Barbie Thomas is a competitive body builder and model but she is not your run off the mill body builder or model. She is armless. Yes, she has no arms and that is why her story is amazing and inspiring. In this post, you will read some interesting information about her. I present to you another shining example of determination and doggedness in our world.
1. Barbie Thomas lost her two arms at age 2 when she climbed onto a transformer and held live wires. The electric current from the wires burned her arms so severely that they had to be amputated at the shoulders.
2. The doctors were of the opinion that she would be seriously hampered in performing physical functions but her mother made a commitment to ensure that Barbie lived a good life.
3. The doctors were surprised by her recovery and she says she survived the incident because God had plans for her life.
4. While growing up, she played soccer, danced and did aerobic running.
5. She was not allowed to be negative or say she couldn’t do something. She was taught to focus on what she could do and not on what she couldn't do. This gave her a positive mental attitude.
6. She loathes being regarded as a handicapped. "You can't use the word handicapped with her or she may punch you in the face," someone remarked.
7. She uses her shoulders as arms and uses her feet to open doors, plug in her music and grab her bags, and she uses her mouth to fasten the Velcro snaps on her dance shoes.
8. Her interest in competitive body building was aroused when she read about it an athletes’ magazine. A friend encouraged her and her journey into fitness fitness competition began.
9. She began competing in 2003.
10. The sport is grueling, demanding weight training five days a week and cardio work every day.
11. Her dance routines include splits and high kicks and even the ninja kip-up, where she makes full use of her feet.
12. She received the first-ever Inspiration Award of the National Physique Committee (NPC), the largest amateur bodybuilding organisation in the United States, last year. The Committee had been so impressed with her performance.
13. Barbie has two sons, aged 13 and 17.
As I end this post, I will like you to hear what Barbie has to say concerning her story: "I realise it inspires many people, and not just those with physical challenges…Follow your dreams and keep pushing and where there is a will, there is a way. We all have our own stuff to deal with and our own limitations and handicaps. Mine are just more visible. There's always someone else out there who has it worse."
What else can I add?
Splendid
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