Life Without Limbs: Nick Vujicic

Life Without Limbs: Nick Vujicic
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Never Give Up
New York City, March 2, 2009:

With the help of his older brother, my youngest son, Nicky, created a posthumous certificate of appreciation for Helen Keller this weekend.

It reads, “This certificate is awarded to Helen Keller for being a good woman and teaching other blind and deaf people.”

He wasn’t exactly sure why his first grade class had this project, so I inferred that the teacher wanted them to appreciate someone who made the most of her life and inspired millions, despite not having some of the senses most of us take for granted.

During hard times like these I think it is a good example to be reminded of, because everyday it seems that I know of more and more people who are losing their jobs, homes and sense of self-worth.

Thus, it is good to be reminded that despite the circumstances, despite one’s suddenly inability to pay the bills, despite the devastation and losses that some people are having to endure, one must never give up.

Because there are and have been many people who either have had far less than we have or were up against far greater odds, and yet they never gave up and ultimately, they were able to lead extraordinary lives, much like Helen Keller.

This morning my dear mother sent me a video about one such fellow by the name of Nick Vujicic who declares “I have no limbs, but I have my little chicken drumstick.” This 25 year old man was born without arms or legs, but managed nonetheless to pull himself up (literally) from what most of us might imagine is a condition of permanent despair, and has been able to turn his blight into a marvelous blessing and incredibly inspiring message that he now carries as a missionary across the world.

Take just two minutes to watch this short video and you’ll immediately see what I mean:
“ Are you going to finish strong?”

If you're as inspired to know more as I was, I recommend watching this Australian 60 Minutes segment about his life story: “ No Limbs, No Limits” (running time: 13:34).

Here are some transcript excerpts:

Peter Overton: This 25-year-old Australian is climbing over every obstacle life puts in front of him and he's doing it with style. You really can do anything, can't you?

Nick Vujicic: Well, there's no harm in believing so. Everybody's going through something, you know, we are all going through something. It's just my pain is a bit more visible than yours or somebody else. When that clicked, it was like a light bulb went... ..just flashed in my brain. I'm like "Hey, now life I see as an opportunity." "This circumstance, there's gotta be something good."

Peter Overton: No arms, no legs...

Nick Vujicic: No worries, mate!

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Peter Overton: Do you pray for arms and legs?

Nick Vujicic: Every now and then I do, I do pray for arms and legs. I do have faith that God can, right now in front of us, just come down with his light or whatever and bang! I have arms and legs. But the joy of having no limbs and being able to be used in such a unique way and powerful way for people like... you can't give me any amount of money to even consider taking a magical pill to have arms and legs right now. I am here tonight to tell you this - that no matter who you are no matter what you are going through that God knows it, he is with you, he is going to pull you through.

If you want to contact Nick, or find out more information please visit the website: www.lifewithoutlimbs.org

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Other Inspiring Stories About Some Who Never Gave Up

— Helen Keller, both blind and deaf for most of her life, yet went on to become one of the most inspirational and accomplished figures of our time.
— Harvey Milk, martyr, revolutionary and social activist who led the way for gay rights and equal political representation.
— Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the United States who was self-taught and led the fight against slavery.
— Christopher Reeve, best known for his portrayal of Superman, he was paralyzed after a horse riding accident, but preserved for almost ten more years, championing the cause for people with spinal cord injuries and human embryonic stem cell research.
— Stephen Hawking, despite being stricken with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which has left him almost completely paralyzed, he is a world-renowned theoretical physicist and a record-breaking best selling author.
— Randy Pausch, author of The Last Lecture, who knew he was dying from pancreatic cancer, and decided to make the most of his last days by leaving behind an inspiring lecture of hope about “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.”
— Jill Bolte Taylor, a neurologist who was able to “observe” her own stroke as it happened, and after recovering, went on to share her inspiring insights gained from her experience.