Nick Vujicic. The incredible story of a man without arms and legs who achieved stunning success! Gives me goosebumps: Nick Vujicic shared tender photos with his wife and newborn daughters Nick Vujicic autobiography
Nick and Kanae Vujicic talk about the story of their acquaintance and about the new book “Love Without Borders” in a radio interview. We publish summary conversations. Full version in English .
- Kanae, you have one unusual appearance, Tell me about yourself.
— My father is Japanese, my mother is Mexican. My father was in love with Mexico and wanted to be surrounded by its nature, so he opened a business related to agriculture. That's how he met my mother. She worked in his office, and they met quite interestingly: they had a common hobby - collecting postage stamps and coins. The longer they talked, the more they fell in love and realized that they were suitable for each other. And my father loved Mexico so much that we all stayed there. Even though we lived in Mexico, he cooked the dishes Japanese cuisine, sometimes spoke to us in Japanese. We still observe some Japanese traditions, but overall Mexico wins. I love Mexican food, people, I love this culture. Unfortunately, my dad died when I was eighteen, and I stayed with my mom. My sister was living in America at that time and said: “Hey, come to me!” And me and mine younger brother came here.
—And at that moment you met Nick?
- Yes. We moved and... I had to go through a lot... I was still very young. I knew about God, but I didn't have a personal relationship with Him. I didn't know Him as a friend, as a father. Therefore, when my earthly father died, I was completely devastated, I felt almost like an orphan. And I lost everything. I left behind my friends, we sold our house, we lost our father’s business. I desperately needed love, hope...
— Nick, you’ve written more than one book. But it was in this one that I told about you. This is not just a book, it tells the story of your love - a real guide for people who have gone through the same thing as you. Let's talk about the hopes and dreams you had as a child, Nick. Did you feel an ordinary teenager, wanted to have a girlfriend or even get married?
— At the age of 8-9-10, I was jealous of everyone who walked hand in hand with girls. It was annoying sometimes. Especially when I thought about my future or whether girls would love me for who I am. I fell in love with girls, my first love was called Megan, we were in first grade. Every guy, I'm sure of this, thinks about how he will one day get married and become a father. When I was a teenager, I wondered whether I would have to spend the rest of my life as a bachelor. I was in a relationship when I was 19... We were very young and we both felt like we shouldn't date until we were ready for a serious relationship. We decided to wait. We waited four years and... separated. It was very painful. I was overcome by the fear that I would never find my “soul mate” in my life. I began to return to the idea that I would have to remain single for the rest of my life. But miracles happen - she is nearby! We just had to wait until God completed his plan.
— What were you looking for in men before meeting Nick, Kanae?
“Everything was completely different for me.”
- I had a relationship... And it seemed that everything was going well. But I couldn't find what I needed in my partner. The rest is told in the book.
— What advice can you give to listeners suffering from loneliness?
- Trust God because He never doubts you. Love yourself and, above all, love God. God will help you reach maturity—even when you think you're ready. Be more open. Be happy with what you have, even if you really want to finally meet “the one.” God gives everything - in due time. If you have God, you have everything.
- Let's talk about your first meeting, Nick.
— It was love at first sight. We met during a speech day at college. It was at Kanae's former boss's house that I met her and her sister Yoshiya. I had never heard such names before, I saw them at the same time and could not understand who they were, but we figured it out very quickly. The speech, by the way, was unique - only seventeen people in the hall, more like a cabinet meeting. The most beautiful, divine woman went upstairs. When I saw her, I even felt my arms and legs! Real fireworks! Chemistry! I said to myself: “Stop, stop, stop! Is this just with me or with her too?!” And I felt that “fireworks” were flashing inside her too! I talked to her longer than to other people. And the more I talked to her, the more I wanted to continue... When she left, I felt that my soul was leaving with her... It was like: “Hey-hey-hey, come back, stay with me!” Many people ask how long are we going to be together? Forever.
- How was it for you, Kanae?
