| "When I arrived at the hospital I thought all they | | | | self-fulfillment through their art. By selling |
| were going to do is some chiropractic work. Little did | | | | reproductions of their original artwork as greeting |
| I know I would remain a quadriplegic for life!", so said | | | | cards, calendars and other printed materials, the |
| Dennis Francesconi, who at 17 years old, flew 31 feet | | | | organization helps the artists achievefinancial |
| in the air after his waterskiing boat hit sand, and | | | | independence. |
| propelled him head-first onto the beach. | | | | "Didn't you feel ridiculous with a paint brush in your |
| In August 1980, Dennis went water skiing for just | | | | mouth?", I asked Dennis. "It was just the opposite! It |
| the seventh time. At 5'10" and self-described as lean, | | | | was the first time in years that I felt in charge! I also |
| Dennis enjoyed athletics, specially soccer and baseball. | | | | started to notice how objects were shaded - the |
| He also tried out for the football team, but his thin | | | | lighting at dusk - the beauty in nature. There were |
| frame didn't enjoy the pounding, nor did he enjoy | | | | also some amusing discoveries, I could only paint by |
| watching his friend's wind up with broken legs and | | | | holding the paint brush on the right side of my |
| arms. "This just ain't for me," he said. So when | | | | mouth." |
| someone suggested water skiing - "it sounded | | | | The organization's founder, polio-stricken Erich |
| perfect." | | | | Stegmann, was an early practitioner of mouth |
| Dennis remembers his Mother's screams for an | | | | painting and sculpting. His vision was to create a |
| ambulance, and his father helping the paramedics load | | | | worldwide organization of like-minded artists facing |
| him into an ambulance. He had no pain, and could feel | | | | physical disabilities and provide them with the |
| his arms, and wondered why everyone was so | | | | opportunity to achieve financial security. |
| concerned. By the time they reached the hospital, | | | | The original organization was comprised of 16 |
| feeling from the chest down soon left him. "I | | | | European artists. Today, it has expanded into 70 |
| honestly thought that a chiropractor would be waiting | | | | countries, including the United States, which is home |
| for me, and adjust everything back into place." | | | | to more than 60 MFPA artists who paint for pleasure |
| The diagnosis: A broken neck with the 5th vertabrae | | | | and to make a living. Working under the organization's |
| literally shattered, and the 4th and 6th dislocated. | | | | motto, "Self help - not charity," the artists don't let |
| Dennis has no use of any of his limbs. | | | | their disabilities stand in the way of benefiting from |
| For the next 19 years Dennis lived on Social Security | | | | their hard work. |
| Insurance of $600.00 per month and lots of odd jobs: | | | | There are an estimated 180,000 physically challenged |
| salesman of herbal supplements, real estate salesman | | | | people in the United States who could possibly |
| to farmers (in an electric wheelchair), and, as he | | | | benefit by becoming aware of MFPA. |
| describes it, "I was just grabbing at straws." | | | | "After being on public support for 19 years, I was |
| "It was a huge loss" was how Dennis described his | | | | finally able to come off it and regain my |
| life after the accident. "There is no huge settlement. I | | | | independence as a direct result of joining the MFPA," |
| didn't get hit by a beer truck!". | | | | said Dennis, an MFPA member who has participated in |
| In 1986, on a suggestion from his wife Kristi, Dennis | | | | about 70 exhibitions and is presently working on a |
| enrolled in a program called "Help Them Walk Again," | | | | rose painting for a wine label - his second to date - |
| which was headquartered in Las Vegas. Exercise | | | | at an award-winning California vineyard. "I would do |
| programs, electronic stimulation and weight lifting | | | | anything this organization asked me to because they |
| were part of the curriculum, with the hope that | | | | returned my life to normalcy." |
| someday the scientists may find a cure. | | | | Francesconi isn't alone in his optimism. Many other |
| More pushing from Kristi, family and friends led Dennis | | | | MFPA members have a similar outlook on life and |
| to enroll in MFPA (Mouth and Foot Painting Artists) | | | | appreciate the opportunity to share their art with the |
| Now approaching its 50th Anniversary, the MFPA | | | | world. |
| enables mouth and foot painters to achieve | | | | |