Performing Arts and Music
Every person matters. Strong through diversity. Different? Unique!
Joshua-Liam Kiesch
Country: Germany
Disease: SMA
Joshua is 21 years old and is an alert young man. He lives in a small town near the beautiful Loreley. He is currently doing a voluntary social year (FSJ) at a school, which he enjoys very much. In his free time, he likes to act in the local theater group, take photos, and edit videos. Family and friends are very important to him, and he enjoys spending time with them. Joshua has experienced a lot in his life, which has shaped him into the person he is today. At an early age, Joshua was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). No matter what life still holds for Joshua, he will face everything with his positive attitude and will not let it bring him down. Through social media, he talks about his condition and tries to reduce barriers between people with and without disabilities.
It is important to him that everyone is seen as they are, and not defined by their disability.
Here is a picture of Joshua during a performance.
Noh Gourie
Country: Germany
Website: niemalsohnehoffnung
Disease: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)
NOH, whose stage name stands for “Never Without Hope,” is a rapper and audio engineer from Paderborn who has suffered from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy since childhood – a progressive neuromuscular disease that gradually breaks down muscles. Despite undergoing a tracheostomy at the age of 24, being dependent on ventilation, and having limited mobility – he can only move his head and two fingers – he has been living independently since 2014 in his own apartment with 24-hour care.
Creative Path
Music became therapy for NOH: it helps him forget pain and worries and gives him the feeling of being healthy. Especially at night, as a night owl in his studio apartment, he raps with great energy – supported by a self-developed breathing technique and assistive tools. His faith in God and projects with the German Duchenne Foundation further strengthen him.
Achievements and Presence
NOH has released two rap albums, including “Niemals ohne Hoffnung” (2019), featuring hits like “Was wäre wenn” (over 84,000 YouTube views). He impressed audiences with live performances, backstage experiences with Xavier Naidoo, and encounters with football stars such as Thomas Müller. On platforms like Instagram, Facebook (over 11,000 subscribers), TikTok (over 20,000 followers), YouTube, and Spotify, countless fans follow his inspiring life.
In the “Creative Instead of Muscleman” community, NOH impressively demonstrates how music can break physical barriers and ignite pure joy for life despite muscular disease – an inspiring role model for hope and artistic strength.