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Brian Gault was born without arms. He is one of the 470 survivors of the “miracle drug”, Thalidomide’s exposure to the British market in the mid-twentieth century. But instead of being angry, this courageous man has turned his set-back to a vibrant witness to the power of God’s grace as he has struggled to prove himself normal in an abnormal world. He has released a book in the UK that he co-authored with Helena Rogers called “Look, No Hands!” (Hodder and Stoughton). In a forward to the book, Joni Eareckson Tada, herself a quadriplegic, wrote, “Like me, you will think, If this gentleman can, by the grace of God, overcome his limitations, I can too.”

In an interview, in which he typed his answers to my questions with his toe on his laptop computer from his home in the Isle of Man, Brian explained, “I was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on the 23rd September 1961. My parents, William and Isobel lived on a smallholding in a farming community 15 miles north of Belfast, in the beautiful County Antrim. I have an older stepbrother, Derek, my brother, Alan, then aged five, and sister Patricia who was aged two when I was born. Then a few years later my younger sister Gwen was an addition to the family.”

Brian described what happened, “During the first month of my Mum’s pregnancy, she was prescribed two tablets by our doctor to assist in alleviating ‘morning sickness’. Back in the early 1960’s, Thalidomide was hailed as ‘a wonder drug’ being completely safe even for pregnant women. There are about 470 surviving Thalidomide’s in the British Isles today, with approximately 10,000 throughout the rest of the world.” He went on, “My mother knew that something was not quite right. Then, the doctor who delivered me, shared with my mother that her third child, was born without both arms. Her response was complete numbness and shock for several days. Thankfully, a cousin, who was also a doctor heard, and shared with my mother that there had been other babies born in recent months without limbs, like her Brian. This was just sufficient comfort to help mum cope, and gradually realize it wasn’t her fault.”

Brian went on: “At the age of two-and-half, I was sent to Edinburgh, in Scotland to be fitted with artificial-arms. Up until this time, I was doing everything with my toes, using them just like fingers. I was able to eat, write, draw and play with my toes. This is when it truly hit-me between the eyes that I was different! Yet, as a very young child, I kept asking myself why I needed these heavy, cumbersome metal contraptions on my wee shoulders?

“Living in a farming community as a little boy, my first school had only 26 pupils and one teacher. Whereas, the other children had a desk and chair, I sat on the floor on a piece of carpet, painting and drawing with my toes. The teacher recalls how amazed she was at how I peeled an orange with my toes.

It was decided that I needed much more specialized support than the little country school could give.

“My mother and father went up to Fleming Fulton School in Belfast, they heard a talk from a Mr. Wilkie from the USA who had no arms, ‘Just like our Brian’.

Well, Mum and Dad were totally amazed at how full and active a life he had, with a wife and family. He took dollar notes out off his wallet with his toes, and drove a motorcar. It was such a confidence booster to my parents, and everyone who met Mr. Wilkie that day.”

The Gaunt family eventually moved to the Isle of Man to live, an island in the Irish Sea with a population of about 75,000. “I was eight at the time, and other children there had never met someone without arms,” Brian said. “For 38 years, I’ve been telling people ‘My feet are my hands, except when I’m walking on them’. Throughout my childhood at school, I was given many challenges to overcome using my toes. I learnt to swim at seven years old, play many other sports, horse-riding, table-tennis, plus practical domestic chores like dressing and undressing and using light-switches, all with my toes.

“I was never allowed to say the word ‘CAN’T’ but rather ‘TRY! TRY! TRY!’ I’ve never been able to wash my hair, or tuck-in my shirt, but this was minor in contrast to everything else.”

Brian said he hated those artificial arms. “The artificial-arms were strapped to my chest and as I moved pressure-pads on my shoulders, the arms moved up and down,” said Brian. “As I expanded my chest-muscles, the hooks would open and close. Oxygen gas cylinders powered the arms. I had to go to Edinburgh every four/six months for new substitute arms.”

“The reality was I’d do anything not to have the arms on. Throughout my childhood years, the artificial arms were actually ‘draining away’ my confidence instead of, as the professors extolled they would build me up. After having ‘arms’ for 11 years, I’d had enough, and thankfully the teachers at school had come to the same conclusion regarding the metal contraptions.”

“An okay person without arms Brian said that as he grew into a teenager, he would get angry at his artificial arms. “I took much of my anger and frustration out through my temper tantrums with my metal arms. It was not so much not having real arms like other teenagers, but convincing others that ‘I’m an OK person without arms.’

Brian said that after leaving school, he went to college, and then began searching for a job. “After many, many rejections, I was eventually given a three months trial period with the Isle of Man Government, working at the harbour office,” he recalled. “My job entailed doing ledger bookkeeping, compiling reports for the various harbours on the Isle of Man. Amazingly, my workmates were so supportive, and actually encouraged me to slow down a bit!”

Brian said that he did have a religious background in his life. “As a wee lad, I’d be sent off to Sunday School, literally two minutes from our home,” he said. “We would sing choruses and learn stories about Jesus and his friends. I must be honest, and say that I found church very boring. It was only after a good friend called Alan Wilson became a Christian, that I saw such a difference in him. During my thirteenth year as well as getting rid of my artificial arms (physical burden), later that same year I got rid of the (spiritual burden) of sin, when I realized that Jesus died for me, had forgiven/accepted me as I am without arms. I had an overwhelming sense of peace, and a new longing to be with other Christians for encouragement.”

