Kanya Sesser, who was born without legs and left on the side of the road by her parents, was discovered by a passerby near a Buddhist temple school in Thailand. She was then taken to the hospital and later adopted by an American family after living in the hospital for five years.
In her hometown of Portland, Oregon, 31-year-old Kanya Sesser has achieved a world record for the longest handstand on a skateboard, officially clocking in at 19.65 seconds. This extraordinary accomplishment, achieved in Los Angeles, will be highlighted in the 2025 edition of the Guinness World Records book. What makes this record unique is that it was set by an athlete who was born without legs.
Kanya, the record holder, shared, “No legs, no limits. I believe this will be a pivotal moment in my career. It’s amazing for me to create history that will inspire others. I have influenced others for future generations,” She was born in 1992 with a congenital absence of both legs and was discovered as a baby near a Buddhist temple school in Pak Chong, Thailand. Hearing her cries, a passing woman saved her life by taking her to the hospital. There, she was cared for by a nurse known as “Nurse May Chan” and the hospital staff until 1998.
At the age of five, Kanya was adopted by Jane and Dave, an American couple, who already had two older sons. The family brought Kanya to Portland, where she was raised just like any other child. Kanya remembers her childhood as being filled with challenges, including overcoming a language barrier and undergoing several surgeries to address webbed fingers.
Reflecting on her early years, Kanya describes herself as a “wild child” – outgoing and determined. She quickly made friends, enjoyed playing with kids in her neighborhood, and joined the cheerleading team during her freshman year of high school. It was also at this time that she entered the world of modeling.
Aside from her athletic pursuits, Kanya is deeply passionate about acting and aims to advance her career in this field. She has already appeared in music videos and taken on significant roles in films and TV series, such as the 2022 movie *Babylon* and the popular show *The Walking Dead*. Additionally, she has made guest appearances on the American action series *Hawaii Five-0*, portraying the character of surfer Rosie Valera.
Reflecting on her life, Kanya expressed to Guinness World Records the significance of being a role model for others. She emphasized, “Just know that you’re not the only one who feels insecure. Even those who seem perfect are not. No one is perfect, and we all have our insecurities.”