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| Dignity in Disability |
From the Daily Mail (UK):
Disabled teen who paints with her mouth auctions her art off at Christie's
By CHRIS BROOKE
Her work is extraordinary by any standards.
But what makes Leanne Beetham's art truly remarkable is that her paintings are all done with a brush that she holds in her mouth.
The 19-year-old was born with a condition which means she is unable to use her arms or legs.
But her talent and dedication have allowed her to overcome her disability, making her an accomplished artist.
Leanne Beetham's donkeys
Leanne Beatham's elephants
Rural idyll: Another of Leanne's works - she specialises in animals
She is also the youngest member in of the association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists.
Born with a rare genetic condition, arthrogryposis syndrome, Leanne had stiff joints, a severe curvature of the spine and was unable to use her hands and legs.
The outlook was so bleak that her mother could not come to terms with Leanne's disability and her grandparents Maureen and Ken Beetham took charge instead when she was a month old.
"When she was born doctors did not hold out much hope for her," said Mrs Beetham, 72, of Hull
"How she has proved them all wrong. I am incredibly proud of her. She has given me so much pleasure."
When Leanne was two, she began drawing with a pencil in her mouth.
Leanne at the easel
She said: "I took to holding a pen in my mouth quite naturally. I started drawing before I started writing. It's something I do without thinking.
"I paint because I like it. I didn't think I was any good at it until someone told me.
"I don't know whether it's a talent or not, I just think if you are interestedin something and stick at it then anybody can do it."
Her talent was recognised at 13 when she designed a Christmas card for her school which was featured in the local newspaper and seen by a member of MFPA.
Leanne was awarded a scholarship and given help in developing her talent. Last year she received a special award for triumph over adversity from the NSPCC.
She predominantly paints with watercolours, but also works in charcoal.
Her love for painting animals also brought her to the attention of Shepherd, a wildlife artist. And she counts Frederick Forsyth among her admirers.
The crime writer spotted two of her paintings on sale for £250 at an exhibition and sent her a note, with a four-figure cheque enclosed, telling her she was underselling her talent.
Leanne's painting of two elephants, which is up for auction with a reserve price of £800, took her eight hours to complete.
The teenager is on a degree course in applied animal behaviour and training at Bishop Burton Higher Education College, in Beverly, but she intends to make a living as an artist.
"The course helps me understand my subject and allows me to give more detail.
"I've got no idea what I'll do when I finish my degree but I'll carry on with my art because I think that's where my future lies."
Leanne's artistic talent is testament to her attitude to life.
"If you say I can't do something I'll go out of my way to prove you wrong," she said.
From me:
Leanne Beetham we salute you. You are a shining example of why people with disabilities can make a positive contribution to Society.
Then there's the story of Hilary Lister, a quadraplegic, who crossed the English Channel and plans to sail around britain. Proof positive that the British NHS gives people chance,opportunity, encouragement and hope. A sterling testament to those disabled people that can get out there and make a positive contribution to Society and show that disabled people can be valued members of Society.
We salute you.
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/newsarchive.aspx?arti cleid=40621
http://www.hilarylister.com/
Let us not forget Englishman Stephen Hawking. With his crippling illness he could easily sit back and do nothing. Instead he's furthering understanding of the Universe and spreading his knowledge and expertise. An American magazine was forced to print a retraction when they mistakenly thought Stephen Hawking was American and would have been left to die if he was British.
Stephen Hawking was born and raised in England. "If it wasn't for the NHS, I wouldn't be alive today" he said.
Stephen Hawking, we salute you.
Many of us here in the US, deride the British Welfare system as being a soft touch. A haven for scroungers, malingerers and parasites.
It is heartwarming to know that there are at least some really disbled people out there who give, give and keep on giving to society.
We salute their commitment, bravery and valued contributions.
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Posted by solly on 2009-08-19 14:22:24 | Rating: | Views: 71
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