Will Barton, from San Diego, was studying to follow in the footsteps of his Artist parents when a tragic incident left him paralyzed in both arms and one leg. After leaving friends, Will was walking home talking to his cousin on the phone when a stranger ran up behind him and shot him at point blank range in the shoulder, neck and head. The stranger, who later went on a rampage throughout the city, left Will for dead.

Will was given only a 1% chance of survival, and Doctors said he would most likely be in a permanent catatonic state should he live. Despite these extraordinary odds, Will pulled through and after months of extensive therapy Will can speak, sit upright and even take a few steps.

Determined to continue his dreams of becoming an artist, Will (with the help of his artist parents) began mouth painting filling the appetite for creativity he had prior to his injury. Using tragedy as a tool for recovery, Will uses his art for recreational therapy and one day hopes to become a recreational therapist himself.

Will was accepted as a Student Member of the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting in 2015.

Pictured above: “Devargas” by Barton