A Brazilian man, born with his head bent upside down, has now become an inspirational public speaker.
Claudio Vieira de Oliveira was born with congenital malformation, a rare degenerative disorder due to which not only is his neck folded backwards but his limbs are also of almost no use. But despite the severe physical disabilities, the 37-year-old's zest for life is no less than that of an athlete's.
"I have never contemplated giving up," de Oliveira, who belongs to Monte Santo, is heard saying in a video clip by TLC UK's "Body Bizarre".
When de Oliveira was a little baby, doctors and other people reportedly told his mother to stop feeding him as his chances of survival were next to none.
"People started saying 'the baby is going to die' because he could barely breath when he was born. Some people would say: 'Don't feed him, he is already dying'", Daily Mail quoted his mother Maria Jose as saying.
However, today his life has become an example for many to look forward and up, no matter what the circumstances are. de Oliveira, a graduate from State University of Feira de Santana, is now an accountant by profession.
de Oliveira says he has always tried to keep himself busy since childhood, and that he does not like to depend on other people. Despite his physical disabilities, he says, he has taught himself to turn on the TV, pick up the cell phone, use the internet and perform many other basic tasks.
He writes with a pen held in his mouth and operates computers and phones with his lips.
"Throughout my life I was able to adapt my body to the world. Right now, I don't see myself as being different. I am a normal person," de Oliveira said, according to People. "I don't see things upside down."
Watch this video to see how de Oliveira is inspiring thousands of people across the word.
Video credit: Youtube/PatrynWorldLatestNew
