When Your Desire To Paint Is Stronger Than Your Disability

When there’s a will there’s a way, and this is certainly true for Zuly Sanguino. Zuly was born with a rare genetic condition called Tetra-amelia syndrome (the absence of all four limbs), brutal bullies tormented her and she was later raped as a teenager. At 15, she found herself on the brink of suicide, but turned her life around. A big part of it was art. When she was 18, Zuly went to art college and learned how to paint by holding the brush in her mouth. In addition, she now gives talks, makes TV and radio appearances. “I’m proof you don’t have to let a disability hold you back,” Zuly said. “I went through such a dark time but now I’m in a good place and it’s given me a sense of purpose.”