Born With a Different Left Hand, Nine-Year-Old Claera Wanted to Play Softball and the Violin — So Specialists Created Something Just for Her

When Claera was born, her left hand had developed differently. As she grew, the congenital limb difference sometimes made everyday activities more challenging, particularly those requiring a specific grip.

But Claera had no intention of letting her hand determine which hobbies she could enjoy.

By age nine, she had developed two ambitions: playing softball and learning the violin, just like her father.

Both dreams presented practical challenges. Fortunately, her specialists at Shriners Children’s Texas were ready to help her find solutions.

A Little Girl Who Knew How to Answer Questions

After moving to a new school, Claera sometimes encountered classmates who were curious about her left hand.

She had developed a simple, confident way to explain her difference.

Her parents encouraged her to focus on what she wanted to accomplish rather than assume certain activities were impossible.

That approach became especially important when Claera discovered her love of softball.

The Baseball Glove Problem

Claera began playing softball as a catcher, a position that requires frequent and reliable use of a glove.

Because her left hand had developed differently, controlling an ordinary softball glove could be difficult.

Her family sought assistance from the Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services team at Shriners Children’s Texas.

The specialists began developing a custom insert that would help her hand fit and control the glove more effectively.

The design drew inspiration from a similar device the hospital had created for a family friend approximately four decades earlier.

Then Came Her Dream of Playing the Violin

Claera also wanted to learn the violin because her father played the instrument.

Traditional right-handed violin technique involves holding the instrument’s neck with the left hand and controlling the bow with the right.

For Claera, that arrangement was impractical.

Her team proposed reversing the roles: she could hold the violin with her right hand and use her left arm to control the bow with the help of a customized prosthetic device.

One Special Device, Two Different Dreams

Certified prosthetist Hannah Zesiger developed a device designed to work with Claera’s natural wrist movement.

With a simple component change, the violin accessory could also be adapted to help her hold a softball bat.

The team additionally developed a separate insert for her softball glove.

Rather than expecting Claera to adapt to equipment designed for someone else’s anatomy, the specialists worked to make the equipment fit her needs.

Her Goals Were Always Bigger Than Her Hand Difference

When Shriners Children’s published Claera’s story in September 2026, she was an active nine-year-old who enjoyed sports, crafts and spending time with her siblings.

Her care focused on giving her practical tools to participate in activities she valued.

For her family, success did not mean changing who Claera was. It meant helping her catch softballs, explore music and continue discovering new interests.

Her story demonstrates how personalized pediatric prosthetic care can help children with congenital limb differences pursue their own ambitions.

Source: Shriners Children’s Texas, September 24, 2026 — Pursuing Passions: Claera’s Story.