Comments on: Some science of stub http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/ for people with 'wee thumbs' Thu, 24 Dec 2009 07:40:15 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Sarah http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-973 Sarah Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:15:16 +0000 http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-973 This has to be one of the most fantastic sites I've visited! I have one clubbed thumb and one 'normal' thumb. I discovered this when I was in the 4th grade. My joke with them is that I claimed I must of sat funny on the "clubbed" thumb when I was in my mother's womb. As well as everyone else, it's a great conversation starter. Most people are amazed and fascinated with it & I love it. I'm proud of my toe-thumb! :) It wasn't until recently did I decided to google it. My mom is taking nursing classes and pointed out that toe-thumb actually has a technical term but couldn't remember. Thus is how I began to research it. Seems silly to get all excited over but I never thought twice about it actually having a name and a genetic link nor a royal link at that. I am French-Canadian on my moms side and Scottish & English on my dad's side. Both sides with royal links. Very interesting. This has to be one of the most fantastic sites I’ve visited! I have one clubbed thumb and one ‘normal’ thumb. I discovered this when I was in the 4th grade. My joke with them is that I claimed I must of sat funny on the “clubbed” thumb when I was in my mother’s womb.

As well as everyone else, it’s a great conversation starter. Most people are amazed and fascinated with it & I love it. I’m proud of my toe-thumb! :)

It wasn’t until recently did I decided to google it. My mom is taking nursing classes and pointed out that toe-thumb actually has a technical term but couldn’t remember. Thus is how I began to research it.

Seems silly to get all excited over but I never thought twice about it actually having a name and a genetic link nor a royal link at that. I am French-Canadian on my moms side and Scottish & English on my dad’s side. Both sides with royal links. Very interesting.

]]> By: Thumbtastic http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-906 Thumbtastic Sun, 25 Oct 2009 09:16:57 +0000 http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-906 Like many of you out there, I too used to have major "thumb-issues" and would hide them every chance I got. Heads up, 7-up was my least favorite game in elementary school for obvious reasons. But then one day, when I was a lot older, I woke up and realized that I was made exactly how I was supposed to be, thumbs and all! I started thinking, "wow, I'm really good at giving massages thanks to them"... and it really didn't matter what other people thought, because quite frankly what tends to be a little bit different or what others don't completely understand, is always pointed out. I'm sure if one of our friends really felt our beautifully unique thumbs were such a big deal, they wouldn't so openly point them out to us. People don't realize how self-conscience and cynical we can be of ourselves. In the whole scheme of things, our thumbs are very minor and I truly feel we should all embrace them. We each have something that makes us a little unique and regardless of why we have them, we do...so lets just let them be and learn love ourselves... I give each of you a big thumbs up! :) Like many of you out there, I too used to have major “thumb-issues” and would hide them every chance I got. Heads up, 7-up was my least favorite game in elementary school for obvious reasons.

But then one day, when I was a lot older, I woke up and realized that I was made exactly how I was supposed to be, thumbs and all! I started thinking, “wow, I’m really good at giving massages thanks to them”… and it really didn’t matter what other people thought, because quite frankly what tends to be a little bit different or what others don’t completely understand, is always pointed out.

I’m sure if one of our friends really felt our beautifully unique thumbs were such a big deal, they wouldn’t so openly point them out to us. People don’t realize how self-conscience and cynical we can be of ourselves. In the whole scheme of things, our thumbs are very minor and I truly feel we should all embrace them. We each have something that makes us a little unique and regardless of why we have them, we do…so lets just let them be and learn love ourselves… I give each of you a big thumbs up! :)

]]> By: Joyce http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-900 Joyce Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:43:37 +0000 http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-900 There are so many other things in life to focus on, our thumbs are our thumbs. If people want to look at me funny because my thumbs look different then they can do so. I am more than and you are more than your thumbs. I am so glad to be able to touch my child's face, to prepare a meal, to operate a car, fiddle around on this key board, and many other things. I am able to do these things with my eight fingers, and two 'stubbed' thumbs, and I am happy. Almost all people have something on their body that they would change, some are visible, and some are not. I used to wish and think about surgery, but at some point, I thought, when I start thinking about such drastic measures, it is time to move on with my day. There is a song that says..'Don't worry BE HAPPY!' Were you born with eight fingers and two thumbs? BE HAPPY! Are you able to text as fast as you can (with your thumbs)? BE HAPPY! Can you wear a glove with a fifth digit for your thumb? BE HAPPY! The next time you see someone looking at your thumbs, ask them if they have a question that you can answer for them regarding your thumb, or say nothing at all and keep living.... Been there, done that...Here and doing it! And Happy! There are so many other things in life to focus on, our thumbs are our thumbs. If people want to look at me funny because my thumbs look different then they can do so. I am more than and you are more than your thumbs. I am so glad to be able to touch my child’s face, to prepare a meal, to operate a car, fiddle around on this key board, and many other things. I am able to do these things with my eight fingers, and two ’stubbed’ thumbs, and I am happy.

