Born Without Arms, 6-Year-Old Valery Sees Herself With New Arms for the First Time — and Her Smile Says It All

When Valery was born, she entered the world without arms. But the little girl from Ecuador has never stopped finding her own ways to explore, learn and enjoy life.

Now 6 years old and living in Texas, Valery has reached an exciting new milestone. With help from the specialists at Shriners Children’s Texas, she has been fitted with her first pair of prosthetic arms — customized with a Hello Kitty pattern she loves.

For Valery, the moment was about more than receiving new equipment. It was an opportunity to discover new possibilities while continuing to build on the independence she had already developed.

A Little Girl Who Learned to Do Things Her Own Way

Valery was born with a rare congenital condition called complete agenesis of the bilateral upper extremities. This means the bones of both upper arms, forearms, wrists and hands did not develop during pregnancy.

She does have her collarbones and shoulder blades, which allow her to move her shoulders freely. Growing up, Valery learned to use her feet and mouth to perform tasks that many children do with their hands.

She can feed herself, paint pictures and play with her dolls. She also enjoys watching movies with her family, playing video games with her older sister and drawing animals.

Her mother describes her as independent and eager to try things on her own. One of Valery’s recent achievements was learning to open a door with her foot — a small everyday task that showed just how resourceful she had become.

Finding the Right Team to Help Her Grow

Valery’s family eventually learned about Shriners Children’s through her school. In December 2025, they traveled to Galveston, Texas, for her first appointment with the hospital’s Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services team.

There, Valery met Meredith Roehrs, a certified prosthetist and orthotist who helps children receive devices designed around their individual needs.

Fitting a child who has no arms presents special challenges. The prostheses must be carefully balanced because their weight cannot rest on arms that are not present. The team also needed to determine the appropriate length and positioning for Valery’s new arms.

To help estimate the right dimensions, the specialist considered Valery’s height and even the length of her foot. The resulting design included shoulder joints that move in different directions and elbows that can bend and lock into position.

Her First Pair of Arms — With a Hello Kitty Touch

Just a few months after her initial appointment, Valery’s new prostheses were ready. They were wrapped in a personalized Hello Kitty pattern, making the equipment feel a little more like her own.

Surrounded by her mother, father and older sister, Valery stood in front of a mirror and saw herself with arms for the first time. A smile spread across her face as she reached for her sister’s hands and began swinging them back and forth.

The moment was a meaningful milestone for the family. Valery had already learned to navigate many parts of daily life independently, but the new prostheses could give her additional ways to explore activities she wanted to try.

She was excited about the possibility of writing, typing on a computer, holding a book and painting with her hands. At school, she also hoped to try the monkey bars during recess.

New Possibilities, One Step at a Time

Learning to use prosthetic arms takes practice, and the devices are not a simple replacement for natural limbs. Their fit, weight and movement need to work with Valery’s body and comfort, and she will continue discovering what works best for her.

For her family, the experience at Shriners Children’s Texas has been positive. They are grateful to have found a team that listens to Valery’s needs and supports her goals.

Her story is not about suddenly changing who she is. Valery was already a creative, capable little girl who had found her own ways to do things. The prostheses offer additional opportunities for her to experiment, learn and decide what she wants to accomplish next.

A Future Filled With Things to Discover

Valery loves mathematics at school, enjoys painting animals and likes spending time with her family. With her new prostheses, she is looking forward to trying activities that once seemed out of reach.

There will be new skills to practice and challenges to work through. Riding a bike, for example, may take extra courage. But Valery has already shown that she approaches unfamiliar tasks with curiosity and determination.

For a little girl who learned to open doors with her foot, this new chapter is another opportunity to explore the world in her own way. Her journey reminds us that every child has individual strengths, goals and possibilities — and that the right support can help those possibilities grow.

Source: Shriners Children’s, “New Arms and New Beginnings for Valery,” March 5, 2026.