Born Just Right
Celebrating girls and science, BORN JUST RIGHT tells powerhouse limb difference advocate Jordan’s story about founding the Born Just Right Foundation, engineering Project Unicorn, and being a normal kid.
Celebrating girls and science, Born Just Right tells powerhouse limb difference advocate Jordan’s story about founding the Born Just Right Foundation, engineering Project Unicorn, and being a normal kid. Meredith Walker, Smart Girls Co-founder, sat down with Jordan Reeves to discuss her new book.
Meredith Walker: Why did you decide to write a book? What are you most looking forward to when the book is released?
Jordan Reeves: Two years ago, I had a great opportunity to share my story. I knew I had something important to say and a book was a way to tell my story in my own words; so Born Just Right is a memoir. It’s a chance to share my journey so far—the good and the bad—and the lessons I learned. But, most importantly, I hope anyone who reads it will think differently about disability. I also hope more people will realize they can make a difference in the world if they work hard and also find adults who can help.
There are a lot of picture books that help kids learn about disability; but I wanted to make sure there were more chapter books to help older kids talk more and feel less nervous about it. Middle school is awkward enough; it’s great to have a new reason to think and talk about disabilities!
MW: What was the writing process like for you?
JR: First, my mom and I sat down and talked through the whole outline of the book. We talked about the different stories and examples we wanted to add into each section. My mom had more to say about topics when I was little, and I had more to say in the parts about when I got older. There were times when my mom wrote sections and I went in and totally changed them. Other parts, I wrote and she edited.
There was one day when we spent the whole time camped out on the bed in my parents’ bedroom. We read the entire book, page by page. We made as many changes as we could before we gave it to our editor. That took a really long time!
Writing the book was not an easy process. Editing is really nitpicky. When telling your story, you want to make sure it’s right, and there were definitely moments when it was a bit overwhelming; but I’m happy it all came together.
MW: What do you wish people knew about the disability community?
JR: The disability community is full of all kinds of really cool people! They are natural problem solvers. Since the world isn’t built thinking about our differences, we have to come up with solutions. We are inventors, writers, dancers, athletes, cooks, thought-leaders—don’t doubt us. Don’t assume we can’t do something. Our differences make us awesome.
Give us the space to look at the world differently. I believe we have a lot of great ideas about how the world can be more accessible to everyone. We need spaces to grow and invent and get creative, which is why I think STEAM is so important.
MW: You don’t shy away from using the word disability. Why is that?
JR: It seems like a lot of people think disability is a swear word. But I know my disability is not a sad or negative thing in any way. My challenges give me a wider view of the world. It also helps me notice if someone hasn’t experienced as many differences in their life. I have also gotten a chance to know a lot of people who identify as a part of the disability community. They are amazing people and they are an important part of the world — they shouldn’t be ignored!
I don’t think it’s worth being angry over people staring or whispering about my little arm. I try to educate others just by living a regular life; and I hope by doing so, people will be open to more conversations about disabilities and abilities.
MW: As an activist, you’re using your voice to create change. What advice do you have for other girls who want to become advocates?
JR: Don’t be afraid to use your voice. It can be scary at times, but you’re stronger than you think. If you are passionate about something and think you have something of value to say, speak your mind. You don’t know who might be listening and who will be moved to join or support you. And you’ll never know if you don’t try.
Also, girls have to stick together. We shouldn’t put each other down or talk behind each other’s backs. We can be stronger together.
MW: What do you wish you knew then, that you know now, about your work?
JR: A few years ago, I was invited to attend a workshop with designers and engineers, and was asked the question, what superpower would I choose if I could pick anything that I wanted? I said I wanted to be able to shoot glitter out of my arm—so my first invention was a prosthetic arm that shoots glitter! I call it Project Unicorn; because unicorns and glitter totally make sense together.
I had no idea that my little invention would take me so far. Something that was just for me got people talking about the possibilities of people with disabilities. We started changing the narrative about kids with limb differences. I learned from that experience that even little ideas can lead to change. You just never know; so why not dream up the impossible and see what happens.
MW: What’s the next step for your nonprofit, Born Just Right?
