In Brazil, a man with an inverted head promised to resume motivational speaking after isolating for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Claudio Vieira de Oliveira, 44, has a rare condition called arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. The condition greatly affects his joints which means he has muscular atrophy in his legs, arms are stuck at his chest, and his head is turned the other way around.

Vieira de Oliveira known to his friends as ‘Claudinho’, did not let his condition stop him from pursuing his passions and has spent over twenty years working as a motivational speaker.

Claudinho was told that he only has 24 hours to live at birth. But he proved the doctors wrong.

Claudinho defied the odds. He learned to walk on his knees at the age of 7 with specially designed support. He was also was taught to read and write by his mother at home.

 Claudinho lives in the north-eastern Brazilian state of Bahia, in the small municipality of Monte Santo, and despite having an inverted head, he has no difficulty in seeing, breathing, eating, or drinking. 

“I’ve never had difficulties, my life is normal,” Claudinho told G1, a Brazilian news site. “I’m in full-on quarantine because this Covid is very aggressive, it’s lethal, so we’re scared.”

“I’m being over twice as careful, I’ve been isolating for over a year and I only leave the house to sort out things that only I can do in person, such as banking,” he continued.

In addition to motivational speaking, Claudinho also volunteers with the local Christian educational project.

The ongoing worldwide health crisis put a pause on Claudinho’s usually busy life as he has been isolating at home to remain Covid-free, but he is hoping to resume motivational speaking in the coming month. 

“I miss it so much,” Claudinho said. “I’ve got a speech in the municipality of Bezerra, in the [north-eastern Brazilian] state of Pernambuco, scheduled for 28th April. If the pandemic eases, it’ll go ahead.”