April Lockhart

April Lockhart was born on July 4 1995 When she was in the seventh grade, she started playing guitar and piano lessons which ignited her love for writing songs. The first song she wrote was called Different, which she wrote at 12 years of age. At the age of 14, April devoted much of her time creating and playing with songs. Soon, April began going in NY and LA with her Dad to help them compose songs. April began including other topics in Take My Hand for her friends who were dealing with disabilities, peer pressure or even suicide. Lockhart is a popular figure and also works as an online lifestyle blogger for the renowned Ilia Clean Beauty brand. She was born without her left hand and that is an aspect of her identity, but that's not the entire story. Lockhart's profile on Instagram doesn't cover up her disability, but it does not just focus on it. What message is it sending? The message? That we each contain multitudes, that our identity and physical bodies aren't what they seem. Lockhart speaks through video from Nashville. "I do not wish for it to dictate my existence. I do not want to be only recognized as an expert in disabilities. It doesn't impact my daily routine. I go about doing my job as normal and have found different ways of adapting. The same is true for my personality, and it's something that needs to be addressed. Lockhart inspires us to keep going with self-acceptance. She has been through times when she felt uncomfortable in dressing in certain styles that exposed her arms. She dresses according to her preferences and posts photos of herself in the outfits she picks out on social platforms. Self-love, she says, is a kind of journey. "I believe that you'll be there," she said. It's true for all regardless of level of insecurity. The people around you with who truly know your personal story and who can look through your eyes are the best people who can remind you of the things you're worrying about.