Don’t believe everything doctors tell you. How the boy born with the upside-down head has defied doctors who told his mother to let him die

Resourceful Claudio Vieira de Oliveira, 37 knows more than a thing or two about overcoming adversity. Medics told his mother to let him starve to death after he was born with a rare condition of the joints that left him with severely deformed limbs ... and an upside-down head. But despite his physical limitations, Claudio, from Monte Santo, Brazil, has defied doctors' doubts to become an accountant and inspirational public speaker. 'Since I was a child I've always liked to keep myself busy and work - I don't like to depend totally on other people,' he said. 'I do a bit of accounting, research for clients and consulting. 'I have learned to turn on the TV, pick up my cell phone, turn on the radio, use the internet, my computer - I do it all by myself.'

Claudio with his mother(green top) and siblings

His mother beaming with pride and joy sums it up this way; but there's only happiness now. Claudio is just like any other person - that's how he was raised in this house. 'We never tried to fix him and always wanted him to do the normal things everyone else does. 'That's why he is so confident. He is not ashamed of walking around in the street - he sings and he dances.'

Claudio tells his audience that he doesn't see things upside 

At eight years old, Claudio, who had previously been carried everywhere, began to walk on his knees. Nothing has ever brought Claudio’s spirit down. : '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. 'I don't see things upside-down. This is one of the things I always talk about in my interventions as a public speaker. Very brave man indeed!