Alisson Lapper’s life began with a unique challenge that would shape her destiny – she was born without arms and with shorter legs than usual. Abandoned by her parents when she was just four months old, Alisson’s early days were marked by uncertainty and solitude. Her father remained a mystery, as her parents had separated when she was very young. She also had an older sister, who, due to her own disabilities, remained distant and almost unknown to Alisson.
Growing up without arms and with legs that required special care and attention, Alisson spent her childhood in a specialized school, surrounded by peers who shared her physical condition. “We were several children without limbs, a result of the thalidomide wave. Balancing was difficult for us, and simple tasks like sitting without toppling over were a constant challenge. So, they placed us on plaster plinths to help us find our balance. We were show kids,” Alisson recalls with a smile.
From a very young age, Alisson underwent attempts to implant artificial arms and legs, but she found them cumbersome and uncomfortable. “With those devices, I felt even clumsier. As soon as I learned to speak, I asked for them to be removed from me. People often abused their power over me. These extensions weren’t put on me so much for my benefit as for theirs,” she explains.
It wasn’t until Alisson turned 12 that she fully comprehended her disability. “Until then, I was too busy being a child,” she reflects. However, she never gave up on life’s possibilities. At the age of 19, she embarked on a solo journey to London to pursue a degree in Fine Arts, ultimately becoming a renowned painter. She began her journey in art at the age of three, using her mouth to create delicate strokes on canvas, much like the dashboard dogs seen in cars.
Her unique style of painting gained recognition, and Alisson was honored with England’s highest decoration, the Member of the British Empire (MBE), for her contributions to art. “I don’t know the exact reason for receiving this honor. I also don’t know who nominated me. The vote is anonymous. I want to believe that only my artistic work was judged, not my deformity,” she says.
At the age of 33, Alisson faced another daunting challenge when she became pregnant. Like her parents before her, her boyfriend abandoned her. However, Alisson chose to move forward despite her doubts and fears that her child might inherit her condition. She gave birth to a beautiful baby boy and raised him with unwavering love and care as a single mother.
Alisson Lapper’s life journey serves as an inspirational testament to the human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity and achieve greatness against all odds. Her story reminds us that our true strength lies within us, no matter the challenges we face.
