Life can be rough for those who look a little "different" from others in society. You would expect no one to know this better than Hirotada Ototake, who was born without arms or legs due to a genetic disorder called tetra-amelia syndrome. Surprisingly, however, the 38-year-old says he was fortunate to have never felt like he was severely disabled.
"Everyone is different, regardless of their disability," Ototake tells The Japan Times. "You can choose to dwell on your "difference" in a negative way or, alternatively, accept it and turn it into something positive. I have been able to turn my disability into something super-positive."
Ototake has an impressive resume behind him already, working in such positions as an author, sports journalist, actor, elementary school teacher and head of a nonprofit organization that works to clean the streets of Shinjuku Ward.