Matt Stutzman American archer without both arms Date of Birth: 10.12.1982 Country: USA

1. Matt Stutzman: The Inspirational Archer Without Arms
2. Early Life and Adoption
3. Making the Most of His Feet
4. Overcoming Challenges
5. Achieving Success in Archery
6. Paralympic Career and Family Life

Matt Stutzman: The Inspirational Archer Without Arms

Matt Stutzman is an American archer, a member of the Paralympic team, and a holder of several records in archery. What makes Matt's achievements even more incredible is that he shoots a bow without the use of his arms - he was born without them. He loads his bow, aims, and releases arrows solely using his feet.

Early Life and Adoption

Matt Stutzman was born in 1982 in Kansas City, Kansas, without arms. His biological parents struggled to accept their baby's condition and made the difficult decision to put him up for adoption at the age of four months. In January 1983, Matt was adopted by the Stutzman family from Kalona, Iowa. He found loving parents who supported his independence and never let his disability define him.

Making the Most of His Feet

From a young age, Matt adapted to using his feet as his hands. He learned to eat, write, and draw using his feet. His new parents encouraged his independence and did not smother him with overprotectiveness. Matt actively participated in farm work and quickly learned the value of hard work and determination.

Overcoming Challenges

Despite his physical limitations, Matt constantly sought new challenges. He learned to ride a bike at the age of nine and was inspired by the example of Tony Melendez, a renowned armless guitarist. Matt's parents arranged a meeting between the two, and Tony showed Matt how to skillfully play the guitar using his feet. Through such experiences, Matt discovered that not having arms was not the end of the world.

Achieving Success in Archery

Matt faced numerous obstacles when it came to obtaining his driver's license. Despite being able to drive using his feet, it took him two years of persistence to finally obtain his license. In his free time, Matt developed a passion for shooting guns, using his feet to aim and fire. He also became interested in archery and bought a bow from a local hunting store. Through online videos and practice, Matt learned the techniques of archery and became incredibly accurate.

Paralympic Career and Family Life

Today, Matt is a member of the Paralympic archery team and has won a silver medal at the Paralympics in London. Besides his archery accomplishments, Matt lives a normal life as a farmer in Iowa. He is married and a proud father of three sons. Matt can do any task, from fixing cars to changing diapers, and he prefers not to dwell on his disability. He enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, and boating, but above all, he cherishes spending time with his family. Matt believes that happiness does not depend on having arms or legs, and he is grateful for the life he has.