Bernadette Maureen Barry

Bernadette Maureen Barry was born on 23 July 1960. She was born with greatly shortened arms because her mother had taken the drug thalidomide during pregnancy. Her sense of hearing and her heart were also seriously affected.
She uses her feet and mouth for all the activities in her daily life. She grew up as the middle child of 5 siblings. As a child she spent a lot of time in hospital. When Bernadette was 11 years old, her parents bought her some oil paints, and she greatly enjoyed painting. Bernadette Barry attended schools for children with disabilities, and changed to mainstream school at the age of 8. At school Bernadette was not allowed to use her feet, so she had no opportunity of studying art.
Bernadette Barry has one son, who was born in 1997. Painting has a positive impact on Bernadette’s life.