When Claudio Vieira de Oliveira was born, he was not expected to live more than 24 hours.
Now, 44 years later, the Brazilian man, whose rare medical condition has left his head turned all the way back, works as a motivational speaker and is living life to the fullest.
However, after contracting COVID-19, he has had to put his plans on pause.
According to The New York Post, Vieira de Oliveira has a condition called arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, which also caused muscular atrophy in his legs and his arms to be permanently fixed at his side.
Despite that, Oliveira, who is a motivational speaker, has said in previous interviews that he has “never had (difficulties), my life is normal.”
“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,” he said in 2014, reports People. “I don’t see things upside down.”
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, he took precautions, but despite “isolating for over a year,” he still contracted the illness.
“I’m in full-on quarantine because this COVID is very aggressive, it’s lethal, so we’re scared. Spare me, God, from this damned illness,” he said.
Vieira de Oliveira hopes that the pandemic eases soon so he can go back to his work.
Staying in amid the pandemic, and now after testing positive for COVID-19, has proven a particular challenge for the man, who is has been delivering motivational speeches since 2000.
“I’m missing it so much. I’ve got a speech in the municipality of Bezerra, in the state of Pernamubco, scheduled for April 28,” he shared. “I want to give my talks again and live for many years.”
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