Kirt Cruz - A true inspiration

I bought my last piece of artwork on my last day in Belize. Mermaids had been catching my eye on this trip, so when I saw Kirt’s beautiful painting of a mermaid swimming in a kelp bulb, I was sold. Not only is Kirt’s art beautiful, but so is his soul. Several years ago, Kirt was stabbed in the back and suffered severe spinal cord injuries which left him with having to use braces and a wheelchair for mobility support. An additional challenge to his injury has been training his mind and body to use his left hand to paint.

For most people, this type of injury would have been devastating in so many ways. It seems that Kirt has embraced the injury as strength of mind over body which has allowed him to see and value life for all the good that it has to offer. Maybe this also comes from the giving spirit that radiates around him. With every sale of art, Kirt gives a generous amount back to his community to help support the people who are less fortunate than he.

After meeting and talking with Kirt that day, I felt that my heart grew bigger – kind of like what happened to the Grinch on Christmas Day. That was not the first or last time on that trip that I encountered genuine and unconditional love for one’s life, culture, community, and neighbor. Belize is definitely a place where the heart can grow bigger and stronger.