"I definitely don't type like a normal person with fingers would," said Metallo.

Metallo was born perfectly normal.

"When I was 3 years old, I contracted a rare disease called meningococcemia -- an airborne bacteria that enters your bloodstream," she said.

The disease attacked her extremities. Doctors had to amputate her hands and legs but were able to reconstruct partial new hands.

"Every day brings its own new things to deal with. Driving a modified car was a pretty big challenge, (as was) opening a bottle. I usually need someone to help me with things like that," said Metallo.

What Metallo is able to do took years of practice. Her friends say watching her is encouraging.

"She keeps a better attitude than most people I know," said Candice Gage.

It helps that Metallo can work on campus to pay off her tuition. Her latest project is putting up insulation for the college's sound room.

"If I were to go to a public school and pay tuition, I'm not sure that it would be possible because, in order to do that, you have to have a second job to support yourself and I don't think I have the physical capacity to hold a job and go to school in some place not like this," said Metallo.

Yet she still manages to go to school, work 15 hours a week and do it all with a smile.

"I try not to get too big a head. It's all God. I wouldn't be able to do anything without him, not a thing."

Metallo plans to graduate from College of the Ozarks this May with a degree in communications.
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For more information on the disease that Metallo contracted when she was young, there is a link to the Centers for Disease Control website, just click on the tab "Newscast Links."