Every community thrives when families with unique needs feel seen, heard, and supported. In Schaumburg and beyond, the Limb Difference Collective Foundation (LDCF) is weaving connections, creating resources, and amplifying stories for children and adults navigating life with limb differences. Here’s an inside look at their mission, impact, and information on how you can get involved:
Note: Publisher, Kari Treat, is a co-founder of the Limb Difference Collective Foundation. Learn more about her experience as a first time mom hearing about her daughter's limb difference disability at birth in "Embracing Diversity: 10 Fingers Are Overrated (April 2024)"
Founding Story
When Kari Treat, Ali Barnum, and a few other moms met up for a play date in December 2023, they had one goal: connect their children who were born with a limb difference, and find comfort knowing they were not alone in this parenting journey. One play date turned into more, and then a Facebook invite saying "Let's meet at the Zoo to celebrate April's Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month" which brought 150 adults and children with limb differences and their families in the Chicagoland area for a meet up.
Seeing connections made, and hearing stories told, gave them the idea to start the Parenting Children with Limb Differences Podcast in the summer of 2024, and led to an even larger turnout to the Zoo meet up in April 2025. In an effort to keep these events going, and goal of getting more resources out to parents just starting off in this journey, Ali, Kari, and Tarah Behrens, along with the help of the original mom's group and new friends, started the Limb Difference Collective Foundation officially receiving their 501c3 public nonprofit charitable status in July 2025.
 2025 Limb Loss & Limb Difference Awareness Month Meet Up |
What is the mission of the Limb Difference Collective Foundation?
LDCF empowers individuals with limb differences and their families through resources, advocacy, and connection. Their goal is to challenge societal biases, foster inclusion, and celebrate resilience by sharing personal stories, hosting events, and providing practical support.
Who does LDCF serve?
- Children, teens, and adults born with or acquiring limb differences
- Parents, caregivers, siblings, and extended family members seeking guidance
- Medical professionals, educators, and community allies looking for best practices in care and inclusion
 Limb Different Friends at Camp No Limits |
How does LDCF make, or plan to create, an impact in our community?
- Hosting frequent playdates and coordinating an annual Limb Loss & Limb Difference Awareness Month gathering at Brookfield Zoo
- Distributing the Hug in a Box, a curated resource bundle for families and healthcare providers across Illinois and nationally
- Producing the “Parenting Children With Limb Differences” podcast featuring lived experiences and expert insights
- Partnering with hospitals and maternal-fetal medicine specialists to improve prenatal counseling
Why does Schaumburg and the surrounding region need LDCF?
Families often feel isolated after a disability diagnosis. Kari found out at her daughter's birth, Ali found out at her son's 20-week ultrasound, and there were limited resources provided from their doctors, mixed information was available online, and local peer-to-peer connections were non-existent. Along with that, limb differences, especially an affected upper limb that does not hinder mobility, but still comes with it's own challenges, may not always receive the support or therapy services available to other disabilities. Healthcare teams may lack family-centered resources for prenatal and postnatal education. Inclusive community events and practical toolkits help parents foster independence and confidence in their children. By blending lived experiences, with a unique platform, LDCF transforms our region into a place where every family finds hope and a supportive village.
"We're creating something we wish they had in those first few weeks of discovering our child had something a little unique about them." Kari Treat
How can readers get involved?
- Follow LDCF on Facebook & Instagram
- Attend an upcoming event to support the inclusive community
- Subscribe to the “Parenting Children With Limb Differences” podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
- Donate to help build the Hug in a Box support bundles
- Visit limbdifferencecollective.org to sign up for LDCF’s newsletter and access the resource hub
- Contact for more information: info@limbdifferencecollective.org
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This article kicks off a new series spotlighting Schaumburg-area nonprofits. Know a group making a difference for families? Email me at karit@macaronikid.com be featured next!
Macaroni KID Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates aims to cover all the best family-friendly events and things to do with kids around Arlington Heights, Bloomingdale, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Rolling Meadows, Roselle, Schaumburg and Streamwood. Engage using the buttons below!
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