Shared Photo: Emily Patterson, polio victim, mouth painting

Question

This is my late sister-in-law, Emily Patterson. This photo was taken in Mexico city about 1972. Emily was stricken with polio in 1959 at age 17 and paralized from the neck down. Despite her handicap, Emily graduated from college and became an accomplished mouth-painter (this photo). Her bio says it all. We have several of her works on canvas and ceramic, absolutely beautiful and detailed art. I never got to know her, and that is my loss. My wife still occasionally tears up talking about her beloved sister, Emily.

Click here for the image details page or here for the full-sized version (2334 x 2945).

Answer 1

Such strength and determination shown to us by this beautiful young lady.  I love her profile page and I love that you have shared this photo.  Don't want to sound maudlin, I don't think she would like that.

Comments

Thanks, Nicole. She was definitely a most courageous woman.

She was also a Kentucky Colonel for just that reason, and for her work with the handicapped. Her mother wanted a closed casket at the “viewing.” However, at the funeral home her sisters made the decision to open it for all her handicapped friends, many of them truly mentally challenged, who needed to see her one more time. My wife says it was most touching scene. They all came and gathered ‘round the casket, some of them just looking and struggling to understand, others weeping. Emily has that kind of impact on people. From all,that I’ve read of her and heard from my wife, she was a marvelous woman.

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Thank you Pip, for the further description of her charisma.  No wonder your wife still tears up when talking about her.  It must have been difficult on her when you wrote her bio, but I think you did it justice.

Answer 2

Thank you, Pip, for sharing this beautiful, talented, and courageous woman with us.  It was emotional to read about her, but also inspiring.  Thank you again.

Comments

She was inspiring, and still is. She is a check on me when I start to complain about something.

Answer 3

Thank You for sharing this wonderful photo of Emily that was a polio victim, and was able to paint

I am sad you never meet your sister in law Pip

Thank You for sharing this wonderful photo

Comments

Thanks, Susan my friend!

Answer 4

Thank you Pip, for sharing this amazing lady and the wonderful tribute to her.

Comments

Thank you, Dallace. I found out last night that it was my wife who wrote that tribute.

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She done a fantastic job.