Girl with Wings: Dejana’s Inspiring Life in Art, Sport, and Online (SBS Serbian)

🌟 Dejana Backo: The Girl with Wings — A Story of Art, Sport & Resilience

Serbian artist and elite para-athlete Dejana Backo, widely known as “the Girl with Wings,” is redefining what’s possible for people born without arms. Her journey combines breathtaking foot‑painting masterpieces, competitive para‑taekwondo and archery achievements, and an inspiring online presence.

We spoke with Nina Marković for SBS Serbian. SBS stands for the Special Broadcasting Service — an Australian public broadcaster that produces multilingual and multicultural content. Original link: https://www.sbs.com.au/language/serbian/sr/podcast-episode/girl-with-wings-dejanas-inspiring-life-in-art-sport-and-online

🎨 A Passion That Took Flight

Dejana’s love for painting began almost 20 years ago. At just nine, she joined the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists of the World, and art has remained her greatest joy ever since. Despite facing skepticism when she was denied entry and graduation from a local painting academy—due to misconceptions about her abilities—Dejana proved critics wrong through her determination.

🥋 From Canvas to Podium

Dejana stepped into para‑taekwondo in 2016 and quickly became world champion in her division (K41 women’s -47 kg). Later, she transitioned to para-archery to pursue her dream of competing in the Paralympic Games, in a sport category that includes her classification.

🖼 A Moment Shared with Novak Djokovic

After winning her taekwondo title, tennis legend Novak Djokovic sent her congratulations. In return, Dejana gifted him a foot‑painting portrait she had created years earlier—featuring a butterfly landing on Djokovic’s arm at the Australian Open. It was a powerful symbol of tribute and connection

👶 A New Chapter: Motherhood & Advocacy

In February 2023, Dejana welcomed her first child. While she took a break from sports—including missing the Paris 2024 Paralympics—she remained active online. On Instagram, she shares everything from adaptive beauty tips (like putting on eyeliner with her foot) to stories about fighting discrimination and advocating for neurodiversity. Her message: knowing your worth and focusing on the positive helps you overcome obstacles.

🌐 Painting a Message to the World

Dejana’s art is rooted in purpose: it’s not just about creating beautiful images, but about inspiring change. She continues to exhibit across Europe—already sharing work in Slovenia—and plans more shows in 2023 and beyond.

🔗 Why Her Story Matters

Dejana Backo’s journey is a powerful reminder that limitations exist only where we let them. She blends artistry, athleticism, and advocacy to show that:

• Passion and skill can reshape expectation

• Representation matters in both sports and art

• Resilience and self-belief turn hardship into purpose