“When I saw Nick, it was such a wonderful moment. Magic! The problem is that I already had someone. Getting a new guy, dating someone else, breaking your heart... But with Nick there was a strong connection, real chemistry. I felt something very special. Although I had just met him, it seemed to me that I had known him all my life. I asked myself: “How is this possible?” I've never felt this way before.
— How many days, weeks, months later did you make your decision?
- In three months. After that meeting we did not see each other, but our feelings did not change.
— A question that interests many listeners: How do Nick’s physical limitations affect your relationship?
- Of course, they influence in a certain way. But my feelings cover everything. And these restrictions are no longer a problem. I would not even talk about restrictions, but about everyday needs... In general, all this is unimportant.
“It so happened that even before the wedding she saw how I “functioned” in everyday life. And she was not afraid, on the contrary, she wanted to help.
My wife feeds me and tries to help me in every way she can. She is very smart and treats people with soul. But the decision about marriage is not made so quickly; you need to imagine what difficulties you might encounter in life together. I felt like she really knew what it was like to have a guy like me as a husband! My parents asked what would happen if she and I had a child without arms and legs. It is quite possible. Kanae’s answer was: “Even if our children are disabled, we will love them and treat them as normal. At least they will have before their eyes an example of how to live happily in such a state.” Each person’s capabilities are limited in their own way, each has their own past, each has mental wounds and fears. Some of them stay with us even though we have moved forward.
In the winter of 2011, when our relationship was just beginning, I lost all my savings due to the financial crisis. I had to borrow money from my parents. I started to feel depressed. Imagine: I, a motivational speaker, cried like a baby, sobbed and could not calm down. I panicked and couldn’t eat or sleep. I wasn't sure if she would stay with me. After all, I had neither legs nor arms, and now... It wasn’t even about the money, I was emotionally devastated. I couldn't even accept simple solution what should I eat for lunch? And when I told Kanae, “Baby, I lost my money...”, she said, “It’s okay, I’ll find a second job.” And she didn't leave me!
- Okay, then tell me how you decided to propose to her.
“I made the decision when she supported me during the crisis. I realized that this is the wife who was sent to me by the Lord. It happened completely spontaneously. I wanted to make sure that she would be shocked, it would be a surprise for her.
- He had a ring, he thought of everything in advance! He asked where I would like to have my wedding. I replied that it should be a simple place. I was so shocked that I couldn't think straight!
— Our mothers met the day before I asked her main question. I just trusted God. I bought a diamond ring, put it in a bowl of chocolate ice cream that she ordered... The whole story is in the book.
- What about the wedding dance?
“We didn’t rehearse it in advance.” I was worried about the dress, about how I would look...
-You were great! Even though we didn't rehearse, everything worked out just right.
— Your book is called “Love without limits. A remarkable story of true love." It has a very revealing chapter called “The Joy of Temperance.” Tell us, what is this joy expressed in?
— Many people postpone marriage until they have children, as my friends did. They live for today, without thinking that tomorrow is about to come. We knew sex was good. But sex was created by God and should only happen after marriage. You cannot enjoy sex before it. It is created to express love and is only for people who are married. Many of my friends suffer because of this, running from one sexual partner to another, a third, etc. I look into Kanae’s eyes and think that this is it. real love. It's old-fashioned, but the greatest way to show your children how much you love them is to love their mother. There is no shame in marrying a virgin; God will not give you a second chance and will not return your innocence. I think it is very important to wait for your spouse... Some of my friends stopped respecting me after I said that my future wife is a virgin. You have nothing to lose. You don't sacrifice anything by remaining virgins - on the contrary, you gain.
- Kanae, what do you think?
— Advice to girls: trust your heart. There's no need to rush. There is no need to blame yourself for daydreaming or expecting much from guys. God sends love when He deems it necessary for you.
— The book is a real textbook! One of the chapters contains ten tips on how to keep yourself in check before marriage. We at the editorial office found them very necessary and useful! And yet, how are things on the family front? There are conflicts or Vujicic family peaceful sky above your head?
