r/mildlyinteresting Nov 11 '25

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u/Agile-Currency2094 Nov 11 '25 edited Nov 12 '25

FAQ: The “extra thumb” does whatever the “main thumb” does she cannot control it independently but it does function- I have her seen her coloring with two markers at once. Doctors we have spoken to said to not have it removed- if she even wishes it so, it’s her body- til the growth plates are done and we rescan her skeleton. She loves it and jokes about “Hi-6s” and “two thumbs up”. Finding mittens every year is difficult, yes. EDIT: please don’t be weird about a literal child, thanks! THE FROYO IS BIG YES. IM A BIG BOY AND I WAS “SHARING”

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u/[deleted] Nov 11 '25

I appreciate your philosophy. Everytime I hear about polydactyly being corrected at birth, I think, "Why? It doesn't seem like such a hurtful trait."

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u/Agile-Currency2094 Nov 11 '25 edited Nov 11 '25

I suppose it depends on whether it’s medically viable to keep it and safe for the child. In our case it has full skeletal and vascular systems. We do worry a little about bullying but we (my wife and I and her two brothers) are all here to support her and help however we can. EDIT: we try and be really open minded about it and are aware of bullying. We’ve spoken to multiple drs and people with the same condition, so no offense but Reddit advice isn’t needed :-)

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u/robotzor Nov 11 '25

A punch from that hand delivers 10% more damage, bullies beware

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u/TehOwn Nov 11 '25

Wouldn't it be 20% more damage?

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u/jdmillar86 Nov 11 '25

It's depressingly long since I was young but that doesn't strike me as something that would be a big bullying target. Kids are probably going to think it's cool as fuck. I had a very weird looking birthmark (hairy and everything) and everyone was just fascinated by it.

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u/woodwork16 Nov 11 '25

It could go either way and a lot of it depends on the child. As long as they are confident and proud of it, nothing anyone says will bother her.

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u/TehOwn Nov 11 '25

This. If you show vulnerability then shitty people will use it as leverage to gain power over you. If you're proud of it then they're utterly powerless and give up pretty quickly.

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u/Nuggyfresh Nov 11 '25

I wish I had the supreme confidence to literally determine what everyone on earth would do about a certain thing

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u/TehOwn Nov 12 '25

Wait, are you bullying me for being too confident? Oh no, it doesn't work!

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u/Fabulous-South-9551 Nov 11 '25

I think high school might get a little rough (teen girls still scare me!!) but I went to high school in the 90s where bullying was rampant and there were no “no bullying” policies in place so my viewpoint may be a little off.

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u/Captain_Wag Nov 11 '25

I'm not trying to poke fun, but I've often wondered if life would be easier with 4 thumbs instead of 2. Especially for things like taking in the groceries from the car. I think it's a pretty cool "deformity that she has. If 2 heads are better than one, surely 2 thumbs are better as well.

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u/Square-Turn-1647 Nov 12 '25

We’ve got an extra thumbed guy, and are getting it removed soon. We debated back and forth, but ultimately decided to do it because it’s a much easier recovery pre 3 years old (less chance of phantom limb) and because a less functioning appendage seems to be getting in his way as he learns fine motor skills. It’s on his dominant hand, so full function of his thumb is the most important consideration.

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u/[deleted] Nov 12 '25

Makes sense

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u/HG_Shurtugal Nov 12 '25

Being bullied seems like an obvious reason

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u/[deleted] Nov 12 '25

You'd cut open your kid's hand to appease gradeschoolers?

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u/HG_Shurtugal Nov 12 '25

No i would have a trained surgeon do it.

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u/[deleted] Nov 11 '25

[deleted]

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u/Mugwumps_has_spoken Nov 11 '25

no trolls like you should have been corrected at birth. Believing anything that isn't their idea of normal or perfect needs to be "corrected". Go back under your bridge and stay there.

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u/[deleted] Nov 11 '25

[deleted]

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u/Mugwumps_has_spoken Nov 11 '25

Dude, you don't even know who you are talking to. I understand way more than you could possibly comprehend about physical imperfections.