"Glitter Girl": Young Inventor Builds Prosthetic Arm That Shoots Glitter
Fourteen-year-old Jordan Reeves inspired millions with her creativity when she showcased a purple prosthetic arm that shoots glitter. At that moment, the young creator took the first step towards empowering other kids to think differently about living with a physical disability.
Reeves has a congenital left below-elbow deficiency, but she hasn't allowed her limb loss to prevent her from being creative. On the contrary, it fuels her to continue thinking outside the box.
Reeves came up with her prosthetic arm design when she was ten years old. She was at a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workshop that inspired kids with physical limitations to think creatively about their state. Armed with a 3D printer, STEM knowledge, and imagination, Reeves came up with a prosthetic arm that shot glitter.
Reeves called her design Project Unicorn, after the prosthetic limb's horn-like shape and the fact that it can shoot glitter. Reeves talked about her creation at The Rachel Ray Show and Shark Tank. She also took to the TEDx stage to further empower others to think creatively. Reeves's ultimate goal is to enable other kids to see physical disabilities not as a limitation but as a gift.
When Project Unicorn increased momentum, Reeves launched Born Just Right—a nonprofit organization that advocates inclusivity—with her mother's support. The organization also hopes to equip and empower other kids to create solutions through design and STEM knowledge, just as the STEM workshop did for Reeves did four years ago.
Reeves's work is only beginning. In 2019, she published a book on what it's like to grow up in an able-bodied world and family. The book is called "Born Just Right." Reeves and her creation were also featured in Marvel's Superhero Project, a show that stars real kids making a real difference.
In October this year, LEGO's Rebuild the World documentary miniseries tapped Reeves to talk more about the importance of thinking creatively. The video series is written and directed by kids and showcases young changemakers from across the globe.
"A lot of people feel like a disability is a sad thing," Reeves said in the LEGO interview. However, this is not the case for Reeves. She hopes to set an example for other children and change society's perspective around physical disability one creation at a time.