— People ask us: What is it like? We both know that God has blessed us. There are, of course, quarrels like in any normal family, over various issues. From large to small, like choosing furniture or creating a menu. But we both know we've moved up a level. We communicate with each other a lot, especially on the road. I like to chat about this and that, she is sometimes not in the mood and says that she would like to continue the conversation tomorrow, and I agree. We respect each other. But this is a process...
— I had the opportunity to visit you. There were a lot of people there celebrating the publication of the book...
- Yes Yes! I became pregnant during a three-month tour and we grabbed our heads: “We will have to make a transfer for 2-3 years. We had other plans for them!” We shared our joy with five hundred people and spent the first year at home. No parties or anything like that. It was like closing for major renovations. We gathered the people and said: “Guys, this was wonderful year! The book came out and... we’re having a baby!”
“Many were afraid for the unborn child, knowing my characteristics. How did you feel about it, Kanae?
“I think God protected me.” Because throughout my pregnancy I did not share the fears of my loved ones at all. Even if something went wrong, the baby would still be as beautiful as his dad.
- Nick, you are a busy man now. Constantly on the road, do you find a minute in your schedule to sit down and relax?
- With difficulties! When you, as a motivational speaker, look at the calendar and see that a new performance, or even a tour, is coming up... Thank God, now there are technologies that allow you to communicate at a distance, like the Facetime application (analogous to Skype for iPhone)! And, of course, my travels are much harder for Kanae than for me.
tiffany_fold , remember, that was your question... But... first things first.
He looked very ordinary. If we take away the moment when the assistant carried him in his arms from the wheelchair to the chair, it seemed to me that the confidence disappeared from his gaze for a second. It was very close, I even managed to grab the frame...
And so... Everyone sits at a common table. Everyone is well-mannered people, and therefore no one gesticulates much. Nick is even one of the most emotional... He will either move his shoulder, or scratch his cheek with it (namely, “scratch”, not “rub”)... And his hands? It’s like he just put his hands behind his back...
It was a press conference where the questions turned out to be more interesting than the answers. And not because the speaker answered sluggishly or dryly. Just... Judge for yourself...
Here, a powerful man stands up, holding a “picture” in his hands: “New Radio.” He admits that he attended the press conference because he tormented the organizers with questions.
“A couple of decades ago, when the doctors abandoned my child and said, it would sound rude... that there was a freak in my wife’s stomach, that it was better to have an operation, and that it was necessary to save the life of the wife, not the son...” I stood in dead end. And the words that one person said to me changed my whole life. This man told me your story, Nick ( Vujicic was not even thirteen at that time, - N.Sh.) . Yesterday was my son's birthday. He turned twenty.
(The audience applauds.) In the nineties, your example inspired me very much. Now I am a successful person. And now, actually, the question. My radio listeners ask him: “Who is the person you believe in?”
( div4ina007
And pkaprizjan
I think this is exactly what you were discussing in the comments to the previous post
...)
Nick replied that here faith and love for God are still primary for him:
“Everything this world could offer me would not be enough.” I am not the source of hope, not some speakers. They say all you need is positivity. It's a lie! Because you need something more... Hope! Someone said, "Hope dies last." But for me hope never dies. Because my hope goes beyond human capabilities. That's why I have power.
- I flew from Armenia, with my wife and daughter, especially to see you. I'm doing the same thing as you. I am also a motivational speaker and an artist and writer. Your son was born on your wedding anniversary, and my daughter on ours. I have watched recordings of many of your performances. I saw interest and understanding in the eyes of the listeners. Can you name three countries where you felt the greatest demand for your speeches?
- A lot of invitations come from Asian countries. From China, Hong Kong, Korea... Unfortunately, many young people in these countries have lost hope... So Asia is one part. I can also name Latin America, Central America, South America, where there is a lot of poverty and need. It is difficult for me to name the third region. I think all people have their own personal needs, and everyone is looking for some greater purpose. And everyone needs encouragement.
The artist gave Nick and his wife their family portrait.
Serezha Denisov, the “crystal boy”, who experienced 36 fractures in his 15 years, came from Ryazan:
- How do you cope with your fear if you have it?
