This 30-Year-Old Armless NASCAR Engineer's Story Will Inspire You
Richie Parker, 30, grew up with a chorus of doubters telling him what he couldn't do without hands - ride a bike, drive a car or find a good job. But Parker never listened, and today he drives his own car and is a respected engineer for NASCAR's most winning organization, Hendrick Motorsports.
By Sadho Ram — 25 Aug 2013, 04:14 AM — Updated about 11 years ago
WATCH: The unstoppable spirit of Richie Parker, an armless NASCAR engineer
READ: Richie Parker shows that with passion and determination anything is possible
Richie Parker’s entire life has been a refusal to accept the limitations of his condition. Born without arms, he has heard through his whole life that there were things he simply could not do.
carbuzz.com
Richie Parker, 30 was born with no hands but is now a vehicle engineer at NASCAR's most winning organization. Hendrick Motorsports.
Image via christianpost.comBut when he invariably decided that he would do those things anyway, he had to be innovative and determined in figuring out how it would be done. This and a longtime love of cars led naturally to a career as an engineer.
christianpost.com
"I don't listen too much to people when they tell me I can't do something. There's not a whole lot that's gonna stand in my way," says the man who takes pleasure in solving engineering challenges.
In May 1983 when Richie Parker was born in Beaufort, S.C., doctors told his parents, Tracy and Lottie Parker, that their son had been born with a non-genetic birth defect called bilateral amelia that left him without arms.
christianpost.com
Eight years ago, Richie's drive and love for cars led him to apply for an internship at Hendrick Motorsports and a thoughtful decision by Hendrick engineering manager Rex Stump gave Richie the opportunity of a lifetime.
christianpost.com
Parker has now been at Hendrick for 8 years, through 5 championships, helping to keep them as the winningest team in NASCAR.
carbuzz.comRichie was born with bilateral amelia
He was born with bilateral amelia, a non-genetic birth defect in which limbs aren't formed. Having dealt with not having any arms since birth has lead Richie to develop a number of interesting solutions.
He can ride a bike, open the fridge and microwave on his own, use a computer and drive a car with his feet – virtually everything we can do Richie can do with a bit of determination and creativity.
christianpost.com
Richie analyzes data to make specs changes that maximize race car performance. He’s a high-level engineer who started as an intern. He does everything with his feet and face.
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