Woman who broke her spine as a toddler becomes mouth-painting artist

A woman who has been paralysed since she fell while learning to walk as a toddler is an artist painting beautiful pictures with her mouth. Sarah Barker has lived with the disability since she suffered a spinal chord injury aged 18 months.

She fell and hit the back of her neck whilst learning to walk. The accident left her paralysed from the neck down and she has to be on a ventilator for 24 hours a day.

But it did not stop Sarah, from Bodmin, from pursuing her passion of art - and she learned to paint artwork inspired by nature using her mouth.

Read next: Traders furious as all car parks 'closed' after IT glitch

Read next: Strong river current sweeps small children out to sea

The 39-year-old now hopes to share her story to inspire others living with a disability to not give up - and embrace creativity. Sarah said: "Although people might find it difficult when you first have your accident, you can still lead a normal life and you can still do pretty much what you want to do.

"It's just finding ways around it, not giving up - and being creative. I'd like to share with other people that anything is possible. Art is a way to express myself, it's a release."

Having painted for almost all her life, since the age of four, Sarah recalls how her art has only improved over time. She has also had to find the painting method that best suits her over the years - which she has found to be painting using a stick in her mouth, and attaching a paint brush onto the stick.

Want the latest Cornwall breaking news and top stories first? Click here to join CornwallLive on WhatsApp and we'll send breaking news and top stories directly to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

She added: "I've always been very creative - I guess because I had my accident at such a young age, I've learnt how to adapt quickly, so that's why I started drawing and painting with my mouth. I have tried many other ways over the years - like Eyegaze on computers and things, but always found my stick is the best way.

"When I'm feeling well enough, when I'm not on antibiotics, I spend most of the week painting and being creative."

Sarah added: "My art is mainly nature-focused - I draw beaches, the environment, flowers, animals - and always use bright colours. When I'm not painting, I like going to the beach with my husband and dogs, visiting new places - I love the sun and being out in the sunshine. I also love reading and learning, and seeing shows. All sorts really."

Sarah met her husband, Rich, in 2016 and in 2021, the pair got married at Lostwithiel Church.

A year later Sarah had a collapsed lung and had to stay in hospital for a long time - but she painted a big picture in there to keep her mind active. She admits she has good times and bad times having recently had a lot of infections which means she cannot venture out as much as she would like to.

But she is excited for the future, as she is currently waiting for a studio to be refurbished - which the talented artist hopes to move into and open it for craft fairs and open studio days. "I try to pick myself up and hopefully am feeling better now," she said. "I like to break down barriers find creative ways to make things accessible, and show people that anyone can do what they want to do."