Movies, TV & Public Figures

Finding Nemo

Nemo · Main character

Nemo has a smaller “lucky fin” that sets him apart. His story shows that differences can be strengths.

How to Train Your Dragon

Hiccup and Toothless · Main characters

Hiccup and his dragon Toothless use prosthetics, and it’s one of the most empowering parts of the story. Hiccup loses part of his leg in the first movie and wears a prosthetic from that point on. Toothless is missing part of his tail, and the two of them adapt together, learning how to fly as a team. What’s especially cool is that this isn’t treated as a sad or dramatic plot point. It’s just part of who they are. Their prosthetics evolve over the series as Hiccup designs new versions, not because something is wrong, but because that’s what inventors and heroes do. They’re strong, capable, and inspiring, without needing to “overcome” anything.

Luca

Massimo Marcovaldo · Supporting character

Massimo, Giulia’s father, was born with one arm. He’s a fisherman and cook and one of the strongest characters in the movie, both physically and emotionally.

The Wild Robot

Roz and Brightbill · Main characters

Roz washes up on a remote island and learns to survive with help from the animals around her. At one point her leg breaks off, and the animals work together to give her a wooden replacement. The movie also follows Brightbill, the gosling Roz raises. He is born smaller and different from the other geese, and early on it seems like he may not be able to make the migration with the flock. Roz and the other animals keep working with him, and he finds a way to keep up. For us, that part lands as much as Roz's wooden leg. It feels a lot like raising a kid with a difference: adapting together, and helping them find their place without pretending the difference isn't there.

Echo

Maya Lopez · Main character

Echo, also known as Maya Lopez, is a Native American, deaf, and amputee superhero introduced in the Hawkeye series. She’s played by Alaqua Cox, an actress who is deaf and an amputee herself. Echo uses a prosthetic leg, fights with skill, and leads her own story. Seeing a real amputee in a Marvel role means a lot for kids who rarely see heroes who look like them.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Bucky Barnes · Supporting character

Bucky Barnes, also known as the Winter Soldier, uses a prosthetic arm after losing his left arm. His story doesn’t frame the prosthetic as a weakness. Over the series, we see him regain control of his life and relationships, and his arm evolves with him from a tool of control to something he uses as a force for good.

Tumble Leaf

Ginkgo · Supporting character

Ginkgo is a cheerful crab with a wooden prosthetic claw. His calm demeanor and problem-solving skills help show that differences are part of everyday life.

An Almost Christmas Story

Luna · Main character

Luna is a young girl with a limb difference featured in this 2023 Disney+ holiday short. Her story brings disability representation to seasonal family viewing.

Adventure Time

Finn · Main character

In Adventure Time, Finn’s story includes a recurring theme where he loses his arm, across multiple timelines and alternate realities. At one point, Finn even receives a mechanical replacement. Instead of focusing on loss, the show treats this as part of his growth. He continues to be brave, compassionate, and adventurous, with or without his arm.

Nimona

Ballister Boldheart · Main character

Ballister, once a celebrated knight, returns in Nimona with a sleek prosthetic arm and a complicated public reputation. He’s thoughtful, steady, and unexpectedly funny. His limb difference is just one part of a richly layered character who’s navigating loyalty, trust, and what it means to be a hero on his own terms.

Star Wars

Luke Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker, and Darth Maul · Main and supporting characters

Characters like Luke Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker, and Darth Maul all have prosthetic limbs, showing that even in a galaxy far, far away, limb difference is part of the journey.

DuckTales (2017)

Della Duck · Supporting character

Della, Donald Duck’s sister, has a robotic prosthetic leg after being stranded on the moon. She’s adventurous and confident.

Unstoppable

Anthony Robles · Main character

This film tells the true story of Anthony Robles, who was born with only one leg and became an NCAA wrestling champion. The movie follows his journey from high school wrestling to winning a national title at Arizona State. His physical difference is presented as part of his identity, not a limitation.

Rising Phoenix

Paralympic athletes · Featured athletes

This documentary profiles nine Paralympic athletes from around the world, including individuals with limb differences. It shares their personal stories and the history of the Paralympic Games, and shows how these athletes compete at the highest levels.

Best Foot Forward

Josh Dubin · Main character

TV-G. Good for older elementary and tweens. Follows Josh Dubin, a 12-year-old who uses a prosthetic leg, as he moves from homeschool to public school. It’s about friendships, family, middle-school mishaps, and Josh wanting to be known as a whole person, not only as the kid with a prosthetic. Based on Josh Sundquist’s memoir.

