Nick Vujicic ~ No Arms, No Legs and No Worries

If you're a parent you know the anticipation, and perhaps even the fears you felt before your first child was born. With technology as it is today, so much can now be discovered before hand. Fears can be laid to rest or plans can be made to accommodate complications. But it hasn't always been that way.

This is a true story about a young man named Nick Vujicic (that's pronounced voy-a-chich).
According to the world's standards, Nick was born with a severe physical disability. But in his mind he is not disabled at all. In fact Nick says that to be disabled you would have to be unable to do the things you want or need to do. And as challenging as it has been for him over the years, he has managed to conquer nearly every aspect of his life regardless of way he looks to the rest of the world. Nick also says there many people with a disability "in their mind" and that's what's preventing them from achieving great things in this life. Nick lives a life of extreme passion, unfathomable power and with purpose that drives him to places most of us will never know. Nick is courageous and arguably the most inspirational person alive. Nick has a story to tell for anyone who will listen. Are you ready to hear it?

A little over 25 years ago, in Brisbaine, Australia, a young pastor named Boris and his wife Dushka Vujicic, who was a midwife nurse at the time, were expecting their first child. By all accounts the pregnancy was normal and the baby seemed to be healthy. There are no words to describe how they felt on December 4, 1982 when, Nick, their first born son came into the world ~ without any arms or legs. They were given no warning signs nor did they have time to prepare themselves for what seemed to be a hopeless situation, both for them and their child. Even the doctors were in shock, unable to answer how or why this could have happened.

Nick's parents were devastated and confused to say the least. As Christians, they questioned how and why a loving God could let this happen. For months they, along with their entire church grieved over the birth of their baby. They even wondered whether or not he would survive. But tests proved that Nick was in fact a healthy baby. He just didn't happen to have any limbs. As time went on they couldn't help but be concerned and even a bit fearful of the quality of life this child would have. By God's grace, Nick's parents began to experience a peace that passes understanding and the strength, courage and wisdom they would need to raise a child with such a severe handicap.

Like every other 5 year old child his age, Nick too started school. Among other things, you might wonder how a person without arms or legs could actually get around. Well, Nick had help from his specially fitted motorized chair that he could control with his partial foot he lovingly calls his "chicken drumbstick". He enjoyed school and wanted to fit in and be like all of the other kids, but how does one do that when it is so glaringly obvious that you are so different. Even though Nick looked different on the outside he felt the same as any other kid on the inside; He just wanted to be loved and to know that everything was going to be okay. but everything was not okay, most of the time.

As we all know, people, even children can be cruel and unkind. And Nick had to endure all kinds of struggles and mistreatments, from being gawked at to being bullied. Nick tried to keep a positive outlook and he tried to make friends but at times the pressure was just too much. He would often stay home from school just to avoid the pain and suffering for awhile. He even went through bouts of anger and depression. Depression so deep that even as a young kid he contemplated ending his own life. But again, by the grace of God, Nicks family members were an endless source of comfort and encouragement during this very dark time in his life.

Although Nicks father was a pastor and he had been raised in the church, it wasn't until he was 15 years old when he fully grasped the truth, believed the gospel and gave his life over to the Jesus Christ. He then began to feel that God was giving him a passion to share his story and to help other people who were facing tremendous challenges in their life as well. He discovered that God truly did have a plan and a purpose for his life. And he wanted to show the world how awesome his God is and that he is a living, breathing miracle and if he can face and overcome challenges without any arms or legs than there is a good chance others can overcome whatever they are facing as well.

It's amazing when you think about how many things we "normal" people take for granted and complain about whenever we get a chance. It's sad really when you think about it. You see, over the years, through trial and error, Nick, a young main without any arms or legs has learned how get around quite well and how to take care of himself and basically live on his own. Among other things, he can shave, comb his hair, brush his teeth, get dressed, he can swim, play soccer and he can even type 43 words per minute with his little "chicken drumbstick". By the way, he calls his foot his chicken drumstick because a) it kind of looks like one and b) his dog likes to grab at it and naw on it for awhile.

By the age of 19 Nick had not only earned a double degree in accounting and financial planning he had also started his motivational speaking career. By the age of 23, Nick earned a very prestigious award from his home country of Australia called "Young Australian of the Year" award. This award recognizes young people for their outstanding excellence and service to their community, to their nation as well as their own personal accomplishments. This award is only given to truly remarkable and inspirational young people. Needless to say, Nick Vujicic was well deserving of this honor.

Since his first speaking engagement, Nick has traveled the world telling his story and motivating millions of people ~ from corporate executives to elementary school children. He particularly has a passion for the youth of today. He will be traveling to over 20 countries this year alone. Now at age 25, Nick is also a successful stockmarket and real estate investor, and he is the CEO of his own company.

Nick has also produced 2 motivational DVDs. One is called Life Without Limbs: Life's Greater Purpose and the other is No Arms, No legs, No worries. I have seen both. They are nothing short of amazing and inspirational to say the least. Nick has an endearing smile, boyish charm, quick wit and quirky sense of humor like no other. In no way do you leave feeling like "wow, I feel sorry for that guy." No, it's actually the other way around. You wonder if you are not the one disabled, at least mentally anyways. He has probably done more for God in his 25 years of life than most people twice his age. It is quite evident that Nick has a passion for life, for love and for people. He calls himself the "hugging machine". You might wonder how someone with out arms can hug, well, you'll just have to see him in action.

Nick is the kind of person you can't help but love, no matter what he looks like on the outside. Because he has such a big heart, that's really all you see. Through his speaking career and with the distribution of his DVDs Nick has literally "touched" millions of peoples lives. I guarantee you, most if not all who have seen him, heard is message and taken it to heart, have been changed forever. I know I have. And yet he will more than inspire you, he will challenge you to face whatever it is that is holding you back from realizing your dreams and he will encourage you to seek God to discover your greater purpose in this life. I would encourage everyone to get a hold of his DVDs and see for yourself "that all things are possible" with God.

You can find Nick on the web at www.Lifewithoutlimbs.org and www.Attitudeisaltitude.com