Limbless artist wants bionic arms to hug mum

By Tom Midlane @GoldenLatrine

A LIMBLESS man is close to getting the bionic arms that will enable him to hug his mum for the very first time

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Videographer / Director: Robert Nemeti

Producer: Chloe Browne, Tom Midlane

Editor: Sonia Estal

MOTHERLY LOVE: Szabolcs Kollinger and his adoptive mother Magdolna in their wheelchairs

Szabolcs Kollinger, from the village of Tahitotfalu near Budapest in Hungary, has Tetra-amelia syndrome.

INGENIOUS: Szabolcs uses his chin and shoulder to pour water into a glass at home

The 22-year-old was born in Dunapataj, in central Hungary, but was left in the hospital by his mother who felt unable to take care of him, ending up in a children's home.

At the age of three a Hungarian women’s magazine called Nők Lapja ran an article to find the right parents for the abandoned baby boy.

That led to him being adopted by step mum Magdolna Antalóczy - who also has no legs, and only one arm.

“I am pretty sure there are no coincidences in life. Everything is meant to be,” Szabolcs said.

MORE THAN ABLE: Despite his disabilities, Szabolcs is able to swim, play football and table tennis, go sledging, attending drawing classes and paint

SIBLINGS: Szabolcs is hugged by his little sister

“As far as I know, the article and the advert about me was read many times, there were lots of people trying to adopt me but the nurse who was taking care of me turned down most of them.

"There was one lady who also applied, and that was my stepmom. When she applied for the adoption program, she was 48 years old.

FATE: Szabolcs was adopted by Magdolna as a three-year-old after she saw an article in a popular women's magazine in Hungary

"She already had two kids and used to sell newspapers. She is very similar to me, has no legs and only one hand. She is the perfect mom for me."

Szabolcs went to a school for children with physical disabilities, where he learnt to write with his partially developed arms and his mouth, as well as how to eat and drink without assistance.

FUNDRAISING: Szabolcs has now turned to crowd funding in a bid to purchase two bionic limbs to enable him to hug his mother

The list of tasks that Szabolcs is able to accomplish despite his limblessness include swimming, playing football and table tennis, sledging, attending drawing classes and painting.

BORN SLIPPY: Szabolcs in his wheelchair as a child

He said: “I can swim, I can play football, I even play some table tennis with my cousin.

"Having said that, I can only do some parts of getting dressed - but I can put on a shirt or even a pullover without help."

HAPPY DAYS: Szabolcs Kollinger at the beach with his adoptive mother

WILL TO SUCCEED: A young Szabolcs at a climbing wall

Szabolcs is also a keen vlogger and uploads new videos to YouTube every week, in which he shares new stories and experiences with his followers.

His videos have been watched thousands of times, and he is quickly building up a devoted fan base.

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE SON: Szabolcs his his adoptive mother Magdolna, who also has no legs - and only one arm

He now wants to fulfil his dreams of greater independence and recently read an article about a Leeds-based company, Be-Bionic, that is producing bionic arms.

The arms cost around £35,000 each, but the National Health Insurance Trust of Hungary has agreed to cover 80% of the costs, leaving Szabolcs with a £7,000 price tag per arm.

GIDDYUP: Szabolcs on a horse as a young boy

The Hungarian has been offered the full amount from a number of health bodies, but has refused the money, instead starting an online crowdfunding campaign to fund the prostheses.

“I’ve decided not to take the full amount from several trusts, only because I want my friends to help me," Szabolcs added.

"I am blogging every day and in return I want to share all my stories with the people who help me."