Claudio Vieira de Oliveira, a Brazilian man living with an upside down head, a deformity doctors said would kill him, is sharing his story on TLC UK’s Body Bizarre.

Who Is Claudio Vieira de Oliveira?

Oliveira, 37, was born with congenital arthrogryposis, which weakened his joints, resulting in unnaturally curved limbs. His feet and legs are awkwardly twisted, and his spine is twisted so severely, his head is pulled almost completely, causing his head to rest awkwardly on his back.

When Oliveira was born, doctors encouraged his mother to stop feeding him, saying he had little chance of survival, but she didn’t listen, and Oliveira eventually grew and adapted to life with his disability.

Though he was carried everywhere in his early childhood, he began to walk on his knees when he was 8, has learned to write with his teeth – his arms provide little help – and attended regular school, eventually earning a college degree and becoming a certified accountant.

“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,” Oliveira told the Mirror.

Oliveira prides himself on his independence and works as a public speaker.

Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.