John Denner plays lead guitar. He plays it with astounding precision and fiery passion. But that’s not the reason John Denner is a hero. There are many people who play guitar. Maybe even a few of them are as good as John.
But John plays the guitar without a right hand. It’s not a gimmick. He was born that way.
Certainly, anyone with a disability who makes it in this world deserves respect and appreciation. But John goes beyond what most of us consider courageous. All his life John has dealt with — and broken — the barriers of physical limitation.
Growing up in Connecticut, John was determined to join his friends in games and sports. In a constant battle to overcome his fears and doubts, John excelled at baseball, became a gifted sketch artist, and mastered every video game he tried. But it was his love of the guitar that would prove to be his biggest obstacle and his most poignant triumph.
John doesn’t read music. He taught himself to play lead guitar by listening to Eddie Van Halen’s “Eruption;” one of the hardest guitar solos in rock history. He trained himself to hear deeply, to “feel” every variation in sound and then find a way to translate it into technique. It’s possible that reading music might not have produced such a profound aptitude. But regardless of the path, before John could try one chord or pick one note, he had to figure out a way to play without a right hand.
John dreamed of getting a prosthetic hand. Playing the guitar didn’t seem remotely possible without one. A well known manufacturer once gave him the opportunity to try one, and for a few glorious hours, John believed he would master the guitar at last. Sadly, John’s dream of a full hand was never realized. Crushed by skyrocketing costs and uncooperative insurance companies, John put his guitar down for nearly 10 years.
But even after a decade, the longing to play just wouldn’t die. John could feel it in his bones. He was meant to play the guitar. He was meant to overcome this.
And so one day … he did.
On his own — without help from insurance companies or high-tech prosthetics — John found a way to live his dream. He invented a sleeve that fit over the end of his right arm; a sleeve that could hold a pick. Once he was comfortable strumming the guitar, he began at last to explore the instrument he loved.
Today, in his thirties, John is being celebrated as one of the most electrifying guitar players in rock today
But that’s not the reason John Denner is a hero either.
In the first flush of public acclaim, John didn’t just savor his own success. After realizing he really had done the impossible, his next move was to share. A heart that opened so deeply to feel music, immediately connected to the anguish of those with similar challenges. He knew what it was to live with doubt. He wanted every one with limb loss to know they didn’t have to suffer. He wanted to tell them not to give up their dreams, no matter how improbable they might seem.
Looking for a way to get his message out, John immediately involved himself with the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA). As a volunteer, John will serve at a youth camp, helping young people deal with limb loss and birth defects. As an advocate, John joins the ACA in petitioning for insurance reform. State by state … legislature by legislature … the fight is on to uniformly mandate insurance coverage for upper body prosthetics. John and the ACA want insurance companies to reclassify upper body prosthetics from “cosmetic and not covered” to “fully covered” as vital to the health of all who suffer limb loss or birth defect.
In December of 2007, John joined the extraordinary staff and volunteers of Operation First Response (OFR) for a visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. OFR, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing personal and financial assistance to our nation’s wounded heroes and their families. John plans to go back often, to offer support, encouragement, even guitar lessons. And jam with other fellow musicians he met there.
John is determined that no one … no child, no veteran … should have to experience another moment, let alone a decade, of despair. He wants to do whatever he can to end the pain of believing that life has to be less, if one is not whole.
John Denner is a hero because he has an all-embracing, courageous heart.
John Denner is a hero because he believes his victory should be everyone’s victory.
If we are strong, our challenges teach us resourcefulness. But if we are lucky, our pain teaches us compassion.
John Denner is an inspiration to us all.
Written by Karen Judd
This story has been submitted by a guest user and does not necessarily represent the views of The My Hero Project or its staff.
Photos courtesy of John Denner, LLC
RELATED LINKS
Operation First Response Supporting wounded veterans and their families.
Amputee Coalition of America Support for amputees and others with limb loss.
Pinto, Amanda. “”Not having a right hand doesn’t fret this guitar hero.”.” New Haven Register.
More Featured Musician Heroes
Adan was a beloved Mexican singer who often donated
earnings to charity. Alexander Borodin was an accomplished chemist, composer and staunch advocate of women’s rights. Antonin Dvorák was a Czech composer who influenced other artists. Bessie Smith
‘Empress of the Blues,’ left a rich legacy in jazz, blues and rock and roll with her unexcelled artistry and emotion.
