Paralysed young artist who paints with his mouth winning famous sporting fans

Will Mott

Former Sports Reporter, ITV News London

Henry Fraser paints with a specially made easel using his mouth. Credit: ITV News

Henry Fraser's rugby career was ended by a diving accident. But it seems nothing will stop his calling as an artist.

He's painted sporting icons such as Usain Bolt, Roger Federer and Thierry Henry and drawn portraits of Andy Murray and David Beckham.

The celebrities love the artworks - he's met Henry and Beckham, and Bolt and Federer have tweeted their support.

But what's remarkable is that they're all created using his mouth.

On holiday in 2009 Henry ran into the sea, dived into the surf and hit his head.

The injury paralysed him. He told me the turning point was one day in hospital when he saw his reflection for the first time in two months.

Theirry Henry is a fan of this portrait. Credit: ITV News

Sat in a bulky wheelchair, he had almost lost four stone in weight and had a tube in his throat to help him breathe.

What he saw upset him but was also his motivation. From that night on he didn't want to be sad or angry, but wanted instead to push on.

Earlier this year he began drawing on his iPad with a stylus he held in his mouth. Then a friend built him an easel for a paper canvas and off he went.

Henry's next portrait isn't going to be a sports star. He's just started drawing Stephen Hawking as he finds the scientist's life and work inspiring.

His work will be put on display next October to raise money for his trust and he currently balances his time between his rehabilitation, his art and giving motivational talks.

You could say his life and work is pretty impressive and inspiring too.