Born With a Difference in Her Left Hand, 9-Year-Old Claera Is Finding Her Own Way to Play Softball and Violin

Claera is a lively 9-year-old with big interests and plenty of determination. She loves playing softball, making crafts and spending time exploring new hobbies. She also has a special dream: learning to play the violin, inspired by her father, who plays the instrument.

Claera was born with a limb difference affecting her left hand. Some everyday activities require a little extra planning, but she has never wanted her condition to decide what she can or cannot do. With help from the specialists at Shriners Children’s Texas, she is getting custom-made devices designed around the activities she loves.

A Confident Answer to Other People’s Questions

When Claera moved to a new school, some classmates were curious about her left hand. She had heard questions about her difference before, and she learned to respond with a simple answer: “That’s how God made me.”

Rather than focusing on what might be difficult, Claera prefers to think about what she wants to accomplish. Her family supports that approach, helping her find practical solutions instead of setting limits on her interests.

For Claera, confidence does not mean that every task is easy. It means being willing to try, ask for help when needed and keep looking for ways to take part in the activities she enjoys.

Finding a Better Way to Play Softball

Claera recently began playing softball as a catcher. Because her left hand is affected by her limb difference, using a traditional softball glove can be challenging.

The Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services team at Shriners Children’s Texas is creating a custom device to help her wear and control the glove more effectively. The design is based on an adaptive device developed by the hospital decades ago for another person with a similar limb difference.

The goal is not to change Claera’s enthusiasm for the game, but to give her equipment that works better for her body. With the right support, she can focus more on learning the skills of the sport and enjoying time with her teammates.

A Dream to Learn the Violin

Claera’s ambitions extend beyond the softball field. Inspired by her father, she wants to learn to play the violin herself.

Playing a violin traditionally requires one hand to hold the instrument’s neck while the other controls the bow. Because Claera’s left hand works differently, the usual arrangement is not practical for her.

Her care team is developing a custom prosthetic device to help her hold and control the bow using the natural movement available in her left wrist. The team is also designing the equipment so that, with a simple component change, it can be adapted to help her hold a softball bat.

This personalized approach begins with listening to Claera’s goals. Instead of asking her to give up an activity because it presents a challenge, the specialists are exploring ways to make participation possible.

Care That Starts With a Child’s Goals

At Shriners Children’s Texas, Claera’s care plan focuses on the activities that matter to her. Her family and the medical team work together to identify barriers and develop practical tools that can support her independence.

Her story demonstrates how assistive technology can be tailored to a child’s specific needs. A device designed for one activity may even be adapted to support another, helping a child pursue more than one interest.

For Claera, success means catching a softball, learning music, creating crafts and spending time with her siblings. Each goal gives her another reason to explore what she can do.

Making Room for More Possibilities

Claera’s journey is still developing as her specialists work on her custom equipment. The devices are designed to help her participate more comfortably in softball and violin, but learning to use them will take practice.

Her family continues to focus on opportunities rather than limitations. They want Claera to have the chance to try the things that matter to her and to grow at her own pace.

Claera’s story is a reminder that children with visible differences have their own interests, ambitions and personalities. With supportive families, thoughtful adaptations and a team willing to listen, they can find ways to pursue their goals on their own terms.

Source: Shriners Children’s, “Pursuing Passions: Claera’s Story,” September 24, 2026.