A disabled artist from Chipperfield mingled with the rich and famous when he appeared on a primetime TV chat show to recount his remarkable story of overcoming adversity.
Henry Fraser was just 17 when a diving accident on holiday in Portugal left him paralysed from the shoulders down.
However he did not let this tragedy ruin his life, and has gone on to receive nationwide recognition for his positive outlook and amazing artworks – painted entirely by mouth.
Appearing on The Jonathan Ross show on Saturday alongside well-known singers Demi Lovato and James Arthur, and TV stalwarts Holly Willoughby and Martin Clunes, Henry was introduced as “a different kind of guest” to the usual crop of A listers.
He told Ross there was “no point being sad about what happened, no-one to blame, I might as well just get on with it and from that moment my whole mind-set changed”.
They discussed his book “The Big Little Things”, which is subtitled “A young man’s belief that every day can be a good day” – a title which encapsulates Henry’s view on the world.
Henry initially started painting to stave off boredom while recovering in hospital but has since gone on to earn numerous commissions, and last year made the top 10 in a list of the most successful people with a disability or impairment in sport, business, politics and entertainment.
Since his accident, Henry, brother of former Saracens back-row Will Fraser, has also enjoyed great success as a motivational speaker, delivering his “Pushing Myself” talk to a number of high profile businesses and sports teams, including Saracens and England 7s.
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