Background
She was born without arms, and uses her feet to draw, write and perform all other daily activities.
She was born without arms, and uses her feet to draw, write and perform all other daily activities.
University of Western Ontario.
Attempts were made to fit Simona with prosthetic arms at an early age, but she very quickly rejected them. She has said that she found the prosthetics extremely heavy and impractical, and it was much easier to use her feet to perform tasks. She started painting at the age of 4 and her talent was soon noticed by artist Mario Barzon, who encouraged and supported her.
In 1983 she was awarded a scholarship from the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists of the World.
A defining moment in her early career was an audience with Pope John Paul II, at which she presented him with a portrait of himself. Simona also started to dance at the age of 6.
In 1996 she commenced her studies at the University of Western Ontario in Canada. Her course in Visual Arts enabled her to combine the two passions of her life, and she graduated with honors in 2001.
Later Simona became associated with the Pescara Dance Festival, and has endowed this event with the Atzori Award, given to dancers and choreographers.
She continues to perform and exhibit her work all over the world. On March 10, 2006, Simona performed a dance routine during the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games in Turin.