Artist Alex Biagi refuses to let a disease that nearly robbed him of the use of his limbs prevent him from giving back to his community. Biagi, 38, earned Reddit’s adoration February 16 after he shared a photo of him painting a fox for an event benefiting the animal shelter Life Is Better Rescue in Denver, Colorado. What struck a chord with redditors on r/pics was the sight of Biagi painting with a brush in his mouth.
This is the only way Biagi can paint after he was afflicted with a rare autoimmune neuromuscular disease called CIDP when he was 24. The odds of getting the disease—which typically “causes weakness, paralysis and/or impairment in motor function, especially of the arms and legs,” according to rarediseases.org—are one in 100,000, Biagi said. Biagi has since spent the past three years in a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) program that has slowly changed his life.
“I’m no longer in a power chair which I was in for four years prior to the stem cell transplant. I’m able to walk up to two miles without stopping with braces. I also regained the use of my right arm,” Biagi told me. “I’m now able to get it above my head. Nothing in the hands yet but I’ve had the disease for 15 years it’s going to take a long time to heal.”
Biagi, who used to play the piano, is unsure if he’ll ever get the use of his left hand back because it’s completely paralyzed. He was misdiagnosed with carpal tunnel at 24 and had surgeries on both hands and elbows. Biagi has had 10 surgeries due to CIDP and 21 in total.
The disease forced Biagi back home where his parents help him dress, bathe, cook, and clean. Their support, combined with the praise from redditors, has been inspiring, Biagi said.
“I'm blown away from all the amazing support and feedback I get from people,” he said. “It gives me a big confidence boost in my art. To know that complete stranger like it and are willing to purchase it means everything.”
Biagi recently received his first commission from a Facebook friend who wants him to paint his CD cover. In addition to his painting, Biagi also produces electronic music under the name AL-EX. He has enough strength in his right hand to use a mouse. Listen to his music here.
