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Outlook: My Lego invention that silenced the bullies

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My Lego invention that silenced the bullies

03/10/2022 GMT

BBC World Service - Outlook, My Lego invention that silenced the bullies

Aged 17, David Aguilar built a record-breaking prosthetic that brought global recognition

Born without his right forearm, David Aguilar from Andorra suffered many cruel comments.  So, he built his own prosthetic arm - and gained worldwide appreciation.

David Aguilar from Andorra was born without the lower part of his right arm as a result of a rare condition called Poland syndrome. He would get cruel comments from children at school, so would escape to his room and spend hours playing with Lego. One day, aged just 9, he created an arm for himself using the bricks. He continued to experiment and by 17 he'd created the world's first fully-prosthetic Lego arm. His invention went viral on social media, set a new Guinness World Record, and gained him global support and recognition. David now studies bioengineering and has started building prosthetics for other children missing limbs. He and his father Ferran have written a book about his life so far called Piece by Piece. 

Guatemalan grandparents Favio "El Lobo" Vasquez and his wife Maria Moreno first met on the disco dance floor over 30 years ago. Despite being from rival dance groups they ended up falling in love and have been dancing together ever since. But after the death of their daughter, dance helped them in ways they could never have imagined. As they were raising their daughter's two young children and struggling to pay the bills, they decided to enter an online dance competition. They had to enter separately but Favio won and the video of him dancing went viral.  In October 2020, they told Outlook's Clayton Conn their story.

(Photo: David Aguilar, Credit: Getty Images)

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