Almost all people have something on their body that they would change, some are visible, and some are not. I used to wish and think about surgery, but at some point, I thought, when I start thinking about such drastic measures, it is time to move on with my day. There is a song that says..’Don’t worry BE HAPPY!’ Were you born with eight fingers and two thumbs? BE HAPPY! Are you able to text as fast as you can (with your thumbs)? BE HAPPY! Can you wear a glove with a fifth digit for your thumb? BE HAPPY!

The next time you see someone looking at your thumbs, ask them if they have a question that you can answer for them regarding your thumb, or say nothing at all and keep living….

Been there, done that…Here and doing it!

And Happy!

]]> By: Andrea http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-899 Andrea Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:10:47 +0000 http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-899 Beth, you are NOT deformed! Deformed is missing knuckles, or limbs that are misshapen. Deformed is a cleft palate. Crooked arthritic agonizing ailments are one thing, but ugly stubby thumbs are another. Crooked noses are fixed because the septum is also crooked, and breathing is difficult. Medical technology advances come from a NEED not a WANT. Just because some people go under the knife for perceived imperfections doesn't make it a medical necessity. Look at poor Michael Jackson! He perceived himself to be ugly and ended up ruining his handsome face. Obviously, if you've got the money, you should enjoy whatever cosmetic corrections you want...but I really am hurt that you consider a stubby thumb to be some sort of hideous, grotesque feature that is worthy of radical medical research and surgery. It's not. Geez, look around and see that a stubby thumb is nothing compared to what other people suffer through. This forum has been a wonderful way for people to vent about a minor imperfection and realize that we ARE NOT FREAKS. I've been slightly embarassed by mine, and my daughter is a little weirded out but neither of us will let it screw up our whole lives. I've got plenty of dignity and self esteem for a hand full of stubby digits...and you should too! You are more than your thumbs. I wish you the best of luck in your search for thumb surgery. I won't be subscribing to this thread anymore...somehow it's not as uplifting... Beth, you are NOT deformed! Deformed is missing knuckles, or limbs that are misshapen. Deformed is a cleft palate. Crooked arthritic agonizing ailments are one thing, but ugly stubby thumbs are another.

Crooked noses are fixed because the septum is also crooked, and breathing is difficult. Medical technology advances come from a NEED not a WANT. Just because some people go under the knife for perceived imperfections doesn’t make it a medical necessity. Look at poor Michael Jackson! He perceived himself to be ugly and ended up ruining his handsome face. Obviously, if you’ve got the money, you should enjoy whatever cosmetic corrections you want…but I really am hurt that you consider a stubby thumb to be some sort of hideous, grotesque feature that is worthy of radical medical research and surgery. It’s not.

Geez, look around and see that a stubby thumb is nothing compared to what other people suffer through. This forum has been a wonderful way for people to vent about a minor imperfection and realize that we ARE NOT FREAKS. I’ve been slightly embarassed by mine, and my daughter is a little weirded out but neither of us will let it screw up our whole lives. I’ve got plenty of dignity and self esteem for a hand full of stubby digits…and you should too! You are more than your thumbs.

I wish you the best of luck in your search for thumb surgery. I won’t be subscribing to this thread anymore…somehow it’s not as uplifting…

]]> By: beth http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-898 beth Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:20:49 +0000 http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-898 the reason that there has been no surgery to correct this is that it does involve sensitive nerve systems, and they have not perfected a way to do this safely, I imagine. As I said above, it is better to have a functioning (deformed) thumb, than a non-functioning thumb. the reason that there has been no surgery to correct this is that it does involve sensitive nerve systems, and they have not perfected a way to do this safely, I imagine. As I said above, it is better to have a functioning (deformed) thumb, than a non-functioning thumb.

]]> By: beth http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-897 beth Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:17:21 +0000 http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-897 Well, I agree it is much more important to have functioning thumbs and fingers than have cosmetic perfection. And yes, there are several factors that have contributed to depression at times over the years.. But one of the legitmate reasons that people seek out plastic surgery is because they are severally or mildly self conscious about some feature that is displeasing in some way. I think two clubbed thumbs definitely beats out a crooked nose, for a displeasing feature..and is a legitimate cause for seeking out cosmetic surgery. Thank God for plastic surgery ; it has given many people back a sense of normalcy, dignity and self esteem, enough that they can forget about their looks and their bodies so they can concentrate on their lives and their relationships with people. It is not me who is as upset by this "disfigurement" as it is *others* out there in the world... who will judge, discriminate, reject, based on "appearances"...and I, for one, don't want or need it anymore. I deserve to feel good about my appearance. You can live your life that way you want to and you can accept your body as is if you want to. Well, I agree it is much more important to have functioning thumbs and fingers than have cosmetic perfection. And yes, there are several factors that have contributed to depression at times over the years.. But one of the legitmate reasons that people seek out plastic surgery is because they are severally or mildly self conscious about some feature that is displeasing in some way. I think two clubbed thumbs definitely beats out a crooked nose, for a displeasing feature..and is a legitimate cause for seeking out cosmetic surgery. Thank God for plastic surgery ; it has given many people back a sense of normalcy, dignity and self esteem, enough that they can forget about their looks and their bodies so they can concentrate on their lives and their relationships with people. It is not me who is as upset by this “disfigurement” as it is *others* out there in the world… who will judge, discriminate, reject, based on “appearances”…and I, for one, don’t want or need it anymore. I deserve to feel good about my appearance. You can live your life that way you want to and you can accept your body as is if you want to.

