Burn survivor sharing story through music
Graphic designer and budding entertainer Patrick ‘Jurick’ Matthews has grown accustomed to getting unwanted stares and questions from persons who are curious about his scars.
He recently summed up his life story in a track called Testimony, produced by Daybreak Muzic.
“It really expresses my life journey,” Jurick said. “They say when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade, and that is exactly what I am doing. I’m just giving thanks for life in this track and counting my blessings despite all of what I have been through. I am encouraging persons to do the same via this track. No matter what life throws at you, just don’t throw in the towel.”
Jurick said that the scars on his body are a result of a house fire in Rockfort, St Andrew, that saw him battling for his life for months in intensive care. He says he doesn’t have much memory of what transpired that day, but remembers waking up in a hospital to bad news.
“I was about five at the time and I lived with my mother and baby sister,” he said. “We all got burned up in the house, but when I woke up at the hospital I realised that they didn’t make it. I was in intensive care for a few months and the doctors were not sure if I was going to make it either. I was just five, but then and there I knew and understand the pain of losing my loved ones.
THANKFUL
“I am thankful for life, and these scars are a part of my identity from then until now. I have been looked at differently because of my physical appearance, but it doesn’t bother me at all. I am very confident in the skin I am in.”
The 28-year-old has recently shot the visuals for Testimony, as well as another track called Old Spice recorded on the Barcode Rhythm.
“My tracks are for everyone, the young at heart and the old but nuh cold,” he said. “I just want to remain consistent. In the months to come, I will also be featured on a project called Mask Face, which will also be produced by Daybreak Muzic. So the rest of the year will be really busy for us.”