Disabled artist who paints with feet inspires pupils

CHILDREN at a Hull primary school have been given a valuable lesson in how to overcome adversity after a visit by an artist who paints with her feet.

Katrina Gardner, from Sproatley, was invited to Mersey Street Primary School after a pupil asked what it would be like to draw with different parts of the body.

Ms Gardner, who was one of thousands of babies born with malformed limbs as a result of their mothers taking the drug Thalidomide, was only too happy to help.

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Teacher Sue Perry said: “When one of the children in my class asked the question I invited Katrina to come along to talk about what happened to her and show the children her work, as well as talk about how she manages at home and in everyday life.

“Before Katrina’s visit I felt it was important for the children to try and understand what it would be like to have a disability so I asked the children to write a story using their opposite hand to show them how it would feel. The children have found it extremely rewarding and have really benefited from her visit. She is brilliant with the children and is able to talk to them on their level.”

She added: “The most important lesson that the children have learnt from Katrina’s visit is that they should never give up and keep on trying. She is a real inspiration. The children now have a real interest in art and are drawing and painting more, as well as doing it with their feet.”

Ms Gardner, who was inspired to take up art when she took a free watercolour lesson at her village hall, has had her paintings reproduced as greeting cards and calendars around the world.

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