This is about an inspiring young lady that was born with no legs and just four fingers due to radiation from the 1987 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
Tatsiana (Tanya) Khvitsko, 26, was born in Belarus four years after the disaster and was hidden away whilst growing up but now wants to make a positive difference to the lives of others, INN reports
Like many children born with deformities in the wake of the 1986 explosion, her parents abandoned her at an orphanage where she learned to walk on her knees.
Over the next 24 years, Tatsiana continued to defy the odds by becoming a competitive runner, cross-fit athlete and bodybuilder with thousands of adoring fans on social media.
Tatsiana, with an air of confidence says, “I’m passionate about helping young girls get into fitness, especially those with disabilities because I know what it’s like to be uncomfortable with yourself,” “I know what it’s like to be stared at. But I also know what it’s like to be happy.” she says in the video
Tatsiana doesn’t let her disability define her and has overcome many challenges to accomplish her goals. After being gifted with prosthetic blades, she hasn’t been able to stop running—it feels like “flying” to her.
“It was never easy growing up,” said Tatsiana who now lives in Kansas City, MO. “Being the only one that has prostheses around your family and friends was always hard. I always did my very best of hiding my prostheses by wearing long pants or long dresses and skirts – it was my way of protecting myself from pity, but also protecting myself from all of the staring.”
Then at age 21, Khvitsko was invited to Florida to meet with skilled prosthetists for a new set of regular walking legs.
“On the very last day of my trip, they surprised me with my first ever set of running legs,” she says. “I remember putting on those prostheses for the first time and attempting to run. The feeling was incredible, and because I didn’t know how to control the blades yet, I was running so fast that people had to catch me to stop me!”
“There are times when I’d love to have legs, and I’d love to have all ten fingers,” she said. “Would I be as appreciated as I am today if I had legs? I doubt it, and so even though I wanna wear heels or I wanna wear a pretty dress I prefer where I am right now because I have so much more now.” she concluded gleefully.
Watch her video below and share your opinions. Video credit: Barcroft TV
https://youtu.be/IMxhtmX19xg
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