These days, with modern prosthetics and more cultural awareness, people with missing limbs are able to do more than ever.
Yet there will always be things people assume you just can’t do without a specific limb.
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23 year-old Shaquem Griffin is an NFL linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks — he is also missing his left hand.
When pregnant with twins, Tangie Griffin was forced to make a tough decision.
Part of the amniotic membrane was wrapped around one baby’s wrist. If left, it would prevent the hand from developing properly, but if it was surgically removed, there was a higher risk of it wrapping around the neck of one of the twins.
They didn’t take the risk, and Shaquem’s left hand was in constant pain from birth.
At four years old, Shaquem had had enough and his parents called in a favor to get the left hand amputated.
Growing up, Shaquem and his twin Shaquill did everything together, including sports. Together, they went to UCF after insisting they wouldn’t be split up.
Though the going was rough, Shaquem proved himself and is now in the NFL.
He was inspired by one-handed MLB pitcher Jim Abbott and hopes to be a similar inspiration for the next generation of kids.
Most recently, he took part in a fundraiser held by Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville, FL.
As part of the center’s Celebrate Independence event , fans could donate for an invitation to a Meet and Greet with the football star.
Proceeds went to St. Pete Nitro Track Club, which was founded by the Griffin twins.
Plenty of fans attended, especially kids who were also missing limbs.
One of the cutest was Joseph Tidd, a one-year-old boy who is also missing his left hand.
Ryan Totka, a booking agent and sports marketer, was lucky enough to capture the meeting on video.
Of course, when he tweeted the video, it went viral immediately.
Can you blame it? The kid is adorable and Shaquem is really great with him.
Joseph’s dad told Brooks Rehabilitation, “We had a blast, and we will remember this experience for a long time.”
The video got hundreds of retweets and thousands of likes.
Back in 2017, while still playing college football, Shaquem told Sport’s Illustrated why he tries so hard, “If I keep doing what I’m doing, it’s going to create a better future for someone else.”
Now that he’s made it to the NFL, he can share his message with even more people.
“It just goes on and on,” he continued, “Maybe I can help this kid who can help another kid who can help a thousand kids later.”
Be sure to watch the whole video below and prepare for your heart to be warmed!
