Elisa Ynafante Ferreira is a spirited 9-year-old from Georgia born with a limb difference. She’s inspired by her favorite Disney character, Princess Tiana, to overcome challenges every day. Recently, Elisa received a surprise fit for royalty when she became the first-ever recipient of a special Princess Tiana bionic arm cover from Open Bionics. What she thought was an average trip to Florida turned into a VIP experience, including receiving her new Princess Tiana bionic arm cover, attending an exclusive soiree and riding the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction in Walt Disney World® Resort, before it officially opened to guests.

Children with limb differences often face challenges, including feeling self-conscious about their prosthetic limbs. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States an estimated 1 in every 2,100 babies is born with a limb reduction defect, highlighting a more common occurrence than many realize. Since 2018, we’ve made Disney artwork available to Open Bionics, a medical device company that develops Disney-themed covers for bionic Hero Arms, which provide multi-grip functionality to help enhance the human body. These Hero Arms empower children with limb differences to celebrate their uniqueness as the true superpower.

We believe the magic of Disney should be accessible to everyone. The eldest of three children, Elisa is not just a competitive dancer and Girl Scout who has received awards, but she’s also a dream chaser much like Princess Tiana. Elisa’s journey is not just a story; it’s inspiration for all of us.