- Many people don’t even try to do something, simply because they are afraid. It's not that I'm not afraid of anything at all. But looking at you, I see that your spirit is courageous. Because you took the microphone and asked me your question in front of the entire audience. And someone else can't do what you just did... You can be proud of yourself.
The entire first row is occupied by people in wheelchairs. Everyone has their own story. Everyone can compete with the “hero of the day” in fortitude. And he wasn’t the only one who turned out to be a hero.
Nick has already become an established man; today he is given wealth and world fame to help him. But how do these people cope, living on benefits that wouldn’t even be enough to feed a dog if they decided to get one?!
Not everyone managed to take the floor; forty minutes were allotted for questions. It is clear that in this situation it is somehow awkward to raise your hand. Let Seryozha Denisov remain a man who is braver than me.
One bewilderment... Was it really impossible to do something with the perimeter of the “Public Chamber”, which was terribly dug up? Well, at least the flooring opposite the gate... If it didn’t work out to move the venue of the event (it was scheduled almost a month in advance, and, probably, then everything was still in order with the asphalt). The yard is small. It only fits a few cars... And thanks to the security guards who personally helped people in wheelchairs get over potholes and curbs.
Russia is the 55th country he visited. He is definitely going to come to us in a year and for the World Cup... Because he fell in love with him.
Nick generally talked a lot about love. About his wife, sons, already born and expected in August. Without them, his new, fourth book, which is called: “Love Without Borders...”
The book was given to us immediately. But, I must admit, impressed by the face-to-face meeting, I opened it only this morning. I thought there about the love of God, but it turned out that it was about the relationship between a man and a woman. And, as usual with Vujicic, incredibly frankly:
“This happened during an interview when Kanae (wife - N.Sh.) was pregnant. A journalist from Dallas during a live broadcast asked how it was possible that we would have a child. I was embarrassed, but tried to get rid of it with a joke.
“Everyone knows,” I said, “what it’s for.” You don't necessarily need arms and legs to have a baby.
But she was not satisfied with my answer... I could have responded with rudeness, pointing out that she was invading our privacy. And yet, a sense of humor prevailed.
IN live I said:
- In fact, I heard that legs even get in the way in this matter!
Believe me, after that the journalist immediately fell silent!”
Despair of loneliness and painful partings. Doubts and the importance of the right moment to propose marriage.
What you should abstain from before the wedding and how to spend the first night after.
The personal life of spouses in the house where children appear.
I won’t ruin the sale of the edition and retell everything... But, you know, yesterday he looked like a respectable man, a speaker, with thoughtful accents and pauses. And here, I read it , and... - a boy is a boy. Enamored! To my wife, children, and the whole world...
Thanks to the Eksmo publishing house for the invitation. This was the first press conference that I attended as a blogger, and not as a journalist for any publication. So, the meeting turned out to be very special for me.
Nick (Nicholas) Vujicic(Serbian Nick Vujicic English Nicholas James Vujicic; December 4, 1982, Brisbane, Australia) is a Christian preacher and professional motivational speaker born with Tetra-Amelia syndrome, a rare hereditary disease that results in the absence of four limbs.
After worrying about his disability as a child, he learned to live with his disability, sharing his experiences with others and becoming a world-renowned motivational speaker. His speeches are mainly addressed to children and youth (including disabilities), in the hope of intensifying their search for the meaning of life and developing their abilities. Nick talks about his Christian belief that God changes people's hearts and does his work, and that God is great because He gives a person the opportunity to overcome any difficulties.
Biography
Born on December 4, 1982 in Brisbane into a family of Serbian emigrants, he had a rare pathology: the boy was missing limbs - both arms and both legs (partially there was one foot with two toes, which allowed the boy to later learn to walk, swim, skateboard, play computer and write).
Despite his physical disabilities, the boy was born healthy and, as soon as Victorian law changed, his parents insisted that their son begin attending regular school.
