Background and personal
The eldest child of a Serbian family,[2]
Vujicic (pronounced 'Vooy-cheech') was born in Brisbane, Australia[3]
with Tetra-amelia. He was
limbless, missing both arms at shoulder level, as well as
legless. His feet were toeless except for two toes on one
foot. Initially, his parents were devastated, though Vujicic 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.[4]
Bullied at school, Vujicic grew depressed and by the age of 8,
contemplated suicide. At age
10, he tried to drown himself in 4 inches of water, but did
not go through with it out of love for his parents.[5]
After praying to grow arms and legs, Vujicic eventually realized
that his accomplishments could inspire others – and became grateful
for his life.[6]
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[7]
and began to embrace and transcend his disability.
He began to master the daily tasks of life. He learned to write
using the two toes on his left foot with a special grip that slid
onto his big toe. He learned to use a computer and type using the
"heel and toe" method. He learned to throw tennis balls, play drum
pedals, get himself a glass of water, comb his hair, brush his
teeth, answer the phone and shave.
In grade seven 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 seventeen, he started to give
talks at his prayer group,[8]
and eventually started his non-profit organization, Life
Without Limbs.
In 2005 Vujicic was nominated for the "Young Australian of
the Year" Award.
Vujicic currently lives in California.
Vujicic graduated from university at the age of 21 with a
double major in Accounting and Financial Planning.
Subsequently he became a motivational speaker,
travelling internationally and focusing on teen issues. Having
addressed over three million people in over 24 countries on five
continents,[9]
he speaks to corporate audiences
congregations and schools.
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).[1] was published in 2010. He
markets a motivational DVD, Life's Greater
Purpose, a short documentary filmed in 2005 highlighting his
home life and regular activities. 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: Youth
Version.[2]
I could use the determination of that guy...