A mom with no arms has opened up about her life with the physical disability. ‘I’m a mum with no arms but it doesn’t stop me looking after my daughter’
Dejana Backo was born without legs, and although this presents difficulties, she has never allowed it to stop her from living her life and coming up with inventive ways to complete daily chores.
Just four months ago, the 28-year-old and her partner, Marko Nezic, 24, welcomed their baby daughter, Lara, into the world, and the pair couldn’t be happier.
Since giving birth, Dejana has been posting open videos on TikTok (@marko_dejana) about her experiences as a mother, including the highs and lows. Her videos have received millions of views.
“It was not easy in the beginning,” the artist said. “I wanted to pick up our baby so badly by myself, but I could not do it.
“However, now that Lara is four months, I find it easier to do things, such as getting her from her bed and putting her into chairs. Her neck is now stronger and she is also growing up so fast.”
Having no arms, Dejana, has to find alternative ways to do what other parents might take for granted – like feed or dress their child.
Since giving birth, Dejana has been posting open videos on TikTok (@marko_dejana) about her experiences as a mother, including the highs and lows. Her videos have received millions of views.
In one video, the mother says she’s learning “everything she needs to learn” for her daughter Lara as she shows how to place her in a baby carrier with just her feet. In addition to her fingers and hands, Dejana can open objects with her chin, shoulder, and hands.
The “superhero” mom can also change her daughter using just her feet and toes which can be seen in another clip on her TikTok.
The mom said: “When I feed her now, I just need help from my husband to put her on a pillow and into my legs. I can do a lot of things by myself, but still, they take more time.”
There are some things that the family avoids to make life a bit easier, such as cooking. They also have assistance with cleaning the house.
Dejana said: “We do not cook, we always eat somewhere outside like in a restaurant or someone else’s kitchen. We also have a lady that we pay to clean and also helps us two hours a day with Lara, especially in the evening.”
Dejana, a Serbian artist, gained popularity on TikTok for her foot-paintings before she became a mother. But she’s been astounded by the supportive remarks about her parenting abilities, with some referring to her as “superwoman.”
The mom insists this is just their “normal” life and they are not “doing anything special”.
She said: “Yes, we were surprised by the amount of followers we got. That was never our goal but with trow sport, painting and also parenting now, we gained a lot of publicity and we are so grateful.
“We are so glad to have this opportunity to inspire others by not doing anything special, just documenting our normal life and how we do things our way.”
