Doctors Couldn’t Find His Left Hand on the Ultrasound — Seven Years Later, Jackson Made a Special Request
Doctors Couldn’t Find His Left Hand on the Ultrasound — Seven Years Later, Jackson Made a Special Request
When Stephanie and her husband attended their 16-week pregnancy ultrasound, doctors discovered something unexpected about their unborn baby boy.
They could not identify his left forearm or hand.
The finding meant their son would be born with a significant upper-limb difference, and the family began preparing for a future they had not anticipated.
When Jackson arrived, doctors confirmed that he had a congenital condition called left upper extremity transverse deficiency.
Born Without His Left Forearm and Hand
Transverse limb deficiency occurs when part of a limb does not fully develop before birth.
In Jackson’s case, his left arm ended before the forearm and hand.
His pediatrician referred him to Shriners Children’s Philadelphia, where he attended his first appointment at just eight months old.
There, he met pediatric orthopedic surgeon Dr. Dan Zlotolow, who continued monitoring his development through annual visits.
Growing Up and Finding His Own Way
As Jackson grew, he learned to manage everyday activities independently.
His family supported him as he developed his own ways of playing, exploring and participating in the things he enjoyed.
He loved Philadelphia sports teams, watching wrestling, swimming, fishing with his father and playing video games.
For years, Jackson managed without a prosthetic arm.
Then, as he approached seven years old, something changed.
A Request That Came From Jackson Himself
Jackson began asking his parents whether he could have a prosthetic arm to help with everyday activities.
His family returned to Shriners Children’s Philadelphia to explore the available options.
After measurements and fittings, the hospital’s Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services team created his first custom prosthesis.
Jackson chose a design featuring his favorite baseball team, the Philadelphia Phillies.
The device was intended to help him participate in activities while continuing to build independence.
The Day He Tried His New Arm
Jackson also worked with the hospital’s occupational therapy team to learn how to use his prosthesis.
His occupational therapist, Jaclyn Miley, reported that he quickly learned to put the device on and remove it without assistance.
During therapy, he even incorporated his new arm into a game of Connect 4 — and won.
The moment demonstrated how quickly Jackson was adapting to a device he had personally wanted to try.
Seven Years After the First Ultrasound
When Shriners Children’s published Jackson’s story in March 2025, he was an active seven-year-old enjoying his new prosthesis.
His family remained grateful to the specialists and community volunteers who helped make his appointments possible.
Jackson’s journey also showed why treatment decisions for children with limb differences can evolve over time.
Rather than assuming he needed a prosthetic arm immediately after birth, his family and care team supported his development until he expressed an interest in trying one himself.
What began as an unexpected discovery during pregnancy had become a story of independence, personalized care and a little boy proudly exploring new possibilities.
Source: Shriners Children’s Philadelphia, March 7, 2025 — Jackson’s Limb Difference.
