No limbs, no limits: Inspirational speaker back in Bend
Nick Vujicic, a worldwide provider of hope and inspiration, returned to Central Oregon Wednesday night with a powerful message that resonates with his audience.
The 32 year-old Australia-based man was born without arms and legs, a medical condition called tetra-amelia syndrome.
Growing up, he had a loving childhood from his parents, But at a young age, faced a deep depression.
“At age 10, I tried to commit suicide because of bullying,” Vujicic said. “All I saw were broken pieces. And I never thought anything beautiful could come from them. But I want everyone to give your broken pieces a chance.”.
Before Vuricic’s presentation at Westside Church in Bend, Vuricic entered the church’s lounge with his electric chair. With no hands, he invites everyone he’s meeting for the first time with a warm smile and invites a friendly hug.
Vujicic says this visit to Bend, his fourth, is the second of 14 stops on his West Coast tour, “Stand Strong: Living a Life Without Limits.”
So far, Vujicic has visited 57 countries, met 13 presidents and reached 6 million people through many media visits, including Oprah, the Dr. Oz show and more.
Right now, Vujicic is traveling with his wife and son — and now expecting another baby boy on the way.
Out of all the adversities he’s faced in his life, leaving his family during a world outreach tour in 2013 was the hardest.
“Leaving my 9-week-old son — it was not in a row, but 17 weeks away from them for the first year of his life was really difficult — I’d have to say the most difficult year of my life,” Vujicic said.
One of his key messages is to accept your hardships and be thankful for what you do have — and that it’s not the end to your story.
“Go out there — dream big,” he said. “I just hope that this story of a little guy with no arms and legs (who) is fulfilling his dream and traveling around the world. If a limbless man can be the hands and feet of love, then I believe anything is possible.”
To follow the Stand Strong tour visit http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/stand-strong/ for tour locations and stream a presentation online.
