16-Year-Old Girl Born Without Arms Proves She Can Do Anything She Puts Her Mind To
January 29, 2019

16-year-old Donavia Walker is a true inspiration. She may have been born with no arms because of a rare condition. As a result, many folks didn't expect much from Donavia. But this armless girl isn't letting that, or anything else, stand in her way!
Nicknamed Angel by her grandmother, Donavia can do just about anything the average teenager can do. She just does it all without arms. And this inspiring young lady has even become an outstanding army cadet in the JROTC. Check out her real-life overcomer story below!
A rare disorder affecting limbs called Bilateral Amelia caused Donavia to be born without arms. And it came as quite a shock to her mother, Tisa Jones.
“It was kind of scary,” Tisa recalled. “When Donavia was born I saw these different nurses and doctors, they just ran in the room."
Tisa had no idea what was going on.
RELATED: The Unbelievable True Story of Kyle Maynard: No Hands, No Feet, No Excuses
“I’m asking my mom and my aunt, ‘What’s wrong with her?’ and then I looked over at them and they are crying," Tisa said.
Doctors told the frightened mother to relax. But naturally, she couldn't without knowing her baby girl was okay.
“I took a glance over and I saw one of her arms were missing," Tisa said.
But it wasn't just one arm. Doctors revealed that she'd given birth to an armless girl.
Her daughter's condition came as a shock to Tisa. At no point during the pregnancy had anyone alerted her that her baby wasn't forming arms.
“I felt betrayed like nobody told me nothing,” she explained. “I’m feeling like the person who did the ultrasound should have known.”
But of course, arms or no arms, Tisa loved her baby girl like crazy!
"At that point, I didn’t care. I just wanted my baby so I could go home," she said.
Armless Girl Overcomes All Odds
It didn't take long for Tisa Jones to realize her daughter was different. Not because she didn't have arms. It was Donavia's drive that truly set her apart from your typical baby.
Donavia began developing her own techniques for navigating this world almost right away. Instead of crawling, she scooted around on her bottom. And as she continued to grow, Donavia kept figuring out how to use her feet to do everything people with hands do.
“I noticed she would grab stuff with her foot so I’m like, I’m just gonna let her do it her way," Tisa said. “She taught herself to draw, she actually can tie other people's shoes, she feeds herself, she takes herself to the bathroom, she does everything in the bathroom herself, I’m still trying to figure out how but she does it.”
WATCH: Armless Girl Won't Let Anything Hold Her Back
Donavia's family knows she can do anything she puts her mind to. But all too often, the world underestimates this armless girl.
“People would put me down because they didn't think I could do as much as I can," Donavia says.
But every time Donavia hears the words "you can't," she finds a way to prove them wrong!
"I was like, ‘I can get it with my feet. I will find a way,’” she says.
Girl With No Arms Becomes U.S. Army Junior ROTC Cadet
Now at 16, Donavia Walker continues to amaze and inspire all she meets. She's found ways to do everything the average teenager does, from driving to texting (never at the same time, of course)!
Donavia played football at school for three years and even joined the cheerleading squad. But with her incredible drive, one of her greatest accomplishments has been becoming a squad commander in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC).
RELATED: 17 True Inspirational Stories of Real-Life Overcomers
"I remember the first day she walked through the door," Donavia's instructor, Sergeant Major Rudy Carter, US Army retired, said. "I had high hopes for her and she hasn’t disappointed."
You can't help but feel inspired watching this armless girl excel at anything and everything.
“Every day that I see her walk through my classroom is a day that I realize that when I get up in the morning there is nothing that should limit me or nothing should hold me back," Sergeant Major Rudy Carter explains. “It’s people like Angel that make my job worth getting up for in the morning, make me want to get up and do the best that I can.”
Donavia's fellow JROTC cadets feel the same way.
As for Donavia, while she's glad to inspire others, she's just being herself.
“I would say to anyone with a physical condition that you should love yourself and find people who make you feel comfortable with yourself," she said. “There’s no reason you shouldn't love yourself.”
What a blessing and inspiration Donavia is to this world!
h/t: Barcroft TV
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Nick Vujicic Shares Testimony Of Trying To Take His Own Life At 10 in 6 Inches of Water
