Man born with one arm excels at video games and piano using his arm and foot

By Brelaun Douglas via SWNS

This talented man has learned how to excel at fast-paced video games and play the piano using just one arm - his foot and mouth.

IT worker Victor McConnell was born with only one arm in Russia and adopted, aged two, by a couple in California along with his two siblings.

He was never invited to play video games as a child with his friends because of his missing limb.

But once his family got their own gaming console he was able to learn how to play using a foot and his mouth.

He said: “I always used my feet or mouth as a second hand and when it came to video games it was just an obvious thing to try and it was clear that it was something I could become skilled at."

Once he got the hang of the controls Victor strived to be amazing at gaming.

Victor said: “I didn’t want it to be ‘oh you can’t play because you have one arm'. I wanted it to be ‘oh you’re so good you can play with only one arm'."

He also taught himself how to play the piano.

He said: “Music became an escape and a way to externalize emotion. It didn't matter whether or not I had one hand because piano isn't about what notes you can play. It's how you play them."

Victor is so skilled at using his feet for gaming and music that he doesn’t even find it uncomfortable.

“The worst that will happen is when I use a controller my legs will fall asleep, but I’ve never had my feet or toes cramp before,” he said.

Victor says that living with one arm can be a struggle but he’s learned to adapt to almost any situation.

“I’m not limited in most daily tasks and I know I can perform at the same level as my peers. I just get there differently,” he said.

“There are times though that are a reality check because somethings will take a lot more effort to achieve the same results and those times are challenging.”

But he refuses to let his condition define what he can do.

“I don't like the idea I'm just some guy with one arm because people will stare at me and in their head they’re just thinking about the things I can’t do,” he said.

“It’s one of the things that motivates me because I want to prove those misconceptions wrong."

In the future Victor wants to be a part of the game developing process and help make gaming more accessible.