Becca Brown of St. Petersburg was born with a portion of her hands and feet missing due to a birth defect at chromosome 10q2, which is sometimes referred to as SHFM or split-hand, split-foot malformation. She also lived in an orphanage until she was about 7.
Despite the adversity that she’s faced, she had done things that most people without birth defects have never done.
“I’ve played a bunch of sports,” she told FOX 13. “I’ve gone diving, I’ve flown airplanes, I can drive cars, I pretty much just live a normal life and the only time I’m reminded that I’m not normal is when I first meet someone for the first time. You always got people looking at you or teasing you. You know kids can be cruel because they don’t understand.”
But Becca says defects, disabilities, or even bullies can’t stop you if you’re determined to succeed and live a full life.
“I think that for all of us, whether your limits are visible to the outward appearance or not, I think your greatest limitation is your own mind,” she said.
Becca now works at the deli counter at the Gateway Mall’s Publix and although her birth defect does affect her hands it doesn’t prevent her from being able to work.
Becca also has a son, Marcus, with the same birth defect. She didn’t realize that it was inherited because she never met her parents and lived in a Russian orphanage until she was adopted when she was 7-years-old.
“We have even the rarer form that affects 20 percent of the 20 percent who have it, which affects both sides identically,” she explained. “That’s why he’s missing both of his arms from the same spot and we also have the same feet where we’re missing the toes,” she explained.”
Becca says she plans to teach her son the same values that she lives by in hopes that he too will live a happy life.
“By me coming out and sharing my story and my dreams for my little son, I just want people to know that in this huge world of diversity, we’re all humans,” he said. “Just respect each other, love each other, care for each other and dream big for each other. That’s what we should be doing.”
Becca is a truly resilient and remarkable human being. Check out her story in the video below and please SHARE this with your friends and family.