In 1990, greatly worried about his physical disabilities, the boy attempted suicide, but over time he realized that his achievements in life could inspire others. He began to study simple things: learned to write using two toes on his left foot, learned to brush his teeth, shave, comb his hair, answer the phone and type on a computer. In the seventh grade, the boy became a class leader and participated in campaigns to raise funds for charity.
In 1999, he began performing for his church group and soon opened non-profit organization Life without Limbs, becoming a motivational speaker.
In 2005 Nick Vujicic was nominated for the Young Australian of the Year award.
In 2009, he starred in the film “The Butterfly Circus,” which tells the story of a man without limbs, Will, and his fate.
He has traveled to more than 24 countries speaking at schools, universities and other organizations. Participates in television shows and writes books. His first book was published in 2010.
Currently lives in California, USA.
On March 28 and 29, 2015, Nick Vujicic spoke for the first time in Russia (in Moscow and St. Petersburg) with a motivational lecture “Life without borders.”
Marriage
On February 12, 2012, Nick Vujicic (Vujicic), a Christian without arms and legs, married the beautiful Kanae Miyahara. The wedding ceremony took place in California. This marriage became a symbol of God's faithfulness and a testimony to countless people. Fans from all over the world flooded Nick's Facebook page with comments. They congratulate him on this special occasion and express their joy and delight at being able to see and hear such good news.
Birth of a son
“Thank you so much for your love and prayers. Mom feels great.
Nick and Kanae named their son Kiyoshi James Vujicic. He was born weighing 3.9 kilograms and measuring 55.2 centimeters tall. - the preacher wrote.
Proceedings
- 2010 - Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life, Random House, 2010
- 2013 - Unstoppable. Incredible Power faith in action
- 2014 - book “Be strong. You can overcome violence (and other stuff that keeps you down)" (Stand Strong: You Can Overcome Bullying (and Other Stuff That Keeps You Down))
- 2015 - book “Love Without Borders. Way to awesome strong love»
Family
- Father - Boris Vujicic, Protestant pastor
- Mother - Duska Vujicic, works as a nurse
- Wife - Kanae Miyahara
- Son - Kiyoshi James Vujicic
Video with Nick Vujicic:
Musical Video with Nick Vujicic:
"...Where do we go when there is no hope left?
It can sometimes be so difficult to find peace for the heart
I look at the sun, feel its comforting warmth
I see great peaks reminding me that I'm alive and don't want to die,
And I don't want to miss another day, another night.
I know there's something else...
What we live for, I see the answer in the distant stars
I hear it on the ocean shore
I know there's something else...
I know we're all afraid, afraid to be alone
We all want to believe, I want to believe, just believe
This world could shatter and disappear into the ocean,
The world could end today
Some will say that my words are a sign of weakness.
But maybe my only source of light will be revealed to you
I breathe by it, I live by it.
When I was 10, I wanted to commit suicide
There was no hope
I wanted to throw myself into the water and never come up
But God sent me into the world to give people hope...
Nicholas James "Nick" Vujicic (4 December 1982) is an Australian writer and singer. Born with the congenital disease tetra-amelia - a mutation disease, as a result of which all limbs stop developing and the fetus is born without arms and legs.
Childhood
Nicholas was born on December 4 in Australia, into a family of Serbian emigrants. Despite the fact that his mother was not diagnosed with pathologies during the entire period of pregnancy, the baby was born with a genetic disorder that is quite rare even for modern world mutation - complete absence of limbs. The scientific diagnosis is “a child with congenital tetra-amelia.” No other pathologies or diseases were found.
From childhood, Nick—that’s what his parents began to call him—was constantly tormented by the ridicule of everyone around him. He for a long time could not come to terms with his position in society and, starting at the age of two, stopped going out. At home, he tried to learn at least basic things - reading and writing, but due to the lack of limbs, as well as the experience of his parents in such matters, the child’s socialization took a long time and was difficult.
In order to somehow help Nicholas adapt to birth defects and get used to the idea that it is impossible to get rid of them, his parents send him to one of the Australian schools for the disabled, where the boy is taught everything he needs. However, two years later, the United States government issued a law stating that disabled people with any physical disabilities have the right to study in regular schools without infringing on their civil rights. Nicholas is transferred from specialized to regular high school.
