I was born without thumbs — but people are amazed at what I can do without them
“If I would wake up tomorrow with thumbs, I’m not keeping them,” declared Aalbers. Jam Press/@qiaodi.aalbers
Qiao Aalbers, 26, is turning heads — and changing perspectives — with his viral videos showcasing everyday feats without one key set of tools: thumbs.
Born without thumbs, Aalbers has built a growing online following by proving that his so-called “disability” hasn’t held him back in the slightest. In fact, he embraces it.
“I’m the living example that thumbs are optional,” Aalbers told Jam Press. In one viral TikTok clip — now boasting over 6.7 million views — the upbeat English tutor jokes that he can do anything… “except hitchhike.”
Originally from China and adopted to the Netherlands as a baby, Aalbers says he struggled early on with feeling different. Growing up, the absence of thumbs left him self-conscious, especially in a culture that didn’t quite feel like home. But years of travel across Europe helped him gain perspective — and confidence.
Today, he’s flipped the narrative, turning what was once a source of insecurity into a source of pride. “Fingers are so pretty, God decided to keep two for himself,” he jokes in one video.
Unlike others with similar conditions, Aalbers doesn’t use prosthetics or special tools. His videos show him accomplishing everyday tasks — like opening bottles or spinning a vase — with surprising ease using just eight fingers. He even pulls off stunts his ten-fingered peers can’t, like fitting his entire hand into a Pringles can.
His content blends humor and inspiration. In one playful clip, he tells viewers not to pity him — he can break out of handcuffs and gets a “20% discount on manicures.” Fans are loving his energy, with one commenting, “I’m jealous of your Pringles can supremacy,” and another adding, “Thumbs up for you!”
When asked how he plays guitar, Aalbers simply replied, “I don’t.” Another viewer quipped, “He can still give the middle finger — and isn’t that what really matters?”
Despite the positive attitude, Aalbers acknowledges that living without thumbs can be frustrating. One video shows him struggling to untie a gift ribbon, while in another, he admits that meeting new people can be anxiety-inducing — he’s never sure how they’ll react.
Still, he wouldn’t trade his experience for anything. “If I woke up tomorrow with thumbs, I’m not keeping them,” he said. “It’d be like learning to walk again. I’ve spent 26 years getting used to living without thumbs — I’m not spending the next 26 getting used to having them.”
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