Nine-year-old Remington Bateman was born without a left hand, making her an amputee from birth. Like many families navigating the healthcare system, hers faced a heartbreaking setback when their insurance provider, Select Health, denied coverage for a robotic prosthetic, stating it was “not medically necessary.” The prosthetic, however, would significantly improve Remington’s mobility, independence, and long-term health by reducing strain on her back and shoulders as she grows.
Determined to give their daughter the best chance possible, Remington’s family launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise the money themselves. Within hours, donations poured in, quickly surpassing $25,000—an overwhelming show of support from people moved by Remington’s story. Shortly afterward, a company called CrowdHealth stepped in and offered to cover the full cost of Remington’s advanced prosthetic, known as the Hero Arm.
With her own need now met, Remington made a remarkable and compassionate decision. Instead of keeping the funds, she chose to donate the money to another child in need—eight-year-old Tyraun “Taj” Johnson Jr., who was also born without a left arm and had received the same insurance denial. Thanks to Remington’s selfless act, both children will now receive state-of-the-art bionic arms.
Remington’s mother, Jami, shared that their original goal was simply to raise awareness about how often insurance denials impact families with children who have disabilities. They never imagined it would lead to helping another child as well. Taj’s family called Remington’s gesture a true “blessing” and expressed deep gratitude for her generosity.
Remington’s new Hero Arm, created by Open Bionics, is a multi-grip bionic hand that responds to muscle signals in her forearm. The technology will allow her greater freedom of movement, independence in daily activities, and healthier physical development as she grows—proving that compassion and community can sometimes succeed where systems fall short.
