Automatics are for people who WANT automatics. I'm a manual transmission lover because I just love driving a stick shift car. Driving ANY automatic car is just no fun to me.
If you want a stick, where there's a will, there's a way. Since the invention of the automobile there have been NUMEROUS controls mechanisms put together for special needs. It sounds like you do have your forearm, so I fully expect that there is some sort of shift handle that can be put on the shifter that will allow you to manipulate it.
Much of the skill of handling a manual transmission is with the manipulation of the gas and clutch pedal anyway, so I think the fact that you WANT to drive a stick is the main ingredient.
In the USA, the VAST majority of people drive automatics and have never developed the love for a manual transmission as I have. I'm sure they are happy with their automatics and that's great, but DON'T let them talk you into an automatic if you have your heart set on driving a stick.
I only wish I were there to teach you the art of a manual transmission. I taught both my kids to drive a stick before I would let them NEAR a car with an automatic. They are now 26 and 22 and neither of them will drive anything but a manual transmission car. They are both VERY good at it and derive pleasure from it.
If driving a stick is what you want to do, there is just no reason in the world for you not to do it.
Best of luck and keep us posted.