Nick Vujicic

Nicholas James "Nick" Vujicic (/ˈvɔɪɪtʃɪtʃ/ VOY-i-chich; Serbian: Николас Џејмс Вујичић, Nikolas Džejms Vujičić, pronounced [ʋûjit͡ʃit͡ɕ];^[2] born 4 December 1982) is an Australian Christian evangelist and motivational speaker born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterised by the absence of all four limbs. As a child, he struggled mentally and emotionally as well as physically, but eventually came to terms with his disability and, at the age of seventeen, started his own non-profit organisation, Life Without Limbs. Vujicic presents motivational speeches worldwide which focus on life with a disability, hope and finding meaning in life. He also speaks about his belief that God can use any willing heart to do his work and that God is big enough to overcome any disability.

During secondary school, Vujicic was elected captain of Runcorn State High School 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^[3] and later founded his non-profit organisation, Life Without Limbs.

Vujicic has written that he keeps a pair of shoes in his closet due to his belief in miracles.^[4] In 1990 he won the Australian young citizen award for his bravery and perseverance. In 2005 Vujicic was nominated for the Young Australian of the Year Award.^[5]

Career

Vujicic speaking during the session "Inspired for a Lifetime" at the Annual Meeting 2011 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on 30 January 2011

Vujicic graduated from Griffith University at the age of 21 with a Bachelor of Commerce, with a double major in accountancy and financial planning. Subsequently he became a motivational speaker, travelling internationally and focusing on teenage problems. Having addressed over three million people in almost 60 countries on five continents,^[6] he speaks to corporate audiences, congregations and schools.

Vujicic promotes his work through television shows and through his writing. His first book, Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life was published by Random House in 2010. He markets a motivational DVD, Life's Greater Purpose, a short documentary filmed in 2005 highlighting his home life and regular activities. The second part of the DVD was filmed at his local church in Brisbane – one of his first professional motivational speeches. He markets a DVD for young people titled No Arms, No Legs, No Worries!.^[7]

In March 2008, he was interviewed by Bob Cummings for the 20/20 American television show.

He starred in the short film The Butterfly Circus, which won the Doorpost Film Project's top prize of 2009.^[8] In 2010, the film also won two awards as the Best Short Film at the 2010 Method Fest Independent Film Festival. At the same film festival, Vujicic was awarded Best Actor in Short Film for his starring performance as Will.^[9] Butterfly Circus also won the best short film award at The Feel Good Film Festival in Hollywood in 2010.^[10]

Vujicic is a motivational speaker with TED.^[11][12]

He also appeared as a special guest with global leadership authority John C. Maxwell for an inspirational day of leadership training on Monday, Jan. 26, at the Pensacola Bay Center. With the support of The John Maxwell Team, Nick and John were able to raise money for the Sacred Heart Foundation.^[13]

See also

• Hirotada Ototake, a sports writer and another survivor of tetra-amelia syndrome.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nick Vujicic.

• Life Without Limbs
• Attitude is Altitude
• Video interview with Vujicic
• Nick Vujicic pictures and Wedding