Youth
By the time Nicholas is ten years old, he still lives with only one goal - to die as soon as possible, since he simply cannot imagine his life with such a birth defect. According to Nick himself, once he even tried to drown himself in the bathtub:
“Once I asked my mother to take me for a swim and not disturb me. Like, I wanted to try to do it myself. For half an hour I tried to face the water, but it was damn difficult to stay in the slippery bath. And when I finally succeeded, and I was already imagining how my mother and father would stand at my funeral, it suddenly dawned on me: “How can I cause them such pain?” It would be so selfish and unfair, I absolutely didn’t think about WHAT they would feel, WHAT pain they would experience! And after I realized this, I was able to come to terms with the idea of my illness...”
When the age of crisis was far behind him, and Nick himself became imbued with life and achieving something new, he independently and successfully entered Griffin University, located in Brisbane, and graduated at the age of 21, receiving a double bachelor’s degree (Nicholas was simultaneously studying faculties accounting and financial planning).
Start of career and charitable activities
After this, Nick decides that his rare disease should not only repel others, but also encourage people to live. He begins to travel around cities and visit establishments that are rarely visited. ordinary people. Nick performs small speaking engagements in prisons, orphanages and specialized schools for the disabled, proving to everyone that life is wonderful, and even the absence of limbs does not give anyone the right to wish for death!
In 1999, Nicholas, thanks to the support of relatives and friends, opens charitable organization“Life without Limbs”, which begins to gain popularity first in the city, then around the world. It was for this that he was nominated and won the award for Young Australian of the Year.
Apart from charity trips around the world, Nick never rests on his laurels. During his life, he wrote several books (“Life without borders. The path to amazing happy life", 2010; “Unstoppable. The incredible power of faith in action”, 2013; "Stay strong. You can overcome violence”, 2013; "Love without borders. The path to amazingly strong love”, 2015), released a song (“Something More”, 2011), a video for it and even managed to star in leading role in the film “Butterfly Circus” (2009), which tells about the life of Will, a guy like himself, who was born without limbs.
Personal life
Despite his physiological defect and the illness that accompanies him throughout his life, Nick Vujicic is absolutely happy in his family and promotes healthy and fulfilling family relationships.
In early 2012, he met his first and only love, Kanae Miyahara, whom he married a few months later. On this moment the couple already has two absolutely healthy and strong children - sons Kiyoshi James and Dejan Levi.
This was their long-awaited firstborn. The father was in labor. He saw the baby's shoulder - what is it? No hand. Boris Vuychich realized that he had to leave the room immediately so that his wife would not have time to notice how his face had changed. He couldn't believe what he saw.When the doctor came out to him, he began to say:
"My son! Doesn't he have a hand?
The doctor replied:
“No... Your son has neither arms nor legs.”
Doctors refused to show the baby to the mother. The nurses were crying.
Why?
Nicholas Vujicic was born in Melbourne, Australia, into a family of Serbian emigrants. Mother is a nurse. Father & Pastor. The whole parish lamented: “Why did the Lord allow this to happen?” The pregnancy proceeded normally, everything was fine with heredity.
At first, the mother could not bring herself to take her son in her arms and could not breastfeed him. “I had no idea how I would take the child home, what to do with him, how to take care of him,” recalls Duska Vujicic. - I didn’t know who to contact with my questions. Even the doctors were at a loss. Only after four months did I begin to come to my senses. My husband and I began to solve problems without looking too far ahead. One after another."
Nick has a semblance of a foot instead of a left leg. Thanks to this, the boy learned to walk, swim, skateboard, play on the computer and write. The parents managed to get their son into a regular school. Nick became the first disabled child in a regular Australian school.
“This meant that teachers were paying too much attention to me,” Nick recalls. - On the other hand, although I had two friends, most often I heard from my peers: “Nick, go away!”, “Nick, you don’t know how to do anything!”, “We don’t want to be friends with you!”, “You’re nobody.” !
