie premieres, backstage experiences, and meeting Disney talent.”

“I know our users love this collaboration and the demand for us to create more Disney-inspired Hero Arms is high.”

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