Bob Marley had a vision of One World, One Love. Charlie Parker was a great musician and father. Dexter Gordon was a musician nominated for an Oscar. Donald Knaack is a musician whose unique productions inspire people of all ages to explore, create and give back to others.
Ella Fitzgerald
was a beloved songstress who used her success to help people of all races, cultures and beliefs. Fela Kuti
was a revolutionary
musician from Nigeria. Frank Zappa was a musician and composer with a flair for the absurd. Franz Liszt was a musical composer and piano prodigy.
George Enescu was a famous Romanian violinist and composer. Inul Daratista is an Indonesian singer fighting to break cultural boundaries Jack Johnson is a musician who encourages kids to take care of the environment. Jimmy Page continues to be an inspiration to musicians worldwide.
Johan (Jean) Julius Christian Sibelius was an innovative modern composer. John Lennon was a singer/songwriter, member of The Beatles and peace activist. Johnny Hiland overcame a visual impairment to become a renowned guitarist. Katie Lee is a passionate advocate for wilderness.
Ludwig van Beethoven was one of the greatest composers of classical music. Marian Anderson was a world-renowned opera singer. Michael Franti sends a message of peace and tolerance through his music. mpower harnesses the power of music to change youth attitudes about mental health.
Nick Jonas inspires listeners to his music with his meaningful lyrics. Paul Hewson (Bono) is a musician, family man and humanitarian. Paul Robeson was
a performer who
was deeply
committed to
political causes. Philly Bongole Lutaaya was the first Ugandan to put a human face on AIDS.
Raffi continues to inspire a generation of children and their parents with his music Ray Charles Robinson although blind, was a talented musician Reba McEntire is the ‘Queen of Country’ music and a generous humanitarian. Scott Joplin
composed operatic
and ragtime music.
Shania Twain is a beloved country music singer who overcame the odds. Stephen Sondheim composed popular Broadway musicals. Steveland Morris
(a.k.a. Stevie Wonder) is an incredible pianist and singer. Todor Proeski
was a famous Macedonian singer-songwriter who held benefit concerts for UNICEF.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
prolific and influential classical music composer Wynton Marsalis is dedicated to passing on the benefits of music education to young people.
MUSICIAN HERO:
JOHN DENNER
by Karen Judd
John Denner (John Denner, LLC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuepuSokn9M
John Denner plays lead guitar. He plays it with astounding precision and fiery passion. But that’s not the reason John Denner is a hero. There are many people who play guitar. Maybe even a few of them are as good as John.
But John plays the guitar without a right hand. It’s not a gimmick. He was born that way.
Certainly, anyone with a disability who makes it in this world deserves respect and appreciation. But John goes beyond what most of us consider courageous. All his life John has dealt with — and broken — the barriers of physical limitation.
Growing up in Connecticut, John was determined to join his friends in games and sports. In a constant battle to overcome his fears and doubts, John excelled at baseball, became a gifted sketch artist, and mastered every video game he tried. But it was his love of the guitar that would prove to be his biggest obstacle and his most poignant triumph.
John doesn’t read music. He taught himself to play lead guitar by listening to Eddie Van Halen’s “Eruption;” one of the hardest guitar solos in rock history. He trained himself to hear deeply, to “feel” every variation in sound and then find a way to translate it into technique. It’s possible that reading music might not have produced such a profound aptitude. But regardless of the path, before John could try one chord or pick one note, he had to figure out a way to play without a right hand.
John dreamed of getting a prosthetic hand. Playing the guitar didn’t seem remotely possible without one. A well known manufacturer once gave him the opportunity to try one, and for a few glorious hours, John believed he would master the guitar at last. Sadly, John’s dream of a full hand was never realized. Crushed by skyrocketing costs and uncooperative insurance companies, John put his guitar down for nearly 10 years.
But even after a decade, the longing to play just wouldn’t die. John could feel it in his bones. He was meant to play the guitar. He was meant to overcome this.
And so one day … he did.
On his own — without help from insurance companies or high-tech prosthetics — John found a way to live his dream. He invented a sleeve that fit over the end of his right arm; a sleeve that could hold a pick. Once he was comfortable strumming the guitar, he began at last to explore the instrument he loved.
Today, in his thirties, John is being celebrated as one of the most electrifying guitar players in rock today
But that’s not the reason John Denner is a hero either.
In the first flush of public acclaim, John didn’t just savor his own success. After realizing he really had done the impossible, his next move was to share. A heart that opened so deeply to feel music, immediately connected to the anguish of those with similar challenges. He knew what it was to live with doubt. He wanted every one with limb loss to know they didn’t have to suffer. He wanted to tell them not to give up their dreams, no matter how improbable they might seem.
