Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
37
Painter Who Was Paralyzed At 13 Uses Her Mouth To Paint On Her Sister’s Ceramics, Goes Viral Online
Finding your true passion is one of life’s greatest joys. At the same time, there are plenty of things that may try to mess with it, but if the spirit is strong enough, there’s nothing that can take it away.
Here is a story precisely about that. A woman who, from a young age, had always loved painting got paralyzed at the age of 13 and became immobile from the waist down, with the rest of her body losing at least some part of its functionality. Even though she could not use her hands properly, she decided to employ her mouth and continued painting anyway, which soon led to the creation of a business with her sister. Scroll down to read the full story!
Paralysis undoubtedly makes living more difficult, but it is still entirely possible to enjoy life to the fullest
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
Emily Kilby was paralyzed at the age of 13 and, among other things, could no longer paint like she used to before the injury
Sisters Emily and Olivia Kilby have always stuck together. They were inseparable from the moment they met, and no matter what life threw at them, nothing could change that.
That might mean a great deal in most sibling relationships, but it’s especially important in this one since, at the age of 13, Emily suffered from a virus that eventually left the lower half of her body immobile while also reducing functionality in some other parts.
But Olivia was not going to simply leave her sister behind just because of her disability. Instead, she started looking for activities that could involve both of them regardless of their bodies’ functionalities.
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
She started trying to paint with her mouth instead of her hands but found the process of doing it on paper too daunting
At the same time, Emily has always loved to paint, but the virus’ complications made this process rather difficult for her, making the process of more classic painting quite challenging. So, instead, she started learning to do it with her mouth.
But even then, the way into her old hobby proved to be tricky. “I can’t draw a straight line with my mouth, so it was very frustrating. The control is a lot harder, but it does just take practice,” shared the now-26-year-old woman in an interview with People.
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
Her sister Olivia, who taught herself ceramics, decided to give Emily a new canvas and asked her to try and paint on one of her creations
As time went by, she kept trying to paint on paper but often found the process to be too daunting, which didn’t help her morale. Fortunately, her sister, who had recently taught herself ceramics, came up with a wonderful idea and decided to offer her sister a new kind of canvas.
From there, one thing led to another, and soon, in 2022, Wheely Good Ceramics was born. Their very first creation was an engagement gift to their eldest sister, and when they opened their online shop, the digital lines started forming in no time.
“Compared to other siblings, they could probably go out or go do sport together. But as me and Emily haven’t got that anymore, it was more so to have something to do together,” said Olivia, talking about how their mutual activity eventually evolved into her dream full-time job.
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
Things went better than expected, and soon, they opened their own little business that gained a lot of popularity in a really short time
Now, with their business booming, the entrepreneurial sisters figure things out as they go. Having initially priced their products a bit too low for the time and effort that went into making them, their creations were quickly sold out, and some adjustments needed to be made.
“We live in a society where people want cheap stuff quick. Our stuff’s obviously slow-produced. People probably don’t understand the time that goes into things and the talent from Em painting with her mouth, but we’re still finding our way,” shared Olivia, talking about the process.
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
They hope to keep doing what they do and eventually expand to involve more people with similar experiences in their business
Looking at the future, the sisters hope to expand their business so that they can include other people with similar life experiences. However, at the same time, they plan to keep the process as organic as it is, avoiding mass production, as going that way would most likely ruin the company.
“I think it’s just trying to find a balance of growing it but also keeping the origins of why we started it. We don’t want to lose the magic of what we are doing,” summarized Olivia.
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
It would be terribly difficult, if not impossible, to find someone who would seriously wish to get a spinal cord injury. It comes with massive change in one’s life, and it’s rarely for the better.
According to an article by Baptist Health, there is a possibility that a person with such an injury can heal fully and be able to do everything that they were able to before. However, that depends on the severity of said injury, and, in most cases, the body is often unable to heal itself, and the doctors are not yet able to do much, either.
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
For those in similar situations, the experts suggest not giving up and looking for new hobbies and activities that could work in a similar way painting did for Emily
Getting a spinal cord injury can sometimes be unavoidable, but if you end up in a situation like that, it really doesn’t have to be the end of your life as you know it. For those who had the misfortune of going through something like this, Spinal Cord has some advice that might just help you regain all those colors in your life that the injury took away:
- Don’t forget physical therapy.
- Try to go outside as often as you can.
- Look for adaptive sports.
- Join a peer support group.
- Return to school and learn new things.
- Remember that big life achievements are still completely possible.
- Try out new hobbies or look for ways to adapt your old ones (just like Emily did!)
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
Ultimately, life brings us many surprises, not all of which are pleasant. But as long as we don’t give up and keep moving forward, there’s nothing that can really stop us. And if the colors around you ever get too bleak, take some inspiration from Emily and Olivia. After all, Emily’s story is a great example of the possibilities if you don’t let your circumstances defeat you.
What did you think about this story? Do you know of any similar happenings? Share it all in the comments below!
Image credits: wheelygoodceramics
Poll Question
Thanks! Check out the results:
Newsletter
Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls
By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!
What do you think ?
Cee Cee 3 months ago
Excellent. Reminds me of the late Christie Brown artist and writer who had cerebral palsy. Could only use his foot. Damien Lewis played him in the film My Left Foot.
Cee Cee 3 months ago
Excellent. Reminds me of the late Christie Brown artist and writer who had cerebral palsy. Could only use his foot. Damien Lewis played him in the film My Left Foot.
Related on Bored Panda
46
5