Nick Vujicic (pronounced VOO-yee-cheech) was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1982. Despite having three sonograms that all failed to show his situation, Nick was born without any discernable arms or legs, but instead with just a small ‘flipper-like’ limb where his left leg should have been. It took Nick a long time to fully come to terms with his condition and the bullying that came as a result of it. Instead Nick endured the everyday struggles of a child and then teenager along with the added trials of being limbless.
At the age of fifteen Nick became an avid Christian and in his own words, ‘from there it has been an amazing journey.’ After being inspired by his school janitor to speak publicly about his condition, he began speaking to small groups of people for the next two years, before finding himself in front of a hall of 300 grade 10 students, an experience that he said made his knees shake. During the talk many of the students appeared to be sobbing, one so loudly that everyone turned to look at her. The girl in question raised her hand and asked ‘I am so sorry to interrupt, but can I come up and hug you?’ and upon doing so whispered ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you. No one has ever told me that they loved me and that I am beautiful the way I am.’
This event inspired Nick further and he has since gone on to speak publicly over 2,000 times in 44 different countries, writing books including ‘Life Without Limits’ and ‘Unstoppable’ and filming DVDs of his experiences including ‘Nick: Biography of Determined Man’ and ‘No Arms No Legs No Worries!’ all focused on how being different can be seen not as a burden but a blessing and seeking to encourage and inspire people all over the world to accept who they are and live life to the fullest. He is also extremely funny!
‘Dream big my friend and never give up. We all make mistakes, but none of us are mistakes. Take one day at a time. Embrace the positive attitudes, perspectives, principles and truths I share, and you too will overcome.’
Check out one of his amazing speeches at