Moffat Beach artist and multiple sclerosis sufferer Colin Chandler is continuing to pursue his passions, including a dedication to supporting charity fundraisers.
Mr Chandler, who was diagnosed with progressive MS in 2014, has helped raise $80,000 for various causes in recent years.
The disease causes nerve damage and interrupts brain and body communication, affecting his ability to walk and use his arms. Symptoms vary for every person with MS.
“Ten years ago, the last thing you’d see me doing at 2pm is sitting inside,” he said.
“I am and always will be the most hyperactive person you will ever meet.”
He said hope was essential to fight the negative impacts of the disease.
“Raising money is important but raising hope is vital,” he said.
True to his word, the 67-year-old has projected his positivity by participating in charity events, including the Moonlight Walk late last year at Kings Beach.
The annual fundraiser is organised by Liza Farer, who runs an MS support group on the Sunshine Coast.
He also participated in the Brisbane Moonlight Walk at South Bank in October last year, and in 2019 started Goat Track Madness, which involves a 400m descent of Nebo Mountain.
“I told my wife I might go up there and she said, ‘That is madness’. So I thought, ‘Why not call it that?’,” he said.
In defiance of his condition, Mr Chandler has maintained his love for painting and credits the colourful and forever-changing waves of the ocean as his main inspiration.
In his 2021 art exhibition, he sold 30 paintings to raise funds for ocean conservation.
He also does commission paintings for other clients.
“When I paint and listen to music, I feel like I don’t have MS,” he said.
“MS is like a thief that tiptoes in and takes away all the things you love, so you have to find ways of replacing things.”
He even saw his paintings become part of the Beach Boys’ world tour backdrop in 2016.
An acquaintance of Mr Chandler’s met with the band members, who were looking for surf art, and after his talent was mentioned, they asked him if they could use his work.
As well as keeping up with the demand for his artworks, Mr Chandler indulges in playing the guitar, banjo, mandolin and mouth organ.
His musical ability has diminished since his diagnosis but he regularly meets with other local musicians for jam sessions at his house.
Over the years, he has also worked as a journalist, farmer, laboratory assistant and tech consultant, but art has remained his first love.
Like any other life change, Mr Chandler is still learning how to manage his disability, with his wife Cheryl’s help.
A hoist is necessary to help keep his arm up while painting, his two-storey house has also been fitted with an elevator and his studio is accessible via a wheelchair ramp.
He said he would like to see the Sunshine Coast named the most disability-friendly location in Queensland.
For now, his collection of paintings inspired by the Border Ranges in New South Wales is his main priority.
Out of the plethora of life mottos he has found over the years, “never give up” is his favourite.
Mia Ludwig is a University of the Sunshine Coast Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) graduate.
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