Check Out Jian Wood’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jian Wood.

Hi Jian, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story. 
My name is Jian (g-n), and I am 24 years old. I was adopted from China at the age of two. My mom is a single mother with six kids. My older sister is her biological daughter, my two brothers and one sister are adopted from China (we’re not biologically related), and my youngest sister is adopted from Africa. I was born with a limb difference, and I am proudly a part of the Lucky Fin Project. My one brother was also born missing most of his left arm. We get mistaken as twins sometimes. However, I am not biologically related to any of my siblings. We just so happened to both be born without our left hand. I have my associate in psychology, but I have spent the last five years working at Party City. And out of those five years, I have been a manager for about three years. And although I have a degree and am a manager, my dream job is social media. 

I love tiktok. I talk about my adoption, my limb difference, the importance of mental health, lego reviews, and whatever else is trending. I just want to help people. And receiving messages and DMs about how I have helped people through my videos it makes my heart happy. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The struggles that I have faced are not what people would assume. When people see that I have one hand, they assume that I struggle physically. However, the hardest part about having a physical difference is the mental part of it. If I come across something that I cannot do, I figure out another way to do it. But when it comes to dealing with other peoples: reactions, opinions, constant stares, obvious pointing, and judgments about my missing hand- that’s what I struggle with. Adoption is another thing that I struggle with. Adoption is complex. And I know that my abandonment/attachment issues, never feeling like I’ll ever be enough for anyone and always having to attach meaning to everything- are because of my adoption. People are quick to label adoptees as “ungrateful” if they don’t express their appreciation for being adopted. But what they don’t feel are the other emotions that come with it. I love my family. But I am also curious about my biological family. I can be abandoned and in the same lifetime, be found. I can feel unwanted and know that I belong to my family. I know that I am loved by my family, but no amount of love heals the pain that I feel from my biological family. Adoption is complex. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a manager at Party City! I do everything from managing my team to being cashier, to blowing up balloons, to making sure customers are being helped, to helping with planograms/pack up, and everything in between. I am probably known for being nice and helpful while usually doing it with a smile on my face. I’m most proud of keeping the same job for half a decade. Missing a hand definitely sets me apart from others. But it doesn’t limit me. I still do what everyone does, and I do it with one hand. 

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Kindness. The power of being kind to people can be life-changing. It can literally mean the difference between life and death for someone. & maybe even for yourself. Be kind to others. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/jianwood
• Other: TikTok.com/@jianwood

Image Credits
Myles
Everly