VIDEO: Keith's inspiring others to take up mouth painting

Keith Jansz, who was paralysed from the neck down in a car accident 20 years ago this month, held a demonstration for patients at the National Spinal Injuries Centre in Stoke Mandeville on Monday.

Mr Jansz, who lives in Finemere spoke with patients currently being treated at the centre, and encouraged them to take up either mouth or foot painting. The artist took up mouth painting after his accident, and credits it with giving him a sense of purpose after he lost his independence.

He said: “Just a month before my crash I had run the London Marathon and I was really physically fit.

“After the accident I couldn’t do anything for myself and I descended into a deep, dark well of depression.

“Going from having such a sporty and physical state of mind to having to be fed by other people. Self esteem and self respect go out of the window.”

But after being given a book about mouth and foot painting, and meeting with members of the Mouth And Foot Painting Artists group, Mr Jansz discovered a flair for art which now makes he and his wife a living.

He said: “My wife has always been by my side and she has taken that journey too, she is now an art historian after studying at the University of Buckingham.”

He added: “Before my accident I never saw the light that greeted me in the morning when I was rushing to meetings and all of these things that we think are so important.

“I know now that I am very lucky to have the life that I do.”

For more go to www.keithjansz.com