When you think of all that we do with our hands, it’s hard to imagine completing even the most basic day-to-day tasks without them.
But 13-year-old Subhadra Tungo who was born without arms, isn’t letting her disability stop her from living life to the fullest. The incredible teenager wore prosthetic limbs as a child, but eventually decided that she preferred using her feet.
"There's nothing that can substitute the tactile ability of flesh and bone and my feet have that ability," she said. "Naturally people saw me not having arms as a limiting factor but I am here to prove them wrong."
Subhadra, who lives in the Suliapada Block of eastern Indian state Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, doesn’t need help when she brushes her hair, eats, cooks, paints and writes.
“I was ready to feed her and she just snatched it up with her little foot and started eating it all by herself,” Subhadra's mum explained. “We were just completely amazed and knew from that point that she could just do anything.”
Subhadra’s father said his daughter is her own best teacher, and commended her ability to acclimate to nearly every situation.
“People will often ask, ‘How did you teach her to do this or that with her feet?’ The answer is we didn’t teach her,” the proud dad said. "She has learned to adapt in so many ways. She writes very well with her toes. She draws and colors. She brushes her teeth, she can wash and brush her hair,” he said.
The filmer told Newsflare: "Subhadra used to get embarrassed in school often, but soon learned creative answers to questions from her classmates and now has many friends and was awarded 'distinct level' in a painting competition."
"I just want to be able to do things the same way as other children" Subhadra added.
"Subhadra is an inspiration to other children with disabilities and she is very much intelligent and confident. I wish for her better future" said District Education Officer, Mayurbhanj.
Subhadra said she hopes her story will inspire parents and encourage others to overcome their obstacles: “Don’t let anyone stop you from doing something you really love. I have no hands that's why I didn't feel any sorrow. People are doing all the work in their hands but I do all the work on my feet.
"I get inspiration from my parents and teachers to draw pictures. For these pictures, I received many prizes. I want to be a teacher in the future."