Drown yourself
Every evening Nick prayed to God and asked him: “God, give me arms and legs!” He cried and hoped that when he woke up in the morning, arms and legs would already appear. Mom and dad bought him electronic hands. But they were too heavy, and the boy was never able to use them.
On Sundays he went to church school. They taught there that the Lord loves everyone. Nick didn’t understand how this could be - why then God didn’t give him what everyone else had. Sometimes adults came up and said: “Nick, everything will be fine!” But he didn’t believe them - no one could explain to him why he was like this, and no one could help him, not even God. At the age of eight, Nicholas decided to drown himself in the bathtub. He asked his mother to take him there.
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“I turned my face into the water, but it was very difficult to hold on. Nothing worked. During this time, I imagined a picture of my funeral - my dad and mom were standing there... And then I realized that I couldn’t kill myself. All I saw from my parents was love for me.”
Change your heart
Nick never tried to commit suicide again, but he kept thinking why he should live.
He won't be able to work, he won't be able to hold his fiancée's hand, he won't be able to hold his child when he cries. One day, Nick’s mother read an article about a seriously ill man who inspired others to live.
Mom said: “Nick, God needs you. I do not know how. I do not know when. But you can serve Him.”
At the age of fifteen, Nick opened the Gospel and read the parable of the blind man. The disciples asked Christ why this man was blind. Christ answered: “So that the works of God may be revealed in him.” Nick says that at that moment he stopped being angry at God.
“Then I realized I am not just a man without arms and legs. I am God's creation. God knows what He is doing and why. “It doesn’t matter what people think,” Nick says now. “God didn’t answer my prayers.” This means that He wants to change my heart more than the circumstances of my life. Probably, even if I suddenly had arms and legs, it would not calm me down so much. Arms and legs on their own.”
At nineteen, Nick studied financial planning in the University. One day he was asked to speak to students. Seven minutes were allotted for the speech. Within three minutes the girls in the hall were crying. One of them could not stop sobbing, she raised her hand and asked: “Can I come up on stage and hug you?” The girl approached Nick and began to cry on his shoulder. She said: “No one ever told me they loved me, no one ever told me I was beautiful just the way I am. My life changed today."
Nick came home and announced to his parents that he knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. The first thing my father asked was: “Are you thinking of finishing university?” Then other questions arose:
Will you be traveling alone?
- No.
- And with whom?
- Don't know.
-What are you going to talk about?
- Don't know.
- Who will listen to you?
- Don't know.
A hundred attempts to get up
Ten months a year he is on the road, two months at home. He traveled to more than two dozen countries, more than three million people heard him - in schools, nursing homes, and prisons. It happens that Nick speaks in stadiums with thousands of seats. He performs about 250 times a year. Nick receives about three hundred offers for new performances a week. He became a professional speaker.
Before the start of the performance, an assistant carries Nick onto the stage and helps him sit on some raised platform so that he can be seen. Then Nick tells episodes from his everyday life. About how people still stare at him on the streets. About the fact that when children run up and ask: “What happened to you?!” He answers in a hoarse voice: “It’s all because of cigarettes!”
And to those who are younger, he says: “I didn’t clean my room.” He calls what is in place of his legs a “ham.” Nick says his dog likes to bite him. And then he begins to beat out a fashionable rhythm with his ham.
After that he says: “And to be honest, sometimes you can fall like this.” Nick falls face first into the table he was standing on.
And he continues:
“It happens in life that you fall, and it seems you have no strength to get up. You wonder then if you have hope... I have neither arms nor legs! It seems that even if I try to get up a hundred times, I won’t be able to. But after another defeat, I don’t give up hope. I will try again and again. I want you to know that failure is not the end. What matters is how you finish. Are you going to finish strong? Then you will find the strength to rise up - in this way.”
He leans his forehead, then helps himself with his shoulders and stands up.
The women in the audience begin to cry.
And Nick begins to talk about gratitude to God.
I'm not saving anyone
-Are people touched and consoled because they see that someone is having a harder time than they are?
