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| Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Bill`s background is in Graphic Design, Advertising and Architectural illustration. Despite having to adapt to chronic progressive Multiple Sclerosis Bill has overcome almost total paralysis to continue producing works of Art for over 30 years. |
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| Bill says, "Through a series of almost guided experiences and interactions, with a never-ending number of Guardian Angels, I was allowed to discover, learn and accomplish continually". Athlete-Outdoorsman became advocate for person with disabilities. Illustrator-Designer became Poet-Expressionist painter. |
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| Bill has shown an amazing ability to use his talents to participate in the community. His spirit and will have enhanced rather than deteriorated along with his body. As a member of over twenty different volunteer boards and committees, Bill has helped make successful a multitude of undertakings. Projects in the areas of services, communication alternatives, housing and support have been implemented at all three levels of Government. |
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| In late 1987 home care for persons under 65 existed in only 20 apartment units in Edmonton. By 1990 Bill and another team of dedicated individuals played instrumental role in designing and building Artspace co-op an $8 million, fully accessible, 88 unit, high rise, town house complex with 29 adapted units complete with their own on site support services program. |
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| As his MS progressed painting size reduced from six feet to six inches, and a complete changeover from right to left hand. Finally in late 1994 Bill was left without the use of both hands. What started as tripping over his toe had progressed to being physically equivalent to a C4 quadriplegic "Great from the neck up" but requiring 24-hour care. |
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| In early 1995 a chance to enter the computer age, using Assistive Technology |
| (AT), not only returned his ability to draw and paint, it allowed reproduction of past works and the setting of type . . . all "Hands-Free". The possibilities of artist as publisher created a whole new set of "Delusion of Grandeur". |
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| Starting with the donation of a logo for the Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Centre Society in 1984 many pieces of Bill's original and print art have been used to raise funds for a wide variety of non profit organizations. |
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| Thanks to AT that tradition still continues. |
| AT also made it possible to be part of Real Abilities Golf 2000 in Newport Beach California. He would be one of only 15 quadriplegic individuals in North America selected to participate in this inaugural, groundbreaking adventure. An incredible combination of technology allowed them to golf, from their wheelchairs, right alongside, hole for hole with the able-bodied participants in the tournament. |
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| Continuing to express his passions through art and writing Bill`s computer art catalog has reached more than 100 items and his dream of an Art Gallery became reality with the establishment of this web page. He`s almost finished writing an illustrated book and has created a slide presentation about creativity's role in overcoming adversity. called "Reflections in a Silver Circle". Bill presented at ATIA 2003 in Orlando. |
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| Another project in development is the Art Hands-Free International Association. It will show the potential of "Assistive Technology" for people with Disabilities and recognize those who are out there doing it and the people around them too. |
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| Bill is the first to acknowledge that these accomplishments and the possibilities of tomorrow are due to the contribution of a continuous flow of caring and concerned People "Without those People none of this exist." |
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| Special recognition is given here to Evelyn Dellosa "Who constantly Amazes me while continuously Creating Tomorrows" and to the Independent Living Program at Artspace where we live. And to the outstanding assistant of Randy Marsden and the people at Madentec Inc.. They are indeed the "Makers of Dreams". |
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