Nick Vujicic

Nick Vujicic

Vujicic speaking in 2016
Born Nicholas James Vujicic
(1982-12-04) 4 December 1982
Melbourne, Australia
Ethnicity Serbian Australian
Education Bachelor's degrees in accounting and financial planning
Alma mater Griffith University
Occupation Evangelist, motivational speaker
Religion Christian
Spouse(s) Kanae Miyahara (m. 2012)
Children 2
Website nickvujicic.com

Nicholas James "Nick" Vujicic (/ˈvuːjiːtʃiːtʃ/ VOO-yee-cheech;[1] Serbian pronunciation: [ʋûjitʃitɕ]); born 4 December 1982[2]) is an Australian Christian evangelist and motivational speaker born with Phocomelia,[3] a rare disorder characterised by the absence of legs and arms. As a child, he struggled mentally and emotionally as well as physically, but eventually came to terms with his disability. He presents motivational speeches worldwide which focus on living with disabilities and finding hope and meaning in life.[4]

Despite issues with bullying and depression during his childhood, Vujicic thrived in his teenage and young adult years. During secondary school, he was elected vice captain of Runcorn State High School in Queensland and worked with the student council on fundraising events for local charities and disability campaigns. After his mother showed him a newspaper article about a man dealing with a severe disability when he was seventeen, he started to give talks at his prayer group[5] and later founded his non-profit organisation, Life Without Limbs.[6] He has also founded a motivational speaking company, Attitude Is Altitude.[7]

Vujicic has written that he keeps a pair of shoes in his closet due to his belief in miracles.[8]

Early life and family

Vujicic was born in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1982. His parents were from devout Christian families in the part of Yugoslavia now known as Serbia. Both of his parents immigrated to Australia; his mother, Dušanka, in 1964 and his father, Borislav Vujičić, in 1969.[9] His parents became active in a Melbourne church. His mother attended nursing school at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne while his father worked in business management.[10]

Birth

Several days before Vujicic was born, there was no indication anything was amiss with him. Three sonograms failed to reveal any complications. According to Vujicic's story, after he was born, his mother asked the medical staff about his health and there was no answer from the nurses. When his mother asked the doctor about what had happened to the baby, the doctor mentioned the syndrome known as phocomelia. Since his mother worked as a midwife, she understood the term. According to Vujicic's story, his mother refused to see him or hold him while the nurse held him in front of her, but she and her husband eventually accepted their son's condition and understood it as God's plan for their son.[11][12]

Childhood

Vujicic's parents often worried about him when he was a child, but he demonstrated a degree of independence despite his disability. Even though his mother gave him a cushion to support himself, young Vujicic taught himself how to stand up by leaning his forehead over the wall and slowly standing himself upright. He was born with two small deformed feet, one of which Vujicic calls his "chicken drumstick" because of its shape.[13] Originally, he was born with the toes of that foot fused. An operation was performed to separate the toes so that he could use them as fingers to grab, turn a page, or perform other functions. Even though the operation did not go as well as the doctor wanted, Vujicic has been able to use his foot to operate an electric wheelchair, a computer and a mobile phone. Vujicic notes that he had had an "amazingly normal childhood". On 19 April 2016, his father, Boris Vujicic, is due to publish a new memoir about raising his son.[14][15][16]

Education

Despite early challenges, Vujicic graduated from Griffith University at the age of 21 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, with a double major in accountancy and financial planning.[17][18]

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

Evangelical work

Since his first speaking engagement at age 19, Vujicic has travelled around the world to share his story.[19] In 2005, he founded an international non-profit organisation and ministry, Life Without Limbs.[20] Vujicic notes that he has been fortunate enough to spread his message and share his story in churches, prisons, orphanages, hospitals and stadiums as well as with individuals. He has said that "If God can use a man without arms and legs to be His hands and feet, then He will certainly use any willing heart!"[21] In 2013, Vujicic travelled to 24 countries where he not only preached in large venues but also met with government officials, including the President of Singapore, Tony Tan,[22] the President of Uruguay, Jose Mujica[23] and Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou.[24] Vujicic said in 2014 that he intends to share his message with 400 million more people.[25] He has spoken more than 3,000 times in more than 57 countries on five continents. He has attracted audiences as large as 110,000.[26]