Sometimes they tell me: “No, no! I can’t imagine myself without arms and legs!” But it is impossible to compare suffering, and it is not necessary. What can I say to someone whose loved one is dying of cancer or whose parents are divorced? I don't understand their pain.
One day a twenty-year-old woman approached me. She was kidnapped when she was ten years old, enslaved and abused. During this time, she had two children, one of them died. Now she has AIDS. Her parents don't want to communicate with her. What can she hope for? She said that if she had not believed in God, she would have committed suicide. Now she talks about her faith with other AIDS patients so they can hear her.
Last year I met people who had a son without arms and legs. The doctors said: “He will be a plant for the rest of his life. He won’t be able to walk, he won’t be able to study, he won’t be able to do anything.” And suddenly they found out about me and met me in person - another person like him. And they had hope. It is important for everyone to know that they are not alone and that they are loved.
Why did you believe in God?
I couldn't find anything else that would give me peace. Through the word of God, I learned the truth about the purpose of my life - about who I am, why I live, and where I will go when I die. Without faith, nothing made sense.
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There is a lot of pain in this life, so there must be absolute Truth, the absolute Hope that is above all circumstances. My hope is in heaven. If you associate your happiness with temporary things, it will be temporary.
I can tell you many times when teenagers came up to me and said: “Today I looked in the mirror with a knife in my hand. This was supposed to be the last day of my life. You saved me".
A woman came up to me one day and said, “Today is my daughter’s second birthday. Two years ago she listened to you and you saved her life.” But I can’t save myself either! Only God can. What I have is not Nick's achievements. If it were not for God, I would not be here with you and would no longer exist in the world. I couldn't handle my trials on my own. And I thank God that my example inspires people.
What can inspire you besides faith and family?
A friend's smile.
Once I was told that a terminally ill guy wanted to see me. He was eighteen years old. He was already very weak and could not move at all. I entered his room for the first time. And he smiled. It was a precious smile. I told him that I don’t know how I would feel in his place, that he is my hero.
We saw each other several more times. I asked him one day: “What would you like to say to all people?” He said, "What do you mean?" I replied: “If only there was a camera here.” And every person in the world could see you. What would you say?
He asked for time to think. Last time we talked on the phone, he was already so weak that I could not hear his voice on the phone. We spoke through his father. This guy said, “I know what I would say to all the people. Try to be a milestone in someone's life story. At least do something. Something to be remembered."
Hug without hands
Nick used to fight for independence in every detail. Now, due to a busy schedule, more cases have begun to be entrusted to the patronage worker, who helps with dressing, moving and other routine matters. Nick's childhood fears did not come true. He recently got engaged, is about to get married, and now believes that he doesn’t need hands to hold his bride’s heart. He no longer worries about how he will communicate with his children. Chance helped. An unfamiliar two-year-old girl approached him. She saw that Nick had no hands. Then the girl put her hands behind her back and laid her head on his shoulder.
Nick with his bride
Nick can't shake anyone's hand - he hugs people. And even set a world record. A guy without arms hugged 1,749 people in an hour. He wrote a book about his life while typing 43 words per minute on a computer. In between work trips, he fishes, plays golf and surfs.
“I don’t always get up in the morning with a smile on my face. Sometimes my back hurts,” says Nick, “But because there is great strength in my principles, I continue to take small steps forward, baby steps.” Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the ability to act, relying not on one’s own strength, but on God’s help.
Parents of disabled children usually divorce. My parents didn't divorce. Do you think they were scared? Yes. Do you think they trusted God? Yes. Do you think they are now seeing the fruits of their labors? Absolutely right.
How many people would believe it if they showed me on TV and said, “This guy prayed to the Lord and he got arms and legs”? But when people see me as I am, they wonder: “How can you smile?” For them this is a visible miracle. I need my trials to make me realize how dependent I am on God. Other people need my testimony that “the power of God is made perfect in weakness.” They look into the eyes of a man without arms and without legs and see in them peace, joy - what everyone strives for.”