Unstoppable: Woman With No Arms Nurtures Baby Using Her Feet
Her remarkable story inspires hope and resilience.
A 28-year-old woman refused to let missing arms slow her down, and Dejana Backo turned that reality into a whole life of art, sport, and stubborn wins. Born in Novi Sad, Serbia on December 9, 1994, she became the “girl with wings” for a reason, she learned to do everything with her feet and never treated her body like a dead end.
Now the story gets even more intense, because Dejana is stepping into motherhood. She and her husband, Marko, have built an adventurous life together, sharing trips and escapades online, but this new chapter has her temporarily pausing her passions to focus on caring for their baby.
And honestly, watching someone who mastered para taekwondo and mouth-and-foot painting navigate pregnancy and newborn life is the kind of twist you do not expect.
Dejana Backo's journey is one of resilience and triumph, marked by her exceptional talents as both an artist and an athlete. Her life story embodies the spirit of overcoming obstacles and emerging stronger. With a profound message of self-discovery and empowerment, Dejana sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities while serving as an inspiration to many.
However, a new chapter has unfolded in Dejana's life as she recently embarked on the journey of motherhood. This new role has led her to temporarily step away from her passions to devote herself to caring for her little one.
Before motherhood changes her schedule, Dejana’s days were all about painting, showing her work across nearly 20 Balkan cities, and then training for para taekwondo glory.
Born on December 9, 1994, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Dejana Backo defied the odds from the very beginning. Despite being born without upper extremities, she refused to let this obstacle hinder her. Instead, it became the driving force propelling her toward extraordinary achievements as both an artist and an athlete.
As she grew up, Dejana often pondered why she was different, but over time, she came to understand that her disability would not hinder her from living a rich and rewarding life. In addition to her remarkable achievements, she and her husband, Marko, lead an adventurous life, exploring new destinations and sharing their escapades on social media.
But as soon as Dejana and Marko welcomed this new chapter, the “girl with wings” had to temporarily step away from her passions to care for their little one.
Dejana's artistic talent blossomed at a young age when she joined the Society of Mouth and Foot Painters at just 9 years old. Following her graduation from Design Art School in 2014, she pursued further education at Novi Sad's Academy of Fine Arts. Throughout the years, she showcased her art in nearly 20 cities across the Balkans through solo exhibitions.
Dubbed the 'girl with wings,' Dejana is celebrated as an icon of empowerment in Serbia. Despite being born without arms, she soared to unprecedented heights, securing world champion status in para taekwondo at the 2019 World Para Taekwondo Championship in Turkey—a remarkable achievement for her nation. While her dream of competing in the Paralympic Games in taekwondo was dashed when she discovered her category wasn't included, she pivoted her focus to para archery.
That pause hits harder when you remember she was already a world champion in para taekwondo at the 2019 World Para Taekwondo Championship in Turkey.
In February 2023, Dejana marked another significant milestone as she welcomed her first daughter into the world. In preparation for this new chapter, she made the decision to temporarily step back from competitive sports. This means she will miss out on the opportunity to compete at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Even during her hiatus from the arena, Dejana stays engaged with her followers on social media, where she shares her insights. Now, as a new mother, she offers a candid glimpse into her journey of motherhood, sharing the highs and lows. Dejana candidly admitted, "It wasn't easy at first. I longed to lift our baby on my own, but it was beyond my reach."
Still, with Marko by her side and their social media adventures continuing, Dejana’s story is not slowing down, it is just reshaping into motherhood mode.
Dejana had to innovate methods to fulfill her parenting duties and is diligently acquiring "everything she needs to learn" to care for her daughter. In her videos, she demonstrates various tasks using her feet, including feeding her daughter, lifting her out of the crib, and even changing her diaper.
"When I feed her now, I just need assistance from my husband to place her on a pillow between my legs. I can manage many tasks on my own, but they do take more time," she added.
Her candid sharing of both the highs and lows garnered praise from many. Despite the accolades, Dejana humbly asserted that she's merely capturing her family's everyday life, navigating it in their unique way. However, she remains resolute in her ability to overcome any hurdles.
Dejana Backo showcases her unwavering dedication to caring for her daughter despite the obstacles, but she's not the only one. A Paraguayan father, born without arms and legs, has also triumphed against adversity in raising his family independently.
Dejana didn’t lose her momentum, she just redirected it into a baby-sized mission.