Looking for a way to get his message out, John immediately involved himself with the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA). As a volunteer, John will serve at a youth camp, helping young people deal with limb loss and birth defects. As an advocate, John joins the ACA in petitioning for insurance reform. State by state … legislature by legislature … the fight is on to uniformly mandate insurance coverage for upper body prosthetics. John and the ACA want insurance companies to reclassify upper body prosthetics from “cosmetic and not covered” to “fully covered” as vital to the health of all who suffer limb loss or birth defect.
In December of 2007, John joined the extraordinary staff and volunteers of Operation First Response (OFR) for a visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. OFR, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing personal and financial assistance to our nation’s wounded heroes and their families. John plans to go back often, to offer support, encouragement, even guitar lessons. And jam with other fellow musicians he met there.
John is determined that no one … no child, no veteran … should have to experience another moment, let alone a decade, of despair. He wants to do whatever he can to end the pain of believing that life has to be less, if one is not whole.
John Denner is a hero because he has an all-embracing, courageous heart.
John Denner is a hero because he believes his victory should be everyone’s victory.
If we are strong, our challenges teach us resourcefulness. But if we are lucky, our pain teaches us compassion.
John Denner is an inspiration to us all.
Written by Karen Judd
This story has been submitted by a guest user and does not necessarily represent the views of The My Hero Project or its staff.
Photos courtesy of John Denner, LLC
RELATED LINKS
Operation First Response Supporting wounded veterans and their families.
Amputee Coalition of America Support for amputees and others with limb loss.
John Denner Official Website
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Denner, John . “Biography.” [Online] Available http://www.johndennerrocks.com/bio.html.
Pinto, Amanda. “”Not having a right hand doesn’t fret this guitar hero.”.” New Haven Register.
More Featured Musician Heroes
Adan was a beloved Mexican singer who often donated
earnings to charity. Alexander Borodin was an accomplished chemist, composer and staunch advocate of women’s rights. Antonin Dvorák was a Czech composer who influenced other artists. Bessie Smith
‘Empress of the Blues,’ left a rich legacy in jazz, blues and rock and roll with her unexcelled artistry and emotion.
Bob Marley had a vision of One World, One Love. Charlie Parker was a great musician and father. Dexter Gordon was a musician nominated for an Oscar. Donald Knaack is a musician whose unique productions inspire people of all ages to explore, create and give back to others.
Ella Fitzgerald
was a beloved songstress who used her success to help people of all races, cultures and beliefs. Fela Kuti
was a revolutionary
musician from Nigeria. Frank Zappa was a musician and composer with a flair for the absurd. Franz Liszt was a musical composer and piano prodigy.
George Enescu was a famous Romanian violinist and composer. Inul Daratista is an Indonesian singer fighting to break cultural boundaries Jack Johnson is a musician who encourages kids to take care of the environment. Jimmy Page continues to be an inspiration to musicians worldwide.
Johan (Jean) Julius Christian Sibelius was an innovative modern composer. John Lennon was a singer/songwriter, member of The Beatles and peace activist. Johnny Hiland overcame a visual impairment to become a renowned guitarist. Katie Lee is a passionate advocate for wilderness.
Ludwig van Beethoven was one of the greatest composers of classical music. Marian Anderson was a world-renowned opera singer. Michael Franti sends a message of peace and tolerance through his music. mpower harnesses the power of music to change youth attitudes about mental health.
Nick Jonas inspires listeners to his music with his meaningful lyrics. Paul Hewson (Bono) is a musician, family man and humanitarian. Paul Robeson was
a performer who
was deeply
committed to
political causes. Philly Bongole Lutaaya was the first Ugandan to put a human face on AIDS.
Raffi continues to inspire a generation of children and their parents with his music Ray Charles Robinson although blind, was a talented musician Reba McEntire is the ‘Queen of Country’ music and a generous humanitarian. Scott Joplin
composed operatic
and ragtime music.
Shania Twain is a beloved country music singer who overcame the odds. Stephen Sondheim composed popular Broadway musicals. Steveland Morris
(a.k.a. Stevie Wonder) is an incredible pianist and singer. Todor Proeski
was a famous Macedonian singer-songwriter who held benefit concerts for UNICEF.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
prolific and influential classical music composer Wynton Marsalis is dedicated to passing on the benefits of music education to young people.