At 20 years old, Inga Petri has overcome significant challenges since birth, being born without upper limbs and spending her early years in a Novosibirsk orphanage.
Her story takes a positive turn when she is adopted at the age of 2.5 by Daniel and Jennifer Petri from Pennsylvania. The couple is determined to provide Inga with a nurturing environment, aiming to foster her confidence and happiness.
Facing financial constraints, the Petri family couldn’t afford the expensive prosthetic hands that Inga would need, especially given the unique challenges presented by the location of her nerve endings only in the area of the collarbones and shoulders.
However, Inga defies expectations by adapting remarkably well without prostheses, using her feet for various tasks, including holding cutlery, playing the cello, typing on a computer, doing her own makeup, and even writing.
Despite the initial obstacle of not having prosthetic hands, Inga’s resourcefulness and resilience shine through. She reveals that even with the availability of prostheses now, she seldom uses them, finding it more natural and comfortable to navigate daily life with her feet.
In her current pursuits, Inga is on the path to becoming a certified lawyer, with a particular interest in human rights activities that she developed during her school days. Currently, she is completing her studies in Atlanta, demonstrating her determination to achieve her goals and contribute to societal well-being.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Inga’s openness to the world has allowed her to cultivate numerous friendships. Remarkably, she has also found love with a boyfriend who fully accepts and loves her for who she is. This support system, coupled with the love and encouragement from her adoptive parents, has played a crucial role in shaping Inga’s positive outlook on life.
While the Petri family considered the possibility of searching for Inga’s biological parents in the eastern part of Russia, Inga herself is not eager to pursue this path.
She firmly believes that her real family is in the United States, with the foster parents who raised her, instilled a sense of self-love in her, and ultimately contributed to her happiness. Inga’s journey serves as an inspiring testament to resilience, adaptability, and the transformative power of love and support in overcoming life’s challenges.
