Without any warning or symptoms to preclude it, musician Jeshurun Vincent had lost his hearing at just 19-years-old. The life-altering revelation came about abruptly, leaving no room for Vincent to even prepare. And yet in 2020, he had become a Malaysian Book of Records title holder for The Most Number of Countries Travelled By An Individual, clocking a total of 102 countries around the world in the name of inspiring change through music.
Woke up to find himself suddenly deaf in one ear
Beginning his journey in 2014 with Myanmar, Vincent made it his goal to grace as many locales in the world as he was able to reach with his guitar in hand, with the intent of encouraging and inspiring others around him to overcome the setbacks that they have faced in their own lives as well. In speaking with Wau Post, he explained that his condition had initially left him in such a bad state that he was barely able to get out of his own bed in the morning.
“I lost my body balancing which means I have to be on bed and could not even stand.
However, after a while I was able to stand and slowly do things in my life except for hearing. [sic]” he explained.
Through an interview with The New Straits Times, he shared that his condition plunged him into a deep depression, from which he learned to find an outlet through music from his late mother’s encouragement.
“One day I heard a particular song and I started playing it, and from there my late mum saw me and notice the talent in me.
I had the privilege to learn music and with that, I started to play and improve over time.” he told Wau Post.
Determination taught him how to live alongside his deafness
With a fierce determination, Vincent gradually learned to cope and accept his deafness, with music keeping him company along every step of the way. In fact, he even managed to obtain an undergraduate degree in finance while pursuing his creative passions. He goes on to describe music as being a form of self-expression that acted as a medium for him to bring out meaning from situations where he was otherwise unable to explain through words alone.
Where musical instruments were concerned, Vincent started learning how to play using a bass guitar to begin with, which often elicited jibes and wisecracks from others due to how the guitar would almost measure as tall as he did.
“When I put it (the bass guitar) on me it looks like I am holding a shot gun. There are also people who teased me by saying ‘Jesh, are you playing the guitar or is it playing you?’
However one thing that I learned is that if we have the determination not to give up, we can make a difference. My dedication, determination and the support from family, especially my mum, helped me to cruise through those challenges and in 3 months I was able to play the basic stuff already.”
A tour of a few countries led to a globetrotting experience of 102 countries
On the subject of his record-breaking globetrotting, Vincent said that the initial plan was to only travel to a few nations. But during the course of his travels, he decided to add more destinations to his list, eventually topping out at 102 countries.
“I did not expect that I can continue and go on. I faced many discouragements from people who didn’t understand me nor the purpose of me doing this.”
But once again, with sheer determination, he did the unthinkable and ventured even further across the world. Along the way, he took many of the challenges that he had faced in stride, such as visiting war-torn countries and enduring grueling transits that could last upwards of 16-hours long.
“However, I am happy that I can inspire others. There was once a person who heard my story who then decided to open up her depression that was leading her to suicide, and became fully motivated to overcome those thoughts.”
While he had intended to continue travelling, his mother’s poor health eventually led him to return to Malaysia just one week shy of the national COVID lockdown in 2020. His mother would tragically pass away a month later.
Setbacks are not discouragements
Since his return, he has authored a successful memoir of his travels entitled Into The Potter’s Hands, and is currently working on a second book about his journey through South America. Advising those who are facing challenges in their own lives to persevere, Vincent underscores the importance in framing hardships in a different perspective.
“Do not think that every setback in life is a discouragement, as it can also be a pushing point in your life to go forward.
Imagine how a rubber band that needs to be shot far needs to be pulled backwards first before releasing.”
Vincent continues to remain active in the local music scene today and was just recently invited to share his story of travelling across 102 countries with the Deputy Minister of National Unity Yb Wan Ahmad Fayhsal.
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