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for the “Basket” Season of an Adult Child - Your Daily Prayer - September 5
Jochebed, the mother of Moses, was forced to leave a baby she could not keep safe.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for the “Basket” Season of an Adult Child - Your Daily Prayer - September 5
Jochebed, the mother of Moses, was forced to leave a baby she could not keep safe.
Past Stories
- Garbage Truck Driver Finds Dog in His Truck and Gives Him a Second Chance
- Lost Wallet Filled With Cash Finds Its Way Home Thanks to Honest Stranger
- Christian Music Playlist for Deep Focus While Working or Studying
- Abandoned at a Train Station as a Baby, Woman Finally Finds Family at 76
- 97-Year-Old Woman Proves ‘Can’t’ Isn’t in Her Vocabulary With Record-Breaking Wing Walk
- A Caregiver’s Worship Playlist for Strength, Rest, and Hope
- In the Shadow of 9/11, Two Strangers Found Comfort, Healing, and Love
- Beyond "Give Thanks": A Thanksgiving Worship Playlist
- Bride’s Hospital Wedding Becomes a Moment of Love Before Brain Surgery
- Long-Lost Son Meets Father and Dozens of Relatives in Emotional Family Reunion
- What God Taught Me From Being In My First Movie
- Eight Years After a Special Delivery, Nurse and Child Share Beautiful Reunion
- First Responder Couple Finds Hope After Wife Donates Kidney to Save Her Husband
- Bride’s Love Story Began With the Organ Donor Who Saved Her Life
- Neighbors Create Special Halloween Celebration for Boy With Autism’s Birthday
- A Decade After Wedding Ring Vanished in Lake, Young Niece Spots It Shimmering
- Montana Teen Says God Put Him in the Right Place to Save Drowning Man With His Lasso
- City Employee Spots Abandoned Baby in the Street and Rushes to Save Their Life
- Couple’s Family Grows to 37 Kids in a Story Full of Love, Faith and Purpose
- 160-Year-Old Home Inspires New Owner to Trace Generations of Family Stories
- Children Raise Money One Cup at a Time to Buy Bikes for Their New Friends
- Waiting Well: A Christian Music Playlist for Trusting God’s Timing
- A Simple Train Ride Leads to a Life-Changing Act of Kindness Between Strangers
- 9 Worship Songs for Anxiety When Your Thoughts Won’t Slow Down
- Families 3,000 Miles Apart Learn Their Adopted Children Are Identical Twins
- 64-Year-Old Navy Veteran Receives $174K in Support, 'God Works in Mysterious Ways'
- More Than 200 Campers Saved After Army Black Hawks Airlift Them From Missouri Floods
- Hero Kids Save Wounded Dog Who Went Missing After Terrifying Car Crash
- When Worship Feels Hard: 7 Christian Songs for Spiritual Dryness
- Grandson Honors Grandparents’ Nearly 60-Year Marriage with Surprise Church Vow Renewal
- Golden Retriever Becomes a Loving Caregiver after Wife’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
- When Someone Said I Was “Too Famous” to Date
- I Wish I Knew This Before I Started Dating
- Granddaughter Honors Late Grandmother by Wearing Her Wedding Dress Just as It Was
- Man Thrown 8 Feet Into the Air by Bison at Yellowstone Lives to Share His Story
- Top 10 Uplifting Stories That Inspired Us This Summer
- A 4-Year-Old Boy Planted Seed of Kindness and Brought His Neighborhood Together
- Two-Time Cancer Survivors Who Met as Teens Find Lasting Love Together
- Hospital Unit Filled With Joy as 17 Labor and Delivery Nurses Are Expecting Babies
- Married for 80 Years, This Couple Still Shares the Sweetest Breakfast Tradition
- Father Gave Up His Dream Car for His Family, Then His Son Pulled Off the Ultimate Surprise
- Teenage Lifeguard Saves Child From Dangerous Waves in Dramatic Beach Rescue
- Couple Who Always Helps Everyone Around Them is Honored in A Beautiful Way
- The Christian Trend Everyone's Fighting About
- Gold Star Moms Honor Sons by Remembering Fallen Service Members Across Europe
- Retired Army Soldier Reunites With the Military Dog Who Once Served by Her Side
- A Curious Bear Climbs Into a Colorado Man's Truck and Makes Itself at Home
- William Shatner and Daughter Melanie Share How They Supported Each Other Through Cancer
- Firefighter Was Off-Duty, But He Didn’t Hesitate When Kids Were Trapped Under a Boat
- Dad Is Recovering After Brave Rescue Saves Daughter From Oncoming Truck
Top Music Videos

We The Kingdom We The Kingdom Inspire and Uplift with ‘Don’t Let The Darkness’

Bill and Gloria Gaither Wintley Phipps - It Is Well With My Soul (From Bill Gloria Gaither Live)

Bryan and Katie Torwalt Lyric Video Bryan and Katie Torwalt 'My Refuge'

Anne Wilson Anne Wilson - Who I Am To You

Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin - Holy Forever
Blog
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.









