You can read and enjoy Vernon's story Espressivo by clicking here.
Thank you very much to everyone who has contributed to this year's showcase. If you missed any of the 55 inspirational true stories, you can catch up with them here.
Vernon grew up in Cheshire, England and studied Applied Linguistics and Literature at Liverpool University. He qualified as a teacher and worked in schools in Liverpool and London before setting off for Barcelona to learn Spanish and teach internationally. He now lives in Munich where he has taught English and Philosophy. He is currently taking paternity leave and studying classical guitar with the German virtuoso Johannes Kreusch, fulfilling a long-standing musical dream. He is married to a German native and they have three children, two girls and a boy.