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One-handed Ill. firefighter defies odds

Firefighter Anthony Smith, who was born without his right hand, joined the department nearly 11 years ago; the chief said he can do anything that everyone else can do and better

KFVS12.com

ALEXANDER COUNTY, Ill. — Anthony Smith learned early on, challenges come in all forms.

He was born without his right hand. “The cord got wrapped around my wrist whenever I was in my mom’s stomach,” Smith said. “And it ended up cutting my hand off.” In the past, people have wondered if Smith was capable of completing certain tasks, like when he joined the Horseshoe Lake Fire Department nearly 11 years ago.

“Whenever I got on here, some of the guys were like ‘I don’t know, he may not be able to do some of the things,’” Smith said. Fire Chief Michael Honey vaguely remembers the first fire the two fought together. However, he distinctly recalls watching Smith work.

Full story: Determination: One-handed firefighter defies odds