Showcasing work of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists

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October is National Disabilities Employment month in Canada. Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor met with two artists who have overcome disabilities to create beautiful paintings.

Adam Atkinson reports.

Susie Matthias of London, Ontario is an accomplished artist, even though she doesn’t have the use of her hands. “My parents saw something and encouraged me…over the years…and I thank them for that.”

Susie is in a group of 800 disabled artists around the world who earn a living selling their work.

Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, met with two “mouth painters” in Toronto today. “There are all kinds of people in our country with special needs of one kind or another, we shouldn’t be denying anybody the right to be a fully functioning creative member of society.”

Mariam Pare was just 20 years old and an aspiring artist. She was caught in the crossfire of a gang shooting in Chicago that left her a quadriplegic. “The therapists were teaching me new ways to do things…and I learned that I could write my name by holding a pen in my mouth.” It took a lot of practice, but she can now paint as well as she could before the injury. “My art has helped me find a purpose in my life, it’s very satisfying…and I also make a living. Sometimes I feel like people underestimate me…they see the wheelchair and don’t realize that I’ve had a full life, a full education, that I’m employable, educated.”

The Mouth and Foot Painters Association sells the artists work in greeting cards, calendars, and books.