Veteran Paints To Raise Money For Tulsa Grandson's Heart Transplant

Adrianna Iwasinski, News On 6

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- A Norman veteran is trying to raise money for a heart transplant for his grandson, and he's doing it through his artwork. No easy feat considering he's confined to a wheelchair and only has partial use of one of his arms.

Mike Simmons has multiple sclerosis. The disease has wrecked havoc on his body, but not his spirit.

Armed with a spatula and some acrylics, Simmons gets to work on one of his master pieces. He usually paints for pleasure, but now paints for a new purpose, to help raise money for his baby grandson's medical costs.

Simmons' grandson, Anderson, was born in March to Tulsa parents. He was diagnosed with an under-developed heart. He has already undergone one heart surgery at a hospital in Tulsa, and will have to undergo another.

The medical bills are expensive, and Simmons hopes the sale of his paintings will defray some of the costs. His paintings run between $400 and $3,000.

If you'd like to purchase one of them, you can contact Simmons at the Norman veteran center, or go to his Facebook page or call 405-366-8033.