Nick Vujicic was born with no arms or legs in Brisbane, Australia. He
plays football and golf, swims, and surfs, despite having no limbs. Nick
has a small foot on his left hip which helps him balance and enables
him to kick. He uses his one foot to type, write with a pen and pick
things up between his toes.
When Nick was born his father was so shocked he left the hospital room
to vomit. His distraught mother couldn't bring herself to hold him until
he was four months old. His disability came without any medical
explanation - a rare occurrence called Phocomelia - and Nick and his
parents spent many years asking why this cruel trick would happen to
them.
Nick's father was a computer programmer and accountant and he taught his
little son how to type with his toe at just 6 years old. His mum
invented a special plastic device that meant he could hold a pen and
pencil.
Despite the risk of bullying, his parents insisted Nick attended
mainstream school and later he achieved a degree in Financial Planning
and Real Estate.
'When I was 13 I read a newspaper article about a disabled man who had
managed to achieve great things and help others. I realised why God had
made us like this - to give hope to others. It was so inspirational to
me that I decided to use my life to encourage other people and give them
the courage that the article had given me. I decided to be thankful for
what I do have, not get angry about what I don't' said Nick. He has
travelled to over 24 countries speaking to groups of up to 110,000
people.
In 1990 Nick won the Australian Young Citizen of the Year award for his
bravery and perseverance. Nick began travelling the world and in 2008 he
went to Hawaii and met surfing master Bethany Hamilton, who had her arm
bitten off by a shark when she was 12. From her Nick quickly learned
how to do three 360 degree spins on his board - a feat that got him on
the cover of Surfer magazine within 48 hours.
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