Message of hope

Vujicic offers his readers and listeners advice for life. He urges his listeners that the way to find hope even in the hardest of situations is not to just maintain a positive attitude, but to find strength in a personal relationship with God. His advice to people with similar disabilities is to understand that they are loved by God and that God sees them and their actions. Vujicic advises readers not to wallow in self pity, but to learn to accept the gift of life, learn to laugh, give thanks to God and be willing to serve others before oneself. His main goal, he notes, is to share God's love with his readers and listeners, whom he wishes to experience the brightness and satisfaction he believes that God planned for them.[27] He often says that people ask him "why are you so happy?" He answers that he is happy because he is one of God’s creations and that there are no limits on his life and goals.[28][29] Vujicic has said that, when faced with opposition and mockery, a Christian's response should always be "to love".[30]

Motivational speaking

In 2007, Vujicic founded Attitude is Altitude, a secular motivational speaking company. As a speaker, Vujicic notes that his mission has been to use his perceived disability to start life-changing conversations with his listeners. His core message as a motivational speaker is that regardless of a person's circumstances, it is possible to overcome them and that obstacles can be turned into opportunities. Vujicic speaks to corporate audiences, governments, open air arenas and schools on topics as varied as ending bullying, inspiring positive change, persistence and determination, as well as his own life story.[31]

Other projects

Vujicic notes that he was bullied so badly during his childhood that he attempted suicide at just 10 years old. Likely influenced by this experience, Vujicic is involved with Stand Strong USA, a non-profit, secular, nationwide campaign which intends to end bullying and help teenagers and children dealing with depression. Vujicic was chosen as the organisation's keynote speaker in November 2015.[32]

Vujicic is also an actor and starred in the short film The Butterfly Circus, which won the Doorpost Film Project's top prize of 2009.[33] 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, he was awarded Best Actor in a Short Film for his starring performance as Will.[34] Butterfly Circus also won the best short film award at The Feel Good Film Festival in Hollywood in 2010.[35]

Vujicic is a motivational speaker with TED.[36][37]

In 2009 and 2013 Vujicic participated with the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of Hong Kong in an event titled "Unstoppable Hope: Nick Vujicic and friends in Concert".[38][39]

At the World Leaders Forum Inspirational Series held at Judson University, Vujicic was the inaugural speaker on 12 October 2015.[40]

In 2015, Vujicic was featured in a one-hour special on TLC (TV network).[41]

Personal life

Vujicic speaking to students in Florida in 2015

On 12 February 2012, Vujicic married Kanae Miyahara. Their first son, Kiyoshi James, was born in 2013, and their second, Dejan Levi, was born in August 2015.

Vujicic enjoys fishing, painting and swimming. He and his family live in Southern California.[42]

Awards and media appearances

In 1990, Vujicic won the Australian Young Citizen Award.

In 2005 he was nominated for the Young Australian of the Year.[43]

In 2007, Vujicic was a recipient of a Well Done Award through the Kingdom Assignment organization.[44]

In March 2008, Vujicic was interviewed by Bob Cummings for the 20/20 American television show.[45]

For his role in The Butterfly Circus, Vujicic won the Best Actor award for his debut performance.[46]

Christianity Today magazine named Vujicic one of the "33 under 33 shaping the next generation".[47]

Vujicic has appeared on A Date With Luyu, a popular Chinese television talk show which airs on Phoenix Television.[48]

Vujicic has been featured in publications such as The Huffington Post,[49] People magazine,[50] The Christian Post,[51] Thriving Family,[52] Inside Edition,[53] Joni & Friends,[54] and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.[55]

Vujicic has appeared on CBS News Sunday Morning,[56] USA Today,[57] Newsmax TV,[58] Oprah's LifeClass,[59] PBS's Religion & Ethics News Weekly,[60] Life Today with James Robison,[61] The 700 Club,[62] Hour of Power,[63] and twice on 60 Minutes in Australia.[64][65]

