Motivational speaker with no arms or legs to tour Dubai, Sharjah

Nick Vujicic recalls humble Indian janitor who set him on path to worldwide fame

 

Dubai: For Nick Vujicic, who was born without arms or legs, his journey towards becoming a world-renowned motivational speaker all began with an Indian janitor.

“Out of all the people who inspired me as a speaker was my Indian friend, my janitor at my high school. I was 17, he was 61 years old,” said Vujicic, recalling his early years in Australia.

Vujicic is in Dubai as part of a two-day speaking tour.

“My Indian friend Arnold came up to me and said, ‘Nick, you’re going to be a speaker one day, and I said, ‘Mr. Arnold, you are crazy’,”

What followed was a small speech by Vujicic to about five students in the school — a speech that brought some to tears. Next came a speech in another school to a far larger crowd.

By the age of 19, Vujicic began formal speaking engagements. At the age of 23, he moved to California. He has since founded a for-profit motivational speaking company and an international non-profit organisation and ministry.

Now 33, he has given over 3,000 speeches in 63 countries. Part of his work involves speaking out against bullying. This quest has seen him meet 16 presidents and speak to nine governments.

While the tour will not focus on Vujicic’s work in Christian evangelism, the speaker is quick to talk about what his faith means to him.

“I don’t think I could have the hope that I have found without my faith in God. With prayer and scripture and meditation, that’s how I get through my daily life, through the ups and downs.”

Fourth tour

Vujicic is currently on his fourth speaking tour in Dubai. He has never had the chance to tour the country as a tourist, but hopes to “within a couple of years”.

“I’d like to come here on a vacation and really enjoy it,” he said.

Vujicic — pronounced ‘voy-cheech’ — was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare birth defect. He has no arms, but has two small and deformed feet. Since a childhood operation which separated two of his toes, he has been able to use his foot to operate an electric wheelchair and pick up objects — actions he is keen to show during his speeches.

In 2012, Vujicic got married. He and his wife, Kanae, who has Japanese and Mexican roots, have two sons and live in California.

Vujicic will speak in Sharjah Expo Centre from 10am-1pm on Thursday. The talk will be aimed at students. Tickets cost Dh100.

Then on Friday, he will speak at The Dome in Dubai Sports City, from 7pm-10pm. Ticket prices start at Dh150. Tickets for both speaking sessions are available from online vendor Platinum List.