Who is Tjili Grant Wetherill? Cerebal palsy sufferer and world renowned young artist
EARLIER in 2017, a young orphan girl hit the headlines for her incredible art work despite suffering from cerebral palsy.
Now Tjili Grant Wetherill is getting more and more media attention for her designs and her upbeat attitude. Here's what we know about the inspirational teen...
Who is Tjili Grant Wetherill and what's her background?
Tjili was found on the doorstep of a hospital as a new-born orphan in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
When she was found she weighed just 2lb 3oz and doctors later found she had cerebral palsy.
She was put into intensive care for a month and then transferred to an orphanage by the Mekong river.
She was rescued from poverty by British couple James and Vik Grant Wetherill at just eight weeks old.
Now 15 years old, Tjili Grant Wetherill has defied all odds to become a recognised artist with her work being sold for .
Specialists had warned her parents that Tjili could not walk, sit or stand without help but she still manages to grip a pencil or paint brush to create her works of art.
What kind of art does she make?
Tjili has overcome her physical challenges to create stunning art work.
All her pieces are full of colour and vibrancy with a series of lines all forming together to create the image.
On her website Tjili's parents wrote: "TJILI's art-style has evolved to compensate for her physical issues - her wobbly torso and head, the lack of control over her fingers, and so on.
"Somehow TJILI manages to grip her graphite pencil, Wax Aquarell watercolour pastels and paint brushes in the palm of her hand, and produce firm strokes onto the art paper that she steadies with her other arm."
What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affect muscle control, movement and coordination.
It's usually caused by a problem with the brain that occurs before, during or after birth.
Usually, the symptoms of cerebral palsy aren't obvious immediately after a baby is born, but they tend to become noticeable during the first two or three years of a child's life.
According to the , symptoms can include:
- delays in reaching development milestones – eg. not sitting up by eight months or not walking by 18 months
- seeming too stiff or too floppy
- weakness in arms or legs
- jerky or clumsy movements
- walking on tip-toes
- swallowing difficulties
- speaking problems
- learning disabilities
The severity of symptoms can vary – some of those with the condition only experience minor problems, while others may be severely disabled.