Books and publications

Vujicic promotes his work through television shows and his writing. His first book, Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life, was published by Random House in 2010 and has been translated into more than 30 languages.[66] Vujicic also markets a motivational DVD, Life's Greater Purpose, a short documentary filmed in 2005. 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!.[67]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Bio - Life Without Limbs". Life Without Limbs. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  2. ↑ "Life Without Limbs: About Nick Vujicic". Retrieved 28 September 2009.
  3. ↑ Born without arms and legs at BBC; published 23 February 2011; retrieved 18 November 2015.
  4. ↑ Vujicic, Nick. "Nick Vujicic | Spreading Hope Worldwide". www.nickvujicic.com. Retrieved 2016-03-09.
  5. ↑ Riley, Jennifer (30 March 2008). "Limbless Evangelist Preaches Joy in Christ". Christian Post Reporter. Retrieved 28 September 2009.
  6. ↑ Vujicic, Nick. "Nick Vujicic | Spreading Hope Worldwide". www.nickvujicic.com. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  7. ↑ "Nick Vijucic - Attitude is Altitude". Attitude is Altitude. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  8. ↑ "Nick Vujicic: Never Miss an Opportunity to Act Upon Your Faith | Gospelherald.net-Chinese Christian News Online". Gospelherald.net. 12 September 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  9. ↑ "Roditelji Nika Vujičića u Beogradu: Drago nam je što smo u zemlji naših predaka".
  10. ↑ Vujicic, Nick. "A Family of Faith", Life Without Limits, Doubleday, 2010. 1-343. Print.
  11. ↑ Vujicic, Nick. "A Life of Value", Life Without Limits, Doubleday, 2010. 1-343. Print.
  12. ↑ www.plainjoestudios.com, PlainJoe Studios. "Bio - Life Without Limbs". Life Without Limbs. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  13. ↑ "Nick Vijucic - Attitude is Altitude". Attitude is Altitude. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  14. ↑ Vujicic, Nick. "A Challenging Child", Life Without Limits, Doubleday 2010. 1-343. Print.
  15. ↑ www.plainjoestudios.com, PlainJoe Studios. "FAQ - Life Without Limbs". Life Without Limbs. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  16. ↑ "Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child by Boris Vujicic | PenguinRandomHouse.com". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  17. ↑ "Nick Vujicic | Speaker Profile and Speaking Topics". www.apbspeakers.com. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  18. ↑ Vujicic, Nick. "Nick Vujicic | Spreading Hope Worldwide". www.nickvujicic.com. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  19. ↑ www.plainjoestudios.com, PlainJoe Studios. "Bio - Life Without Limbs". Life Without Limbs. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  20. ↑ www.plainjoestudios.com, PlainJoe Studios. "Bio - Life Without Limbs". Life Without Limbs. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  21. ↑ www.plainjoestudios.com, PlainJoe Studios. "About Us - Life Without Limbs". Life Without Limbs. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  22. ↑ Chan, Ella (September 7, 2013). "Nick Vujicic Met Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam, Says The Seeds of Gospel Planted". CrossMap. Christian Media Corporation.
  23. ↑ "President Ma meets Australian motivational speaker Nick Vujicic". Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  24. ↑ "Evangelist Nick Vujicic Launches First-Ever Web Series on Preaching Christ Worldwide". Christian Post. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  25. ↑ "Interview with Nick - Evangelism | Radio | Joni and Friends". www.joniandfriends.org. Retrieved 2016-03-09.
  26. ↑ "Nick Vujicic / NYT Best Selling Author, International Speaker, Entrepreneur".
  27. ↑ Vujicic, Nick. "Introduction", Life Without Limits, Doubleday 2010. 1-343. Print.
  28. ↑ Vujicic, Nick. "If You Can't Get A Miracle, Become One", Life Without Limits, Doubleday 2010. 1-343. Print.
  29. ↑ www.plainjoestudios.com, PlainJoe Studios. "FAQ - Life Without Limbs". Life Without Limbs. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  30. ↑ "Running the Race With No Legs". Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  31. ↑ "Nick Vijucic - Attitude is Altitude". Attitude is Altitude. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  32. ↑ "About". Stand Strong Florida. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  33. ↑ "Butterfly Circus Wins The Doorpost Film Project's $100,000 First Prize". Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  34. ↑ "2010 Method Fest, Independent Film Festival, Calabasas, California". Methodfest.com. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  35. ↑ "Disabled World Towards Tomorrow". Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  36. ↑ Nick Vujicic on TED, YouTube.
