Teenager with no legs trapped in Nepal earthquake says disaster saved his life

Teenager Amir Bomjan knows how lucky he is to have survived the earthquake that rocked Nepalone year ago. But every day, Amir is grateful for so much more.

Because while more than 8,000 people died in the devastation, it set off a chain of
events that saved him from a daily living hell.

Teenager Amir Bomjan knows how lucky he is to have survived the earthquake that rocked Nepalone year ago.

But every day, Amir is grateful for so much more.

Because while more than 8,000 people died in the devastation, it set off a chain of events that saved him from a daily living hell.

After suffering a rare disease as a child, Amir had been left with no legs, withered arms andparalysed from the neck down.

Living in a remote village, he had been sidelined by the poor country’s school and medical systems.

But locked away inside him was a remarkable gift for painting, poetry and music.

And when aid workers helping quake survivors saw his plight everything changed.

He was offered a place at a special school in Kathmandu and suddenly Amir’s inner talents came to light.

Now 16, he says: “I could start to have hope and dreams. I have a future. The earthquake has changed my life for ever.

"I know it killed many people – but it saved my life.”

He is supported by the Karuna Foundation, an inspirational c­hildren’s charity that pays for his paints, canvases and schooling.

To watch him use his teeth to skilfully guide a paintbrush to finish yet another stunning picture is an amazing privilege.

With a big, beaming smile, Amir jokes: “I don’t do hand-writing. I do mouth-writing. I can write, I can paint, I can sing, I can write poetry.

“I really love painting and my dream would be to see my pictures displayed in a gallery in London or New York. That would be fantastic.”

Here are some of his painting:

Source: Mirror