A friend sent this to me a while back and I've kept it on file ever since. The circumstances within the story truly amaze me as a testament to the human spirit. The story is about of Paul Smith, born in Oregon in 1921 with a severe case of Spastic Cerebral Palsy. To survive as he did, was one thing but to develop his mind as he did is a complete other story, particularly since he had limited mobility, could not speak, and never actually had a formal education .
Aside from being a master chess player, Paul also expressed his creative mind in the only way possible for him considering his handicaps. Unable to hold a pen or paintbrush, Paul learned how to use a typewriter to create some pretty amazing works of art, with one hand steadying the other as he struck the keys. You can scroll through the following samples of his artwork and may find it hard to believe they were all done using just the symbols above the numbers of an old school typewriter. His technique developed tot eh point where his artwork resembles pencil or chalk drawings.
And, despite the obvious difficulties he faced, Paul also managed to live a long time too, dying at the age of 88. truly an amazing and special person, defying the odds and finding his calling even with such handicaps.
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