Life Without Limits

As you can see in the space above left, I have a link to the website Blogging for Books. The book I'm reviewing here was sent to me in exchange for sharing my review on their website. I found it to be such a blessing that I wanted to share it on my blog as well as sharing the review on their site. Here is my review:

“Nicholas, you need to play with normal children, because you are normal. You just have a few bits and pieces missing, that’s all.” That’s what Nick Vujicic’s mother insisted when he was very young, instilling in him “…the belief that I had every right to life free of labels and restrictions.”

“My parents held onto the conviction that my life would have no limits,” Nick writes in his autobiography Life Without Limits, subtitled: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life. To say his story is inspirational is a huge understatement, and he seems to love and appreciate his ridiculously good life more than the average person.

The thing that makes Nick’s mother’s comment so incredible is that Nick was born without either arms or legs. And despite the almost impossible odds against it, he has gone on to live a relatively normal life. He sees himself not as handicapped, but rather as a person who has to figure out a way to do things that other people can do easily. In keeping with this attitude, he produced a DVD entitled, “No Arms, No Legs, No Worries.”

Nick is a motivational speaker and the director of a nonprofit organization he founded called Life Without Limbs. He has traveled the world and spoken to hundreds of thousands of people, inspiring them to focus on what they have, not what they are missing.

Some of his accomplishments are astounding when you consider his missing limbs. Using a tiny foot that is attached to his lower body, he navigates his world via a motorized wheelchair, and even uses a computer. He swims and has been SCUBA diving. He even learned to surf in Hawaii with Bethany Hamilton, the famous surfer and subject of the movie Soul Surfer.



Surfing on Waikiki Beach with Bethany Hamilton



One of my favorite parts of the book is the story of a bully who kept threatening him in grade school. Amazingly, they agreed to settle their argument by fighting it out. Even more amazing, was the fact that Nick beat “Chuckie” and left him crying on the ground, with a bloodied nose. He was worried about going home and facing his parents, expecting to be punished for fighting. He had no need to be worried, as he recalls, “They simply did not think it possible that I’d beaten up a bigger, older, and fully-equipped bloke.”

After navigating the tumultuous years of early adolescence and wanting to commit suicide, Nick accepted Christ at age fifteen. He asked God to forgive him, direct his life, and give him purpose.  He quotes Helen Keller, who said true happiness comes through “…fidelity to a worthy purpose.” After seeing the reaction of his classmates when he shared his testimony, he knew he wanted to be a speaker. God answered Nick’s prayer and gave him a speaking ministry that fulfils his purpose and inspires people of all classes, races, and religions.



Baby Nick with his first wheels

In a chapter called Attitude is Altitude, Nick says that attitude is like a remote control for your life. If the program you’re watching doesn’t uplift you and help you, then change it. He says we can “pick a ‘tude,” and suggests that some of the most powerful and positive ones are: gratitude, action, empathy,  and forgiveness.

Reading the wise words this handsome young man his written is so empowering. It helps the reader to see how truly amazing God’s grace is, even though we sometimes feel we have nothing to offer Him. He can use whatever we have when we make it available to Him. Nick Vujicic is a wonderful example of someone who lives life to the limit and makes the most of his talents and abilities. His story will leave you with wonder, tears of joy, gratitude for all you have, and an amazing resolve to live up to the best you can be.

If you'd like to read this book or another and write a review, you can do so by signing up for the program at http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/

Nick Vujicic's website http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/ offers DVDs and other products that tell more of his story. I think this man is simply amazing...tell me what you think!