“After leaving school I headed off to college,” and this was a period for six years when I drifted away from my Christian faith. I learnt to drive a motorcar, got new friends and, with the pressure of studies, sadly Christian fellowship went further down the list. But God never lets go of us. Because just after the Easter of 1984, aged 23, I repented of my sins, and asked the Lord that I may have the boldness and courage like that of Caleb, who “wholeheartedly served the Lord. I started going along to Broadway Baptist Church, in Douglas. The church family has been fabulous, accepting, loving and supporting me in my spiritual journey.

“On the 1st July 1984 I took the step of “believers’ baptism.” I was extremely nervous at the front sharing my renewed faith in Christ Jesus - yet God’s presence surrounded me with such a joy and peace as I obeyed him in sharing of my vows of allegiance to Him.

“After my baptism, I longed to be involved in everything within the church fellowship. David Gordon and the rest of the church leadership were not surprised when I felt God’s challenged to leave my job at the harbour after seven years, and go to Bible College and so I signed up for Capernwray Bible College in the Lake District of England. My greatest fears were the reactions of my family, leaving a good secure job. Personally, doubts crept in like, who will tuck-in your shirt, wash your hair, writing your essays, take lecture notes etc. Several special Christian friends reassured me to take each step with God, and He would provide. It’s True! ‘He will provide immeasurably more than we imagine’. Five girls offered on a rota to do my laundry, and some of the boys to wash my hair, and tuck-in my shirts each morning.” Brian later went on to Moorlands Bible College.

“Not a biological accident”
“At last I could thank God for creating me the way I am,” said Brian. “I became convinced that I am not a biological accident with a meaningless existence, but that in His wisdom, God loved me and planned that I should exist. He gave me a life that is both responsible and meaningful, and His plans for me are utterly good. I thanked Him for the richness of life I enjoy, and asked Him to forgive my doubts. I wondered and praised that although God is so great and I am so insignificant among his creatures, He has endowed me with value and worth in His kingdom.

“Both Capernwray and Moorlands became invaluable, inasmuch as they gave me a good and firm foundation in Christian teaching, studying, interaction with the various communities, laughter and tears in the friendships made, plus very special times to enjoy God. Among Brian’s closest friends is Rick Wakeman, the legendary keyboardist who played with the British super group YES, for many years, and his wife, Nina Carter Wakeman, an actress and model. Rick Wakeman said, “Brian Gault is one of the most remarkable men that I have ever met. He is a Christian and many people just can’t fathom out why. Here is a man born without any arms, and given a particularly difficult childhood because of it, and many people say, should therefore hate God for what he has allowed to happen to Brian. “Everyone except Brian that is. Brian sees what has happened almost as a gift and is using it accordingly. He is credit to the human race.” “Rick and Nina’s vast experience and knowledge plus their wisdom, support, encouragement and love have been immense,” said Brian, “especially with finding a publishing house. Rick is used to me ‘bending his ear’ for his thoughts and advice as I seek new doors of serving the Lord.”

He then explained he met Joni Eareckson Tada? “I met Joni for the first time in 1992 at a conference in Holland, with its purpose to raise the awareness of disability within the Christian church,” said Brian. “Joni testified to the Scriptural truth that when we are available for Him in all our weaknesses and vulnerability, He is able to give us sufficient grace and strength for every task.”

He said he received the motivation to write the book after he saw a television documentary regarding Thalidomide being used to help people suffering with leprosy in Brazil. He said that all royalties from the sales of “Look, No Hands!” are going into a charitable trust to aid these children in Brazil.

Brian said that since 1992, he has been working full-time as a church worker within the community in Douglas, Isle of Man. “Also, during this period, I’ve been a voluntary field worker on behalf of ‘Through the Roof’, the disability outreach of Joni and Friends in the UK.”

He went on, “Since the publication of ‘Look, No Hands’, God has continually challenged me regarding the passions he has placed on my heart. I’m actually relinquishing my position within Broadway Baptist Church after eight blessed years, and standing down from being a volunteer field worker for ‘Through the Roof’. It’s an exciting step of faith, moving forward with Him, to serve the ‘wider church family.’” Brian has already travelled widely in South Korea, Holland and Belgium as well as throughout the United Kingdom. I then asked Brian what his message was to physically challenged people around the world. “Fully grasp your potential in Christ Jesus,” he said. “Each of us is of immense value and worth to our Heavenly Father. “Personally, I believe that God will use my disability to help others come to faith in the God who never make mistakes or is surprised. He allowed me to be born without arms for a purpose, and I trust He will use me to take His love to those whom He has created to be ‘different’. For 38 years I’ve had no arms, and known no other way. My desires in the public arena are that people see something of Jesus’ character in an imperfect body. Yet, in the sight of my Lord, I know I’m whole. Still a sinner, saved by grace.”

Now Brian has fallen in love with May, and they were married in August. “May was transferred from Belfast to work in a bank here on the Isle of Man about three years ago,” he explained. “May started coming along to worship at our church. In my church role, I’d give pastoral support. It was only when May moved back to Northern Ireland, only a dozen miles from were I was born in Ballyclare that our relationship blossomed. He concluded by giving his favourite Bible verse, which is: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20). Brian Gault is certainly a real treasure to the Body of Christ. He may not have arms, but he has a heart for God that should inspire us all.