Matt, founder of totchop here with a heart-warming story.
Several weeks ago, I received an email from a family in another country.
“Hi – I came across your product online through articles. I have been looking for exactly this!! My granddaughter ("M") was born without her left hand. A dull version would be perfect for her to use. Is there any possibility to ship this internationally?"
Totchop isn’t sold outside the U.S. (yet), and we don't have a dull version for sale (yet), but this request wasn’t something we could ignore. I headed out to my garage and got to work, dulling the edge of one of our knives with a file to make it safer for a kid.
I shipped internationally for the first time, and a month later, a package arrived at M's home.
The response? Pure joy. Absolutely worth it.
M had been wanting to be more independent at mealtimes but struggled to use a fork and knife together. When she saw her new knife, she lit up and shouted: “For me!!!!! I can cut cut cut!!!!”
She then proceeded to cut every fruit and vegetable in the house. M's totchop set has become a staple at the dinner table—so much so that if it’s ever forgotten, she quickly reminds her family to grab her “special knife.”
Mom's words:
"I would 100% recommend this to anyone with a limb difference, especially a parent who is hoping to give their child more food independence. The base is not too heavy but extremely sturdy and stays in place on the countertop. The groove in the handle shape allows little fingers to really work their palmar grasp and hold on tight.
I feel like this will be a permanent item in M's life for the foreseeable future. We both find it a useful tool that is easy to use and clean."
This is exactly why we do what we do. Can't wait to see what's ahead.
(Thank you to M’s mom for taking the time to provide feedback!)
- Matt