Brazilian ballerina born without arms soars with her attitude

Vitoria Bueno's talent has made her a social media star and an inspiration to many

Published: February 12, 2021 11:17 Reuters and Compiled by Christian Borbon, Senior Web Editor

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When Vitoria Bueno's mother first dropped her off at ballet class, she worried about her five-year-old fitting in. Image Credit: Reuters

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Born without arms, Bueno's dream of being a dancer seemed painfully unrealistic - especially in a small town in rural Brazil, where her disability made her a social curiosity. Image Credit: Reuters

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"People would line up outside the house to see her," said her mother Wanda, 39, still hurt as she recalled the insensitivity. Image Credit: Reuters

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"They would lift up her sleeves to look." But Bueno, now 16, focused on her assembles, pirouettes and other technical challenges. She took up jazz and tap as well. Image Credit: Reuters

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Now a regular at the ballet academy in her hometown in the state of Minas Gerais, Bueno's talent has made her a social media star and an inspiration to many. Image Credit: Reuters

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"For me, arms, they're just a detail," Bueno said at the theater where she performs. "I follow with my eyes, as if they were there." Image Credit: REUTERS

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Watching her glide across the wooden stage, synchronized with her colleagues in a dazzle of green and white, it is easy to forget she dances without arms. "I don't feel like I need them at all," she added. Image Credit: Reuters

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She started ballet on the advice of her physiotherapist, who noticed the young Bueno would arrive dancing. Image Credit: Reuters

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More than just realizing a dream, the strength and flexibility gained through dance have proven crucial to Bueno, who does everything from brushing her teeth to picking items off the supermarket shelf with her feet. Image Credit: Reuters

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"There are things she can do with her feet that I can't do with my hands," said her stepfather, Jose Carlos Perreira. Image Credit: Reuters

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With over 150,000 Instagram followers (@vihb_bailarina), Bueno is glad to be a role model for others too. "We are more than our disabilities, so we have to chase our dreams," she said, flashing a broad smile. Image Credit: Reuters

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