|
I was born June 23 1965 in the Philippines and am the youngest child of five to hard working loving parents. My Mother is still alive and my dear Father has passed on. I have been a quadriplegic for over 20 years now after a tragic diving accident at the age of 24. I suffered a cervical cord injury that paralyzed me for the rest of my life. Since then I have been confined to a wheelchair....
I struggled just with living for many years and I thought all my dreams would be shattered forever but I never lost hope. I was a person full of hope and energy to overcome many trials ahead of me. I believe “Where there is a will, there is a way” and I never say surrender!
My interest in painting grew from the encouragement of other foot and mouth painters, especially from the recommendation of Dennis Francesconi from California, the moral support and inspiration from my family and friends, also guidance from Sr. Valeriana Baerts ICM the founder of Tahanang Walang Hagdanan (House With No Steps) where I was admitted for rehabilitation and training. Along the way I found many guardian angels who encouraged me, one becoming my close friend Jody Ricci (a Kiwi from Australia ) who is helping me develop this web site.
After the accident there were not many careers left to me. (A man needs to provide). With hope still in my heart I realized mouth painting was the only skill and talent I would be able to develop in hope of providing a living for myself and family. I found training at House With No Steps and attended art exhibitions conducted by other organizations to help motivate my skills. I allowed art to influence me and I practiced the techniques I was learning. My hope and confidence strengthened over the years as I was developing my skill. It all paid off this year when The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation referred me to the Mouth and Foot Painters Association and they accepted me for a scholarship.
|
