Vitoria Bueno was born without arms, making her a social curiosity in her small community in rural Brazil where her dream of becoming a dancer appeared cruelly unachievable. Her mother Wanda, 39, described the insensitivity while expressing her continued hurt: “People would line up outside the house to see her.” They would check her out by lifting up her sleeves. Image: Reuters Bueno’s talent has made her a social media sensation and an inspiration to many.
She is now a regular at the ballet academy in her hometown in the state of Minas Gerais. In the theater where she performs, Bueno explained, “Arms are only a detail for me. “I watch after them as if they were present.” Dance has given Bueno the power and flexibility she needed to do more than just fulfill a goal; she uses her feet for everything from tooth brushing to pulling things up off the shelf in the grocery store.
Jose Carlos Perreira, her stepfather, observed, “There are things she can accomplish with her feet that I couldn’t do with my hands.” With more than 414,000 followers on Instagram (@vihb_bailarina), Bueno is happy to serve as an example for others.
Credit – Reuters | Leonardo Benassatto; Stephen Eisenhammer; Richard Chang et all.
