The boy with no limbs: 11-year-old born without arms and legs learned to play computer games with his CHIN

  • Tiyo Satrio, 11, has taught himself to write by holding a pen in his mouth
  • The little boy from Indonesia relies on others to carry him around places 
  • Now a regular attender at school after dropping out after insecurity issues
  • Family used to get state funding for him but say they no longer receive it

Stephen Matthews For Mailonline

1

View
comments

Born without arms and legs, an 11-year-old boy could be forgiven for having little to smile about.

But instead, Tiyo Satrio has learned to keep himself happy by playing games on his Playstation as he uses his chin to operate the control pad.

The gaming addict from West Java, Indonesia, plays at every possible opportunity and proves himself to be more than a match for his friends. 

Tiyo Satrio, 11, from Indonesia is a class favourite thanks to his upbeat nature regarding his condition

Tiyo Satrio, 11, from Indonesia is a class favourite thanks to his upbeat nature regarding his condition

His mother Mimi said: ‘After taking a bath he plays until the teacher picks him up. After school he plays again. Every day he plays.’

Holding a pen in his mouth, he has even learnt to write – and manages to keep up with his fellow classmates academically.

The principal of his special needs school said despite him only being in the second grade, he is capable of solving fourth grade mathematics problems such as multiplication and division.

However, it wasn’t always like this as the little boy initially struggled with insecurity issues – often not going because of his low self-confidence and physical disabilities.

Now a regular attendee, Tiyo relies on others to carry him around or push him about in his wheelchair.

But his upbeat nature and infectious laugh make him a class favourite among both pupils and teachers. 

Throughout her pregnancy, his mother was unaware of her son’s condition.

And even after he was born, she wasn’t told straight away that her newborn child had no arms or legs.

She said: ‘The midwife said everything was normal. She said, he’s good, normal, healthy.

‘I gave birth in the middle of the night and was told the next afternoon.’

Although shocked on first learning the news, Mimi quickly adjusted to her son’s condition – and it’s this acceptance that has contributed to Tiyo’s outgoing personality.

She added: ‘I was surprised. I thought he would be normal like my other children then I have the youngest in that condition.

‘Now I feel fine, just normal about it and accepting.’

Holding a pen in his mouth, Tiyo is able to write and keep up with fellow classmates at his small special needs school, where he excels at maths and religious studies

Holding a pen in his mouth, Tiyo is able to write and keep up with fellow classmates at his small special needs school, where he excels at maths and religious studies

The little boy often failed to turn up to school after struggling with insecurity issues and his physical disability

The little boy often failed to turn up to school after struggling with insecurity issues and his physical disability

Now a regular attendee, he relies on other teachers and classmates to carry him or push him in his wheelchair

Now a regular attendee, he relies on other teachers and classmates to carry him or push him in his wheelchair

The Playstation addict plays every spare moment he can, using his chin to operate the control pad where he proves to be more than a match for his friends

The Playstation addict plays every spare moment he can, using his chin to operate the control pad where he proves to be more than a match for his friends

Along with husband Wawan, she says looking after Tiyo is a full-time job. 

The couple have four other adult children who live across Indonesia and therefore aren’t able to help with the daily care needs.

Tiyo is able to do some things himself, but his lack of mobility means they still need to help him do everything from getting washed and dressed to feeding – although he has learnt how to unwrap sweet wrappers with his mouth.

The family used to receive state funding for Tiyo but claim they no longer receive financial support. 

Mr Satrio said: ‘Taking care of Tiyo everyday, we can’t go anywhere. If we work we can’t take care of Tiyo.’

Tiyo’s school SLB Firdaus has taken away some of the daily burden.

Every morning he is picked up by motorbike and taken to his small special needs school, where he excels at maths and religious studies. 

Comments (1)

Share what you think

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Find out now