From a post by Mandy Pursley, with Ryan Pursley:
At long last…Cinderella – with a glass ARM! ❤️
After a medical fiasco kept me from competing at a costume competition this summer, I was going to keep these photos under wraps for another year to try again. But a friend asked me today if I had any pictures I could share with a little girl who was born with one arm, and I realized that we never know what the future may hold…but we can still bring joy to people today!
This whole project was done with a lot of love. When my daughter was studying Cinderella stories at school last year, I realized that even though there were so many beautiful tales from around the world, there were still no princesses who looked like ME! When I was growing up with a physical difference, I never saw girls like myself represented in the media, so it took me a long time to realize that what makes us different can also be the thing that makes us strong, beautiful, and unapologetically unique.
So what do you do when you can’t find a princess like you? You make up your own! I spent countless hours sewing Cinderella’s ballgown and her Prince’s uniform. And my fairy godfather Gilbert Lozano brought everything together with the most amazing glass arm (glass slippers are SO last year! 😉 )
This costume is dedicated to all the little girls learning to navigate the world with their “lucky fins” or other challenges. I hope you know you are beautiful, and that you are UNSTOPPABLE!!! Write your own story, and be your own kind of princess. ❤
(Many, MANY thanks to all the people who helped turned this dream into reality! My real-life Prince Charming, Ryan Pursley, who didn’t think I was crazy while I kept sewing for MONTHS. Gilbert, the brilliant artist who didn’t even know me but believed in my dream and is now a cherished friend. Eric Morris and Nick Ibarra at Cemrock who generously offered their equipment and assistance to create the glass arm. Jennifer Woodard at Hanger Clinic in Vista, CA for helping me figure out how to attach the prosthetic, and of course the amazing Kelly Anderson for taking such beautiful photographs!! Who needs magic when you are surrounded by such talented and generous people!)
UPDATE: WOW, WOW, WOW! I am literally just blown away by all the love and support here. All of you fabulous people have created this beautiful corner of positivity and light and are just shooting it out there and it is AMAZING. But my most favorite part is seeing all these little “lucky fin” princesses and princes in the comments. Please shower these kids with all the love too because they are adorable and awesome exactly the way they are! I know they are going to write some great stories one day too! ❤️
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