PAINTING THROUGH PAIN

SEVEN years ago, Wilson Libito was involved in a terrible road accident, smashing into a donkey in the middle of the night.

The 40-year-old barely survived the crash, escaping with his life but losing all mobility in his arms and legs.

Wheelchair bound and paralysed from the chest down, many might have seen death as a kinder fate.

However, although there were several dark days to follow, with the loving support of his wife, the former teacher was able to rebuild his shattered life.

Now based in Canada with his family - which has since grown to include three children - Libito has discovered an unlikely skill; he is able to paint masterpieces using his mouth!

The Voice’s CHRISTINAH MOTLHABANE caught up with the amazing Libito to find out a bit more about his life and his unique ability…

Before we talk about your life-changing accident, tell us a bit about yourself?

I was born and bred in Parakarungu and also lived in Kasane. Now I am based in North Bay, Ontario, Canada. I am a married man with three kids. I got married in 2013 and, in 2014, we were blessed with our first born who was eight months old by the time I got in an accident.

And now, to the car accident, and the impact it had on your life...

It happened in May 2015 at a place called Xakao in North West. It is located on the other side of the river ko Mohembo after Shakawe. I was driving at night time and collided with a donkey.

Although it was a horrific accident, I am glad I managed to live. I sustained a spinal cord injury which paralyses from the chest down. I was a Social Studies teacher at Gowa JSS, and the accident turned my life upside down. It was the end of my career.

Prior to my accident, I was a very successful boxing coach at my school. My boxers reached the nationals every year and brought back medals. So, my injury did not affect me alone but even my students.

Going from being so active to being stuck in a wheelchair must have been devastating. Mentally, how did you survive?

It was hard as I was forced to stay in rehab at Marina Hospital for four months. But now I have two more children who were born after my injury. All in all, depression was there but what helped me cope is that I had to accept that this is the new reality even though it was difficult. I stayed in bed for two years, failing to get up; my wife was forced to do everything for me. But now, I am a bit more independent, I can do other things for myself like getting out of bed and into my wheelchair, etc.