An Inspiration

Romanian orphan with no arms defies odds to win place at Oxford University | Mail Online

A Romanian orphan born with no arms was celebrating today after landing a place at Oxford University.

Big-hearted British couple Ken and Doreen Munn adopted Cornel Hrisca-Munn now 18, in 1992 after his real parents were killed in Romania.

Cornel was born without any lower-arms and could not perform simple tasks like eating and washing.
Cornel Hrisca-Munn

Determined: Cornel Hrisca-Munn, 18, a Romanian orphan who was born without his lower arms, has won a place in Kebel College, Oxford to study his favourite subjects - philosophy and theology

But incredibly, music-mad Cornel overcame a 'mountain of struggles' to come second in a national drumming competition in 2007.

He has now landed a place studying Theology and Philosophy at Keble College, Oxford, in September.

Delighted mum Doreen, 67, said she was 'thrilled to bits' after raising Cornel at their family home in Whittington, Worcester.

Doreen said: 'For Cornel to get into Oxford is such an achievement. I'm so proud of him.

'To come from Romania and overcome the mountain of struggles he's been through, this is just fantastic.'

The 18-year-old received a Pride of Britain award in 2004 for his charity work and later established The Cornel Trust in 2005 which helps other limbless Romanian children