Meet the Founders: Ali Barnum and Kari Treat of Limb Difference Collective

At the Limb Difference Collective, our mission is to provide support, resources, and hope to families with children who have limb differences. Today, we’d like to introduce you to the incredible women who made this possible: Ali Barnum and Kari Treat. Their personal experiences and dedication have been the driving force behind our community.

Ali Barnum: A Journey of Resilience

Ali Barnum’s journey with limb differences began when she learned during an early pregnancy scan that her son, Tyler, would be born with a limb difference. From that moment, Ali made it her mission to ensure Tyler would have every opportunity to thrive. Through her determination and optimism, Ali has become an advocate for families facing similar challenges.

Ali’s background in psychology and her experience as a mother have given her a unique perspective on the needs of children with limb differences. Her passion for helping others led her to co-found the Limb Difference Collective, where she shares her knowledge, resources, and unwavering support.

Kari Treat: Embracing Strength

Kari Treat’s journey began when her daughter, Mackenzie, was born with a limb difference. Kari’s initial fears and uncertainties quickly turned into a quest for information, support, and solutions. Through her journey, she discovered the power of community and the importance of celebrating every child’s unique strengths.

Kari’s passion for digging for more information and her role as a mother have equipped her with the tools to support other families. Her dedication to providing valuable resources and fostering a positive outlook has been instrumental in the growth of the Limb Difference Collective.

Together, and With Their Children, They Are Unstoppable

Ali and Kari’s combined experiences and dedication have created a powerful foundation for the Limb Difference Collective. Their personal stories are a testament to the strength and resilience of families facing limb differences. By sharing their journeys, they hope to inspire and support others in similar situations.

Why They Started Limb Difference Collective

As you'll hear Kari say, the "blessing and curse of social media" has an impact.

Ali and Kari connected on Facebook through one of the limb difference community groups. Both living in the west suburbs of Chicago, they finally had the opportunity to meet up with a few other moms and their kiddos with limb differences in late 2023. The group wanted to plan another gathering and decided to create an open Facebook Event to celebrate April's Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month in 2024. The response was incredible! Sixty families, including parents, caregivers, friends, and allies of kids and adults with limb differences, came together to meet, connect, and celebrate. They realized that so much more could be done locally to support their community.

The "Parenting Children with Limb Differences" Podcast:

The "Parenting Children with Limb Differences" podcast was the first step in expanding their outreach. The initial episodes were released in August 2024 and have featured personal stories from the co-hosts, other parents in the community, discussions about valuable resources, and interviews with adults with disabilities, medical professionals, organizations, and more.

Then Came the Limb Difference Collective

With input from the community, they started the Limb Difference Collective in 2025 to create a space where families could find hope, share stories, and access valuable resources. They understand the challenges that come with raising a child with a disability, and they are committed to ensuring that no family feels isolated on this journey.

Through this website, podcast, and community connections, Ali and Kari provide a wealth of information, from information from medical professionals to adaptive technologies. They hope to be able to offer a curated selection of products designed to enhance the lives of children with limb differences in the near future.

Join Us

We invite you to explore this site, listen to our podcast "Parenting Children with Limb Differences," and become an active member of our community. Together, we can create a world where every child is celebrated for their unique abilities.