Marvel’s Hero Project

Jordan Reeves · Main focus

Family viewing. In this episode, Jordan Reeves is recognized for using her experience with an upper-limb difference to invent and advocate for more inclusive design. She’s shown as a young inventor and leader, not only through sports.

Pip & Posy’s Treehouse Mystery

Becca · Supporting character

Preschool. Becca is a cheerful friend with an upper-limb difference who rides a bike, hangs out with friends, and helps solve a mystery. Her limb difference is visible and mentioned naturally, but it’s not the focus of the story. The character was developed with disability consultant Cerrie Burnell and performed by Sophie Ireland, a young actor with an upper-limb difference. Availability can vary by country.

Soul Surfer

Bethany Hamilton · Main character

Rated PG. Parent preview recommended for the shark attack, medical scenes, and strong faith themes. The true story of teenage surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost an arm in a shark attack and returned to competitive surfing. The movie shows her as an athlete, daughter, friend, and person of faith.

Dolphin Tale

Winter and Sawyer · Main characters

Gwen really likes this one. Based on the true story of Winter, a dolphin who lost her tail and learned to swim with a prosthetic. Sawyer, a boy who befriends her, is a big part of the story too. It is a gentle family movie about adapting, friendship, and figuring out new ways to move through the world.

Avatar

Pavi · Main character

Combustion Man and Ming-Hua · Supporting characters

Across the Avatar animated series, a few characters stand out for limb difference. In the upcoming Avatar: Seven Havens (Paramount+, October 2026), Pavi is a young Earthbender and the next Avatar after Korra. Official artwork shows her with a wooden prosthetic leg, making her the first main Avatar character with a limb difference. Earlier series also include Combustion Man in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a bounty hunter with prosthetic limbs, and Ming-Hua in The Legend of Korra, a waterbender born without arms who uses waterbending to form water arms.

Grace Norman (Team USA)

Grace Norman of Jamestown, Ohio, is a three-time Paralympian and four-time Paralympic medalist. She competes in paratriathlon and para-cycling with a prosthetic leg and has represented Ohio on the world stage since she was a teenager.

Jessica Long (Team USA)

Jessica Long is one of the most decorated Paralympic swimmers of all time. Born in Siberia and adopted by an American family, she had both legs amputated below the knee at 18 months old. She has competed in multiple Paralympic Games and won dozens of medals. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok.

Carson Pickett (U.S. Soccer)

Carson Pickett is a professional soccer defender who was born without her left forearm. In 2022, she became the first player with a limb difference to appear for the U.S. Women’s National Team. A clear example of limb difference in a mainstream team sport many kids already play.

Ezra Frech (Team USA)

Ezra Frech is a Paralympic sprinter and high jumper who was born with congenital limb differences affecting an arm and a leg. He won gold in both the 100 meters and high jump at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Ezra and his family have also helped build adaptive sports programs for kids and adults.

Sheetal Devi (Paralympic profile)

Sheetal Devi is an Indian para-archer who was born without arms and shoots using her feet and upper body. She won a bronze medal in the mixed-team compound event at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Her technique shows kids that athletes can approach the same sport in many different ways.

Hunter Woodhall (Team USA)

Hunter is a double below-knee amputee sprinter and Paralympic medalist. He made history as the first double-amputee to earn a Division I NCAA scholarship. Hunter and his wife, Olympian Tara Davis-Woodhall, share their lives and athletic journeys together. You can follow them on Instagram.

Jim Abbott (MLB)

Jim Abbott was born without a right hand and became a Major League pitcher who threw a no-hitter in 1993. He played ten seasons in the MLB and later became a speaker, sharing his story of adaptation. You can follow him on X.

Amy Purdy (Team USA)

Amy Purdy is a three-time Paralympic snowboarding medalist who uses bilateral below-knee prostheses. She has also competed on Dancing with the Stars and worked as an actor, model, and speaker, giving kids an example that combines athletics and performing arts.

Oksana Masters (Team USA)

Oksana Masters is a multisport Paralympian who has competed in rowing, cycling, cross-country skiing, and biathlon. She has limb differences affecting her hands and legs and has won medals in both the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games.

Matt Stutzman (Team USA)

Matt Stutzman is a Paralympic archery champion who was born without arms and shoots a compound bow using his feet. He won gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and has helped encourage younger para-archers, including Sheetal Devi.