  37. ↑ The Star
  38. ↑ "樂苗基金 PMA Music Foundation – www.pmf.org.hk". www.pmf.org.hk. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  39. ↑ "匡智會 Hong Chi Association". www.hongchi.org.hk. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  40. ↑ "Inspirational Series with Nick Vujicic | World Leaders Forum | Judson University". www.judsonu.edu. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  41. ↑ "See How Nick Vujicic Navigates Life with No Arms or Legs on TLC's Born Without Limbs". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  42. ↑ "Nick Vujicic shares family's excitement in awaiting arrival of second son Dejan Levi | Christian News on Christian Today". www.christiantoday.com. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  43. ↑ Mathur, Aditi (19 February 2012). "An Inspiration: Man Without Limbs; Orator-Author Nick Vujicic Enjoys Beach Honeymoon in Hawaii". International Business Times. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  44. ↑ "WDA - Well Done Awards Recipients". kingdomassignment.org. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  45. ↑ websites, cyberline. "Life Without Limbs :: Nick Vujicic". new.lifewithoutlimbs.org. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  46. ↑ Weigel, Joshua. "Best Short Film and Best Actor Awards at Method Fest Film Festival". Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  47. ↑ "Nick Vujicic Named One of 33 Leaders Shaping the Next Generation - WaterBrook Multnomah". WaterBrook Multnomah. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  48. ↑ "Watch: Nick Vujicic speaks to Lu Yu about a life without limbs". Shanghaiist. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  49. ↑ "One Man's Powerful Testimony Of Hope Against Bullying". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  50. ↑ "How a Man Born Without Arms and Legs Went on to Inspire Millions". people.com. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  51. ↑ "'Limbless Evangelist' Nick Vujicic: 'Sex Out of Marriage Is Like the Devil's Wine'". Christian Post. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  52. ↑ "'A Ridiculously Good Life'". www.thrivingfamily.com. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  53. ↑ "Limbless Man Tells Inside Edition How He Turns Obstacles Into Opportunities". Inside Edition. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  54. ↑ "Interview with Nick - Evangelism | Radio | Joni and Friends". www.joniandfriends.org. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  55. ↑ "Running the Race With No Legs". Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  56. ↑ "Against all odds". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  57. ↑ "NEWS: Nick Vujicic Featured in USA Today Weekend - WaterBrook Multnomah". WaterBrook Multnomah. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  58. ↑ "Nick Vujicic Author Biography" (PDF). WaterBrook Multnomah. WaterBrook Multnomah.
  59. ↑ "Oprah interviews Nick Vujicic: Born without limbs, living with no limits | Live Action News". Live Action News. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  60. ↑ "Watch Full Episodes Online of Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly on PBS | Nick Vujicic". PBS. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  61. ↑ International, LIFE Outreach. "Nick Vujicic". lifetoday.org. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  62. ↑ "Nick Vujicic: Life Without Limbs". CBN.com (beta). Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  63. ↑ Hour of Power with Bobby Schuller (2014-09-25), “Seek God’s Plan.” - Hour of Power Message - HOP2330, retrieved 2016-03-09
  64. ↑ "No Limbs, No Limits". sixtyminutes. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  65. ↑ "No Limbs, No Limits". sixtyminutes. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  66. ↑ Muteshi, Musabi. "Being someone else's miracle: Rwanda's story". The New Times Rwanda. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  67. ↑ "No Arms, No Legs, No Worries!". Retrieved 24 October 2013.

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