]]> By: Andrea http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-896 Andrea Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:00:18 +0000 http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-896 Beth, with all due respect, having an ugly thumb might be mildly embarassing if people stare at it, but it's hardly a disfigurement. I'm just grateful I have functioning thumbs, and hands, and arms, and legs. It sounds like you've got a lot going on in life and the deep depression from which you suffer has other origins. If, after seeking professional mental health services, you still don't like your thumbs, I would suggest a certified nail professional who can create lovely acrylic nails with deep pink nail beds and beautiful white crescents. It works for me. Beth, with all due respect, having an ugly thumb might be mildly embarassing if people stare at it, but it’s hardly a disfigurement. I’m just grateful I have functioning thumbs, and hands, and arms, and legs. It sounds like you’ve got a lot going on in life and the deep depression from which you suffer has other origins. If, after seeking professional mental health services, you still don’t like your thumbs, I would suggest a certified nail professional who can create lovely acrylic nails with deep pink nail beds and beautiful white crescents. It works for me.

]]> By: beth http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-895 beth Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:58:51 +0000 http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-895 I have wondered too, if there have been any cases of successful cosmetic surgery for this, and if there is any surgery to correct this. Both my thumbs are clubbed, and many years ago I consulted a few plastic surgeons (hand surgeons) and they all told me there was no surgery for this, that I would just have to accept myself. I could tell that all of them were embarrassed by this defect and didn't have much to say about it, or much to offer me in the way of consolation. I have suffered from deep depression, at times in my life from this. I imagine that others out there could be feeling the same way. With everything that modern cosmetic surgery can accomplish nowadays, you would think that someone would have perfected a surgery by now for this 'defect', but I don't think they have yet. My ancestry is english, swedish, italian, irish, german....so I have ALL the same bloodlines that a lot of you do. I'm not sure this has anything to do with royal bloodlines though, but it is very interesting to find out that it is more common in certain areas of the world. Thank you all, for being so brave to speak about it on a message board. I have wondered too, if there have been any cases of successful cosmetic surgery for this, and if there is any surgery to correct this. Both my thumbs are clubbed, and many years ago I consulted a few plastic surgeons (hand surgeons) and they all told me there was no surgery for this, that I would just have to accept myself. I could tell that all of them were embarrassed by this defect and didn’t have much to say about it, or much to offer me in the way of consolation. I have suffered from deep depression, at times in my life from this. I imagine that others out there could be feeling the same way. With everything that modern cosmetic surgery can accomplish nowadays, you would think that someone would have perfected a surgery by now for this ‘defect’, but I don’t think they have yet.
My ancestry is english, swedish, italian, irish, german….so I have ALL the same bloodlines that a lot of you do. I’m not sure this has anything to do with royal bloodlines though, but it is very interesting to find out that it is more common in certain areas of the world.
Thank you all, for being so brave to speak about it on a message board.

]]> By: elly http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-868 elly Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:45:07 +0000 http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-868 any surgery available??? any surgery available???

]]> By: Chelle http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-851 Chelle Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:27:42 +0000 http://alfparelli.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/some-science-of-stub/#comment-851 WOOOW!! I'm so blown away by the fact that there are other people with my thumb!! I have one clubbed and one regular. I've always hid it and have always been extremely self concious of it. My Dad has 2 clubbed thumbs and his sister has 2. My brother didn't get them, but I got, 1. I've been teased all my life about them. I have the biggest smile on my face reading thru these posts and I actually am starting to feel PROUD of my stub! Also, my Dad is Scottish and so I do think it's very plausable about the heritage thing. Thumbs up! WOOOW!! I’m so blown away by the fact that there are other people with my thumb!! I have one clubbed and one regular. I’ve always hid it and have always been extremely self concious of it. My Dad has 2 clubbed thumbs and his sister has 2. My brother didn’t get them, but I got, 1. I’ve been teased all my life about them. I have the biggest smile on my face reading thru these posts and I actually am starting to feel PROUD of my stub! Also, my Dad is Scottish and so I do think it’s very plausable about the heritage thing.

Thumbs up!

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