Nick Vujicic, famous for his inspirational speeches, was born without limbs in his body. However, instead of letting his disability deter his everyday life, he took it as a challenge, using it to change millions of lives with the same faith that kept him going. As a child of ten, he always wondered why he was different from others, and decided to drown himself since he saw no purpose to his living.
However, he stopped himself in time, thinking of his loving parents and how much it would hurt them to see him dead. From then on, there was no looking back for this young man, who now has founded his own organization, called ‘Life Without Limbs’. He has released motivational films, like 'Life's Greater Purpose' and 'Biography of a Determined Man of Faith'.
He has also written a book titled 'Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life'. This speaker has even acted in a short film, ‘The Butterfly Circus’, earning the film three awards, and bagging one himself, for his brilliant portrayal of a man very much like himself, who is given a second chance to love himself. He is a devout Christian, believing that God loves everyone equally, and has taken it upon himself to spread the message to everyone around the world.
Nick's Motivational Quotes:
If you can’t get a miracle, become one.
It’s a lie to think you’re not good enough. It’s a lie to think you’re not worth anything.
The challenges in our lives are there to strengthen our convictions. They are not there to run us over.
Don’t put your life on hold so that you can dwell on the unfairness of past hurts.
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.
To wish for change will change nothing. To make the decision to take action right now will change everything!
We may have absolutely no control over what happens to us, but we can control how we respond. If we choose the right attitude, we can rise above whatever challenges we face.
Risk, then, is not just part of life. It is life. The place between your comfort zone and your dream is where life takes place.
Fear is the biggest disability of all. And will paralyze you more than being in a wheelchair.
Having faith, beliefs, and convictions is a great thing, but your life is measured by the actions you take based upon them.
You may not have a clue of what lies ahead, but it’s better to act on life than simply let life act on you.
You should never live according to what you lack.
There are two types of risk in life: the danger of trying and the danger of not trying.
As long as you are aware and in control of your emotions, negative thoughts can produce positive consequences.
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
Bio:
Nick was born in 1982 in Melbourne, Australia. Without any medical explanation or warning, Nick came into the world with neither arms nor legs. He was born with an extremely rare congenital disorder known as Phocomelia. Throughout his childhood, Nick dealt not only with the typical challenges of school and adolescence, such as bullying and self-esteem issues, he also struggled with depression and loneliness as he questioned why he was different from all the other kids. He couldn't get the haunting question of “Why was I the one born without arms and legs?” out of his head.
As Nick grew up, he learned to deal with his disability and gradually accomplished more on his own. A janitor at his high school inspired him to start speaking publicly about overcoming adversity, so Nick starting speaking to small groups of students when he was 17.
After high school, Nick went onto tertiary education and obtained a double Bachelor's degree, majoring in Accounting and Financial Planning, from Griffith University in Logan, Australia. By the age of 19, Nick started to fulfill his dream of encouraging other people by giving speeches revolving around his life story. He found the purpose to his existence, and also the purpose in his circumstance.
Nick gradually figured out how to live a full life without limbs, adapting many of the daily skills limbed people accomplish without thinking. Nick writes with two toes on his left foot and a special grip that slid onto his big toe. He knows how to use a computer and can type up to 45 words per minute using the "heel and toe" method. He has also learned to throw tennis balls, play drum pedals, get a glass of water, comb his hair, brush his teeth, answer the phone and shave, in addition to participating in golf, swimming, and even sky-diving.
During secondary school, he was elected captain of MacGregor State in Queensland and worked with the student council on fundraising events for local charities and disability campaigns. When he was seventeen, he started to give talks at his prayer group.
Eventually coming to terms with his disability, Nick decided to become vocal about living with disabilities and finding hope and meaning in life.
Nick has also founded an international non-profit organisation and ministry, Life Without Limbs, through which he campaigns against bullying. Brimming with life, Nick loves to paint, swim, skydive, and surf. He has also published his memoir "Love Without Limits", which is an international bestseller.
Nick eventually made the move from Brisbane, Australia to Los Angeles, California, where he is the founder and president of an international nonprofit organization, Life Without Limbs, and owns the motivational speaking company, Attitude Is Altitude.
Since his first motivational speaking engagement back when he was a teenager, Nick has traveled to over 57 countries, sharing his story with over 400 million of people. Nick is the author of Life Without Limits, Unstoppable (a New York Times best-seller), Limitless, Stand Strong and Love Without Limits. His books have been translated into over 30 different languages and have sold more than a million copies internationally.
Nick’s story continues to resonate worldwide, and he has been featured on “CBS Sunday Morning,” “Oprah’s LifeClass,” “PBS Religion & Ethics News Weekly,” USA Today, NewsMax, “Life Today” and “The 700 Club,” and twice on “60 Minutes Australia.” Christianity Today magazine named him one of the “33 under 33” who are shaping the next chapter in American faith.
Facts:
Nicholas James Vujicic the eldest son of Dushka and Boris was born in Melbourne, Australia, on December 4, 1982. The infant, though healthy in all other aspects, was born with autosomal recessive tetra-amelia, a rare condition where the child has no limbs at all, except feet with just two toes. Initially, it was quite difficult for the child and his family to cope up with the troubles that accompany the absence of hands and legs. He wasn't even allowed to study in a normal school, even though there was nothing wrong with his IQ. He gradually learnt to use his feet to write, type, play, and shave. He pursued his secondary education from the 'Runcorn State High School', Queensland, Australia, where he was also the head boy. He was also on the student council that carried out humanitarian work.
When Nick, as he is known, turned seventeen, he started delivering speeches in his church group. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Commerce, specializing in financial planning and accountancy, from the 'Griffith University' in Queensland. As a speaker, he mainly addresses school children, young adults, and working professionals. He has also spoken at various churches, all across the globe, because he believes that Christ loves him as He loves all his children. In his career, Nick has travelled to more than sixty countries around the world, and has touched the lives of millions of people. In 2005, he established an NGO named 'Life Without Limbs', which has its headquarters in Agoura Hills, California.
In the same year, Vujicic released the DVD of a documentary movie, titled 'Life's Greater Purpose'. The film talks about the motivational speaker's childhood, how he learned to use whatever was there of his limbs, and his married life.
In March 2008, Nick appeared in the '20/20' television series aired in the United States, for an interview, taken by presenter Bob Cummings.
In 2009, Vujicic featured in a short film titled 'The Butterfly Circus', directed by Joshua Weigel. It also starred Mexican actor, Eduardo Verástegui, and American Doug Jones.
The movie won a lot of accolades, including the first prize awarded by the 'Doorpost Film Project', and the 'Best Short Film' at the 'Method Fest Independent Film Festival', as well as the 'The Feel Good Film Festival'.
In 2010, Nick wrote a book, 'Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life', under the banner of publishing company, 'Random House'. He also released a DVD titled 'Biography of a Determined Man of Faith'. Vujicic gave a heart-rending speech in Switzerland, at the 'World Economic Forum', for their Annual Meeting's special session, 'Inspired for a Lifetime', in 2011.
Major Works
Nick is an evangelist who is known for his organization, ‘Life Without Limbs’, that hosts events and presents talks on courage and faith in God to overcome any adversity faced in life.
Awards & Achievements
In 1990, Vujicic's determination and courage impressed the world, and he was felicitated with the 'Australian Young Citizen Award'.
He was one of the contenders for the 'Young Australian of the Year Award' in the year 2005. In 2010, he won the 'Best Actor in Short Film' award at the 'Method Fest Independent Film Festival' for his performance in the role of Will, from the movie 'The Butterfly Circus'.