If You’re Feeling Sorry for Yourself…

Joseph sent me this video, which we’ve posted 5 months ago. It’s worth a repeat.

~Steve

…………………..

…watch this.

Then get down on your knees and thank God for what you have.

His name is Nick Vujicic.

The eldest child of a Serbian family in Melbourne, Australia, Vujicic (pronounced ‘Vooy-ee-chich’) was born in 1982 with Tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of all four limbs.

Born limbless — legless and missing both arms at shoulder level — Vujicic had feet that were toeless except for two toes on one foot. Initially, his parents were devastated, though the baby was otherwise healthy.

Originally prohibited by Victoria state law from attending a mainstream school because of his physical disability, even though he was not mentally impaired, Vujicic became one of the first disabled students integrated into a mainstream school, once the laws changed.

Vujicic was bullied at school and grew depressed. When he was 8, he began thinking of suicide. At age 10, he tried to drown himself, but did not go through with it out of love for his parents.

He prayed for arms and legs. But sometimes our prayers are answered, though not exactly what we had prayed for.

A key turning point came when his mother showed him a newspaper article about a man dealing with a severe disability. Vujicic realized he wasn’t unique in his struggles and gradually accepted his own physical disability.

Vujicic began to master the daily tasks of life — how to comb his hair, brush his teeth, get a glass of water, answer the phone, and shave. He learned to write, type, and use a computer using the two toes on his left foot. He learned to throw tennis balls and play drum pedals. He became grateful for his life.

In 7th grade, he was elected captain of his school and worked with the student council on fund-raising events for local charities and disability campaigns. When he was 17, he started giving talks at his prayer group. At age 21, he graduated from Griffith University with a double major in Accounting and Financial Planning.

Vujicic became a preacher and motivational speaker to inspire others with his life and accomplishments. He founded a non-profit organization, Life Without Limbs. He travels internationally and has spoken before over three million people — to corporate groups, congregations and schools — in more than 24 countries on five continents.

Vujicic promotes his work through television shows and through his writing. His first book, Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life (Random House, 2010) was published in 2010. He has a motivational DVD, Life’s Greater Purpose, a short documentary filmed in 2005 highlighting his home life and regular activities, and a DVD for young people titled: No Arms, No Legs, No Worries: Youth Version.

In 2005 Vujicic was nominated for the “Young Australian of the Year” Award. He currently lives in California.

Here’s his website.

H/t my dear friend Bill.

~Eowyn