Don’t Worry Be Happy

by Susan L Stackpole

Bobby McFerrins colorful Don’t Worry, Be Happy plays cheerily in the background while the camera maintains a close headshot of handsome, twenty-seven year old, Nick Vujicic. Beaming from ear to ear, he says, My name is Nick Vujicic, and I love traveling around the world, fishing, golfing, and swimming. I love living life. I am happy.

So what makes Nick Vujicic so special? He has no arms with which to high five and hug those he loves. He has no legs with which to walk, run, kick, and jump. He is completely limbless and limited in accomplishing tasks that most consider easy and even mundane. He does, however, have a heart that seems to defy the physical limits of his body and encompass everyone he meets in an ocean of love and positive energy. Nick gives new meaning to the words Yes, I can, living his life without limits.

Born in Melbourne Australia on 4 December 1982, Nick was the first-born child to a devout Australian Serbian-Christian family. Vujicic, while otherwise healthy, had the rare Tetra-Amelia disorder, which left him essentially limbless, with the exception of one small foot with two toes protruding from his left thigh. Vujicics parents were originally devastated. Difficulties and hardships challenged Nick and his parents. Nick was originally unable to attend mainstream school because of physical difficulty; however, changes in Australian law eventually allowed him to be one of the first disabled students to attend mainstream school. Nick learned to write using the two toes on his left foot and a special device attached to his big toe. He learned to type on the computer using the heel and toe method. He went on to teach himself to answer the telephone, throw tennis balls, shave, and get a glass of water. Nick went on to graduate from college at twenty-one with a double major in Accounting and Financial Planning. Nick, at age eight, became depressed and suicidal after being regularly bullied at school. Begging God for arms and legs, Nick began realizing that his accomplishments were inspiring others, and he soon began thanking God for being alive. A key turning point for Nick was when his mother showed him a newspaper article about another man challenged by extreme disabilities, and it was at this moment, Nick realized he was not alone. He began delivering inspirational talks at his prayer groups, eventually branching out to schools and other organizations. He began his own non-profit organization, Life Without Limbs, www.lifewithoutlimbs.org. Today, Nick travels the world sharing his message, which he feels to be God’s ministry. Nick has spoken to over two million people in twelve countries on four continents (Africa, Asia, Australia, and North America). Nick set a goal of financial independence for himself and has gone about a achieving it. He created a motivational DVD, Life’s Greater Purpose, found on www.lifewithoutlimbs.com, which illustrates how he lives life without limbs and also captures one of his first professional motivational speeches given at a local church in Brisbane. No Arms, No Legs, No Worries, another of Nick’s DVDs, is available through his corporate motivational speaking company, Attitude is Altitude. His inspirational speeches may also be found on the Premiere Speakers Bureau Website, www.premierespeakers.com/nick_vujicic. Nick’s first international television interview with Bob Cummings on 20/20 (ABC) aired 28 March, 2008. Nick is currently at work finishing his book, No Arms, No Legs, No Worries set for completion at the end of 2009.

When asked about having arms and legs, Nick answered, Do I still desire [arms and legs]? you know what? I actually do. I’m not discouraged if he doesn’t give it to me. And it’s not that I’m not content. Cause I am content. I’m fine. It’s such a big, big ministry that God’s given me and such a beautiful thing to witness people’s hearts being changed and transformed because of the testimony that we bring of God’s glory, grace and perfection. I’m still believing for the miracle. Nick is already a living miracle and inspiration and perhaps a real live angel. In the words of Bobby McFerrin and Nick Vujicic, Don’t Worry, Be Happy. We love you, Nick!
To learn more about Nick, please visit http://nick.thesecret2u.com and http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org

Category: East meets West, Guest Columnist