As soon as I pick that pencil up I feel like I’m healed.
Picture from ABC News: : Former homeless artist and recovering drug addict Robert Drew has been selling his sketches to get by on the streets. (ABC News: Anna Hartley)
Robert Drew was born without fingers. What’s more he has been in the grip of drug addiction. He tried ice, pot, and alcohol. But his drawing has drafted – pun intended – a new perspective. Clearly he has a talent. Please check out the article on ABC News Australia.
What a great way to utilize our talents for a better life.
Robert’s story is my (late arrival) focus for this month’s We Are The World Blogfest #WATWB post for June 2019.
Our co-hosts this month are:
Sylvia McGrath,
Susan Scott,
Shilpa Garg,
Eric Lahti,
and Belinda Witzenhausen. Please head over to their pages and all using the #WATWB.
Robert Drew reminded me of an earlier poem of mine called “We Are More”. There is an excerpt below.
We Are More
(iii)
He takes his “Please help” sign,
Turns it round,
And with
A texta he found,
Begins
To sketch,
Feebly at first,
Then
With gusto,
A portrait
Of her,
That Toulouse-Lautrec
Would be proud of.
Yes
We are more
Than the symptoms seem.
More good news on the #WATWB tag
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Simon's still stanza 
A great share, Simon. Drew’s story is inspiring. Your poem seems it was written just for him.
Thanks, Norah. Pity there is not more info on Drew. It’s wonderful to see what has happened for him.
Extraordinary story Simon – hard to fathom the dedication with no fingers. As your poem says we are more than our symptoms . I hope Queensland gets adequate funding for the homeless
Amazing man, thanks for sharing Simon. 😉
Hi Simon – I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about Robert Drew – what an amazing talent and thank goodness he turned his life around, so his talent could come forth and stun us. I love your poem – so appropriate for this post … and good luck to Robert – cheers Hilary
Hi Simon, 3rd attempt to post a comment – this is an extraordinary story. Your poem speaks well to it that we are more, much more than our symptoms. May Queensland be well funded so that homelessness lessens.
Great post, Simon! Homelessness is a universal problem and sadly addiction can happen to anyone. I love how Robert is giving back! Thanks so much for sharing and for being a part of #WATWB! 🙂
Really enjoyed this story, Simon. What a brave man, to persevere despite his handicap and hard life…how wonderful that he can experience an artist’s creativity. He puts me in mind of the MFPA (mouth and foot painting artists) except he appears to paint beautifully with his fingerless hands, doesn’t he? How very amazing and wonderful. Thanks for sharing.