JR: I’m trying to make sure more kids get the chance to learn about design by building on their physical differences. Born Just Right is working on new design workshops and we’re trying to launch a consultancy that will connect kids with physical disabilities who have design skills, with companies and organizations that need their perspectives and insights.
MW: Are there any girls or women you admire and look up to? Who and why?
JR: I really admire my friend, Naomi Wadler. She is a very real person who is making a big difference in the world by speaking up for black and brown girls and women. I am so glad we are friends.
MW: What do you want to be when you grow up?
JR: I haven’t really decided yet. I think I want to work in the design industry, but that’s a really big industry. There are so many types of designers in the world. I don’t know exactly what yet! I also want to make sure I can help others through whatever career path I follow.
MW: What’s your family life like? I hear you have an older brother, Cameron.
JR: I live in Columbia, Missouri with my mom, dad, and brother, Cameron. Cam is 17 and he’s really into movies and theater. He plays the trumpet, as do I. We have two big dogs and we live in a house near a lake. It’s really awesome to watch sunsets or go for a swim in the summer. I’m really good at paddleboarding and kayaking. My dad works in a TV newsroom and teaches journalism at Mizzou. My mom is a part of the university’s communications and she’s a bada**. :-) We run Born Just Right together.
MW: Are you working on any new inventions?
JR: I have a few prototypes I’m working on here and there; but I’m not ready to reveal them just yet. My design partner, Sam Hobish, and I are working on trying to add a whole new design to Project Unicorn — once you start building on a concept, you never stop trying to make it better!
MW: What’s next for you? I hear you’re working with Mattel on a new Barbie doll.
JR: I had a chance to consult with the Barbie design team on a new Fashionistas doll that uses a prosthetic leg. I’m really proud to see a dream of mine come true: seeing a doll with a limb difference on display in toy aisles everywhere! You should see the doll in most Barbie aisles by this Fall.
MW: Any other big plans for the summer?
JR: I’m spending a lot of this summer going to book events to meet people who want to read my book! I have events in bookstores in New York City, Washington DC, and a few other cities. Also some fun family vacations, and I’m going to my favorite summer camp that is run by the Amputee Coalition.
MW: Have you ever experienced bullying as a result of your disability? How have you handled it?
JR: I’ve had kids who can’t stop asking me “what’s wrong?” when there’s nothing wrong with me. I’ve had mean kids who have said mean things about how I look. Most of the time, I have had friends help me or I have gotten an adult involved.
There was one time when I was really upset about the rude staring and whispering during a dance class. My mom saw how sad I was and she helped get a T-shirt that read: “Don’t stare, just ask!” That made me feel a lot stronger.
MW: We’re doing better at providing STEAM opportunities for kids. Why is this so important to you and the team at Born Just Right?
JR: With STEAM, the possibilities are endless. Kids can explore, create, and build all types of things. I think the STEAM field gives us the space to imagine the world differently; to use our disabilities in some creative way that will allow us to bring our ideas to life. We need those experiences. Who knows where it may take us? Access and opportunities to think outside of the box can be pathways to college or even a job. That would be pretty cool.
MW: Given your experience with Mattel, what would you say to other companies out there about the role that kids with disabilities can have in the development of their services and products?
JR: I think all companies should work with Born Just Right kids. My mom says we’re creating the next generation of STEAM-powered employees with disabilities. We have skills that every industry needs. We aren’t afraid to share our thoughts. We are excited to get involved and change all kinds of industries.
More about co-authors Jordan and Jen below. Click here to follow them on Instagram. Click here to order Born Just Right.
JORDAN REEVES was born just right and co-founded a nonprofit with the same name. She has pushed through any expectations and proven she can do anything (except monkey bars). Through her opportunities to speak to other kids with limb differences, Jordan is helping change attitudes around physical differences. She is currently changing what we think of as a superhero by designing a body enhancement. Jordan’s ideas include a 3-D printed prosthetic that allows her to shoot sparkles for her alter ego, Girl Blaster.
JEN LEE REEVES is the co-founder and executive director of Born Just Right. She’s also a mom to Cameron and Jordan. She and her husband, Randy, have learned so much about what it takes to advocate for our children and how powerful it can be when parents work together in advocacy and support in the world of disability. She’s a social media strategist and training consultant. She also taught at the Missouri School of Journalism and managed an NBC affiliate newsroom.
