When Claudio Vieira de Oliveira from Monte Santo, Brazil, was born, doctors sadly told his mother that the newborn's chances of survival were slim. They suggested that the mother, Maria José, stop feeding him, as he would not live long.
But Claudio surprised the doctors and managed to survive for many years, albeit with severe deformities, during which he became an international and inspiring speaker who filled halls.
Claudio can barely use his arms and legs, and his head is almost frighteningly tilted back, unable to straighten.
Despite his severe limitations, Claudio has proven that willpower can overcome even the greatest obstacles: he graduated from university and holds a degree in accounting. In addition, as mentioned, he is a sought-after lecturer who inspires his large audiences.
Claudio told the Daily Express website: "Since I was a child I have always liked to keep myself busy with hard work. I don't like to be dependent on others.
""I do accounting work and economic research for my clients. I can use a mobile phone and I learned to work on a computer and the Internet.".
At a young age, Claudio begged his mother to allow him to go to school, even though he was unable to move even in a wheelchair, due to his deformed body structure.
Today, Claudio moves around with the help of special shoes that were ordered for him, and he operates some of the devices with his lips. His furniture and household items were also specially adapted to his different body structure.
According to doctors, Claudio suffers from a rare neurological syndrome, which causes joint spasms in both his arms and legs.
""I don't see myself as a different person," Claudio says in his lectures. "My head may be upside down, but the world seems straight to me. I adapt my body to the world.".
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