There are many doubters out there.
Even if you have all your mental and physical faculties, there will be no end to those who will tell you that your dream is impossible or too impractical or that there are better things to do with your life.
If a normal person can face such an emotional battering, it’s even worse for those who have disabilities.
Watch the video to meet Keith who was born without a right hand.
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Video credit: Rumble
However, Keith Xander, who was born without his right hand, faced a deluge of people who told him that his disability had already pre-determined what he could and couldn’t do in life. But he proved them all wrong by not only becoming a guitarist, but he also formed his own successful rock band where he is also the lead singer.
Keith was determined but he didn’t do it alone. He had a small circle of supporters who looked beyond his disability and gave him help and encouragement and that provided enough of an impetus for him to succeed in becoming a rock star.
Keith’s big brother Stu played the guitar and Keith wanted to be just like him. Musical events like Woodstock and idols like Carlos Santana, Prince, and Jimi Hendrix fueled Keith’s dreams to become a musician. However, a lot of people kept telling him it just wasn’t possible for him to follow in the footsteps of these legends.
All that changed when he was 13 after a teacher suggested that Keith place a broken ruler in his hook to serve as an improvised plectrum. This everyday “guitar playing hook” encouraged Keith to pursue the rock ’n’ roll dream he always wanted.
The 40-year-old now has a band of his own called Xander and the Peace Pirates along with his brother Stu, 43, Joel Goldberg, 44, bass, Mike Gay, 35, slide guitar, and Adam Goldberg, 41, at the drums.
They formed the band in 2014 in Liverpool, home of The Beatles, and their forte is combining soul, blues, and rock in performances that entrance audiences the world over.
From being told that he couldn’t achieve anything as a musician, Keith and his band have become a mainstay at the legendary Cavern Club and even recorded their debut album.
Keith said: “The main thing that we hope to accomplish with the music is to free people’s minds from their self-imposed limitations.
“We want to help people to see that anything is possible if you put your mind into it, put your focus into it, and believe you can do it and to see the possibility and potential to do great things.
“To overcome our limited thinking is a huge thing for us all and is one of the most important things to realize. We can all overcome our limitations with the right knowledge.
“We aim to manifest peace and harmony through music. To inspire people to create something positive. If I can play the guitar, you can play the guitar.
“The main reaction I get is inspiration, which in turn is inspiring to me and the rest of the band, which is a beautiful thing.”
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