Maycee Garcia is like any normal five-year-old. She plays baseball, soccer, and likes to wrestle. Maycee is a playful, spirited, and, according to her parents, a stubborn young girl. Young Maycee is much like her classmates at school, enjoying the new experience of school and eager to learn. Maycee Garcia, however, has something about her that makes different from everyone else.

On May 9, 2007, Maycee Garcia was born and instantly became an incredible blessing for her family, they were joyous with the new addition to their family. They were also delivered the news that Maycee was born with Symbrachydactlyly, which caused her right hand to not be fully developed. The Garcia’s had not found out about this until after Maycee’s birth. The abnormality may have been caused due to complications during the pregnancy, such as the way she was laying in the womb, however, in most cases, the official cause goes unsolved.

Following the realization of their daughter’s condition, the Garcia’s instantly began thinking about their new daughter’s needs. Initially, Maycee’s father’s reaction was to protect for his new daughter. The family began to not only think about instant care for Maycee, but also looked into their daughter’s future and considering how her life would be different, they wondered what Maycee would not be able to do. Then something truly inspiring happened.

After researching Maycee’s condition and, its effects, her family discovered that their daughter’s life would be largely unchanged and unaffected. Maycee would grew up much like the other kids. She could participate in various sports and other activities, such as dancing. And they were right, Maycee has up confident and undeterred, despite what others may have seen as a condition that is restricting and limiting. Yet to Maycee, nothing seemed out of reach.

In her young life, Maycee has already overcome so much and done what has never seemed possible. There were many obstacles to overcome; one of the chief among these was starting school. Many felt nervous for Maycee, yet it was Maycee’s unyielding attitude that once again helped her beat another challenge. To ease her way into starting school Maycee devised up a way to help extinguish any curiosity or interest, about her unique condition; she would write a book.

“A Little About Maycee” was written largely by Maycee herself and includes pictures about her “different” life. The book became a huge success in helping her fellow classmates understand Maycee and become very supportive and accepting. “The book was a big helper to the other kids”, says her father, APS music teacher Mr. Mike Garcia. In many ways, the book exemplified how sometimes children can be more understanding, as Mr. Garcia says, something he wishes more adults would do. Indeed the book helped make everyone more comfortable and helped Maycee begin her school career full of confidence and assurance, something that she welcomed very much.

Maycee’s family hoped the book could serve as a symbol of understanding for not only Maycee’s new classmates, but also for anyone who came it. Raising Maycee’s has made her parents more supportive of and curious about anyone with something different about them. Instead of keeping quiet, Mr. Garcia encourages others to “Ask questions and be curious.”

Thanks in large part to her book, starting school has been an enjoyable experience for Maycee. She plays and fully participates in her class and different activities during school. She says, “I’m like the other kids.” She plans to continue and pursue her other interests while still being involved in organizations such as the Lucky Fin Project, NubAbility, and Living One Handed, and hopes to one day become either a ballerina or a princess.

Unyielding and immeasurably strong, young Maycee Garcia has already laid out a path of hope and inspiration for so many others. Maycee doesn’t see herself as different as others may do. She believes everyone has something unique and special about themselves. She understands growing up will be hard, but like she already has so many time in her young life, she will continue to fight and march forward. Being different is something everyone shares and should be celebrate every day and remember, as Maycee says, “It’s okay to be different.”

If would to like to learn more about Symbrachydactly, you can visit www.nculd.org.