Bizarre: Meet the Brazilian man born with his head upside-down

A man born with physical disabilities so severe his head is Upside-down has defied the odds to become an inspirational public speaker.

Claudio Vieira de Oliveira, 37, was born with his neck folded back on itself, as well as badly deformed legs and almost no use of his arms and hands. Doctors told his mother to stop feeding him as a newborn as they believed he had no chance of survival. But Claudio from Monte Santo, Brazil, has overcome his extreme disadvantages to graduate as an accountant and become a public speaker. Continue...

"Since I was a child I've always liked to keep myself busy and work - I don't like to depend totally on other people. I do a bit of accounting, research for clients and consulting. I have learned to turn on the TV, pick up my cell phone, turn on the radio, use the internet, my computer - I do it all by myself." he said.

Claudio types with a pen held in his mouth, operates phones and a computer mouse with his lips and has specially made shoes that allow him to move around town. His determined independence saw him succeeding at school and qualifying as an accountant from the State University of Feira de Santana.

When Claudio was born, doctors told his mother Maria Jose he would not be able to survive. Maria Jose said:

"People started saying 'the baby is going to die' because he could barely breathe when he was born. Some people would say: 'Don't feed him, he is already dying'. But there's only happiness now. Claudio is just like any other person - that's how he was raised in this house. We never tried to fix him and always wanted him to do the normal things everyone else does. That's why he is so confident. He is not ashamed of walking around in the street - he sings and he dances."

At eight years old, Claudio, who had previously been carried everywhere, began to walk on his knees.

His family had to change the floor of the house so he could walk around without injuring himself.
Claudio's bed, plugs and lights had to be made lower so that he could do things for himself without asking for help.

He cannot use a wheelchair because of his unusual shape, making it hard for him to be independent outside the home - but he begged his mother to be allowed to go to school and learn with the other children. Doctors have recently diagnosed him with a rare condition called congenital arthrogryposis.

They believe he has multiple joint contractions in his legs and arms which mean they cannot extend properly. Claudio said:

"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. I don't see things upside-down. This is one of the things I always talk about in my interventions as a public speaker.

"Nowadays it's much easier to deal with the public, I'm not afraid of it anymore and I can say that I am a professional, international public speaker and that I receive invitations from all over the world."

Culled from UK Mirror

Tottenham have also launched a £14m bid, including Andros Townsend, to Southampton for Jay Rodriguez.

Mauricio Pochettino has so far bought four defenders and a goalkeeper this summer
Mauricio Pochettino is yet to make any attacking signings this summer, so far focusing on defence.
Tottenham have also launched a £14m bid, including Andros Townsend, to Southampton for Jay Rodriguez.
Olivier Giroud's injury leaves Arsene Wenger short of attacking options, but he yesterday said he there was no "miracle man" he could bring to the Emirates to solve their attacking problems.
Yaya Sanogo struggled up front in the 1-1 draw with Leicester at the King Power Stadium

Danny Welbeck to Arsenal: Manchester United striker 'undergoing medical' at Arsenal with move favoured over Tottenham

North London rivals could battle for England man

Whether Welbeck arrives at Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur remains to be seen, however The Independent understands the England striker would prefer a move to the Emirates.
Ironically, the 23-year-old is already at Arsenal's training camp - however that's due to the England squad training there ahead of their upcoming games against Norway and Switzerland.


Sky Sports News HQ went as far as claiming he is undergoing a medical at Arsenal, however it was then reported that the Gunners have denied a deal is in the offing.
After Falcao arrived at Old Trafford on a £9m loan deal Welbeck slipped further down the pecking order under Louis van Gaal.
Welbeck enjoyed his best season for Manchester United last season, scoring nine goals in 25 Premier League matches last season, but is a one of a number of United players Van Gaal will listen to offers for.

Arsenal transfer news: Can the Gunners still make a deadline day signing? Marco Reus, Edinson Cavani and others who could make a move

As Wenger referees in Rome, the Emirates looks to be done for the summer in terms of transfer business. Here’s a list of options should they change their mind

Photos: Genevieve Nnaji, Toke Makinwa, Oluchi Orlandi attend LPM event

Genevieve, Toke, Oluchi, Chalya Shagaya, Tokini Peterside, others step out for the inaugural LPM Africa Fashion Experience. It was an evening of Fashion, Style, Champagne and retail therapy as Le Petite Marche presented the first edition of the LPM Africa experience. See more pics after the cut...

 

Angelina Jolie’s Dad Reveals He Wasn’t Invited to Her Wedding

Last week, BN brought you the news that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt had gotten married at a small chapel service in France, attended by close family and friends.
Apparently, Angelina Jolie’s dad, Jon Voight, was not one of the “close family” invited.
According to TMZ, Voight said the first time he heard about the wedding was last week Thursday as he was reading some news online.
However, he insists that he wasn’t hurt about not being invited to the wedding because “he wouldn’t have been able to go anyway,” as he had Emmy Awards commitments – he was nominated for an award.
Jolie has had a rocky relationship with her father over the years. Her parents split up when she was very young due to her father’s infidelities. She reconciled with her father at one point, but it didn’t work out, and they went their separate ways.
Lately, the father and daughter are working on their relationship but that did not extend to the wedding.

So, is it ever ok to not invite your parents for your wedding?
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Brenda Chase/Jason Kirk

Musician Keri Hilson has been in a serious relationship with Congolese-Spanish NBA Star Serge Ibaka for a few years. Though their relationship has been on and off, the couple are currently together and regularly post coupled up photos on social media as well as attend major red carpet events together.

On Friday last week, Keri went on a mini-rant on twitter directed at women who vie for the attention of taken men specifically on social media. There have been many documented cases of celebrities and fans sharing sometimes explicit photos and messages on instagram and twitter. Based on her tweets, it seems as though Serge received questionable messages which he wisely shared with his girlfriend.

Read her messages below

Why do girls think it’s cute to vie for the attention of a taken man? Why don’t they feel hoe-ish? When did this become acceptable?
— Keri Hilson (@KeriHilson) August 29, 2014

Did ALL the rules go out the window w/ social media? Don’t we have more respect for OURSELVES, if not for other women? And relationships? — Keri Hilson (@KeriHilson) August 29, 2014

Meanwhile, that man AND his girlfriend are laughing at your thirsty ass–together. That’s what you need to know. Have a little self-respect.
— Keri Hilson (@KeriHilson) August 29, 2014

We are inclined to agree with Keri. So BellaNaijarians, what are your thoughts?
Photo Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images