British mouth and foot painting artist and photographer, Alison Lapper (41), also known as the ‘The Real Venus’ visited the Holt Ilsan Welfare Town in Tanhyeon-dong, Ilsan-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do on 4/26. 

Lapper arrived at the facility driving an automatic wheelchair with her shoulders. She was greeted by Gwon Duhyeon (deputy governor of the Administration of Gyeonggi-do), director of the Holt Child Welfare and facility associates who awaited here arrival. Lapper then visited the Love Home and encouraged the mentally disabled.

Lapper kept an easy and bright attitude while she greeted children with disabilities and remarked, “What children with disabilities need is not government support, but maternal love.” She also added that she was abandoned by her parents almost after her birth and grew up in a childcare center.

Lapper then visited the Holt Job Rehabilitation Center and talked with Korean pottery artist, Hong, Ildong (54), who has a brain disorder that only allows him to use three fingers to paint on pottery. She commended his work by saying, “His skills have already arrived at perfection.”

Lapper personally demonstrated how she painted by painting faces on white pottery made by disabled people of the center. About over 50 reporters and attendees who watched have marveled and applauded her work. 

Lapper arrived at the facility driving an automatic wheelchair with her shoulders. She was greeted by Gwon Duhyeon (deputy governor of the Administration of Gyeonggi-do), director of the Holt Child Welfare and facility associates who awaited here arrival. Lapper then visited the Love Home and encouraged the mentally disabled.

Lapper kept an easy and bright attitude while she greeted children with disabilities and remarked, “What children with disabilities need is not government support, but maternal love.” She also added that she was abandoned by her parents almost after her birth and grew up in a childcare center.

Lapper then visited the Holt Job Rehabilitation Center and talked with Korean pottery artist, Hong, Ildong (54), who has a brain disorder that only allows him to use three fingers to paint on pottery. She commended his work by saying, “His skills have already arrived at perfection.”

Lapper personally demonstrated how she painted by painting faces on white pottery made by disabled people of the center. About over 50 reporters and attendees who watched have marveled and applauded her work. 

Mentally disabled Han, Songyi who was making pottery next to Lapper, watched Lapper paint and then gave a thumb up to her work.

Lapper also met a handicap couple, Lee, Ilnam . Yu, Jeongseung, with their 9 year old daughter, Lee, Inkyeong. Lapper told the family that she raised her son by diapering him with her mouth. The couple was surprised to hear that Lapper can also drive by herself.

Mr. Lee Ilnam commented that the conversation with Lapper was informative and asked to take a commemorative picture with her.

Facility managers remarked Lapper’s visit and meeting with disabled residents in the facility was a great opportunity to encourage them hope. Lapper thanked Gyeonggi-do for the invitation and also added she felt good about taking part in helping people with handicaps.