April 29, 2008 Special bond found through common traits Play video

(Prat Thakkar, NECN) - It's 10:30 am in Boston and 33-year-old Rhea Tavares is dancing to a computer beat. With 4-year-old Tim Svensek, who's thousands of miles away in Slovenia.

Bravo may be the most appropriate word for this unlikely twosome. United by a rare congenital defect. And a bond of humanity that spans land and sea.

Rhea was born in Brazil... Doctors believe she has what is known as split hand syndrome where a baby is born with partially developed hands... But Rhea's case is more severe... Her forearms didn't develop fully; she has no palms, and has only one finger at the end of each arm

Then one day her mother noticed Rhea using her hands to pick up a needle off the floor... Determined to have her daughter attend school, Rhea's mother put boots on Rhea's feet and forced the young girl to begin using her hands.

By age 7, Rhea was independent, having learned how to eat, dress and write. Eight years ago she began her present job, working with the Boston-based federation for children with special needs.

Tim's doctors had never seen his condition before... The boy’s parents designed a collared spoon for his arm so he could eat... Then 6 months ago with a web cam rhea began teaching Tim all she had once taught herself... How to use a regular fork and spoon... How to draw with crayons...

Rhea was on the computer for hours every day... Through a translator his mother Maya told us of the change.

Rhea's work doesn't stop

with Tim. She's been helping children with disabilities... Navigate the school system and get help... Like 15-year-old gill Henny Schweng's family. The Brazilian born teen was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia.

For Rhea the reason is simple. She remembers her struggles.

“I don't want them to be in that position. on this day Tim has succeeded in drawing a dinosaur, which looks more like a fish... And the two have one word for each other.”

NECN’s Prat Thakkar reports.