Nick was unexpectedly born without any limbs (arms or legs), however he does have one small foot-like thing that he calls his drumstick. His condition is very rare, leaving him and his parents no one to turn to whom had experience.
What strikes me most reading this book is that he is constantly saying how he is so much better off than so many people in this world. Nick has traveled all over the world speaking, to children in orphanages, survivors of natural disasters, abuse victims; people who, yes have suffered so much, but can do "normal" things with ease...unlike him. Many people would say that they are more equipped to handle their adversities. Yet Nick constantly says that he is better off. He has never had to starve know what it is like to live under strict oppression like many have.
Nick can play soccer, he loves to swim, he can do so many everyday tasks that we would think he is incapable of like answering the phone, brushing his hair and teeth, drinking, turning on and off lights, typing on a keyboard really fast, driving a wheelchair and so much more. He even tried prosthesis as a child and concluded that he could do most things better with his teeth, chin and little drumstick.
He would be the first to tell you that he has had down times in his life, trying to drown himself at the age of ten being the lowest. He has had times in which he hasn't felt that there was purpose in his life because of everything he couldn't do. Yet Nick has clung to God's hope and joy. He strongly believes that God's arm is never to short to reach you, that there is power in perseverance, that we must live our lives in such a way that negative emotions do not hold us...he believes that everyone has a purpose, no matter what their situation. Sometimes it is hard to hang on to hope, but we should always hang on to God's goodness, thus knowing that there will be more hope someday.
Reading about the hope and joy that Nick continues to have each day even though he can not hug someone, even though he has no idea if there will ever be a girl willing to marry a man whom won't be able to hold their children or dance with her at their wedding. Nick has this undying trust in God that it is going to be okay...if a man with no limbs can have that much joy, why can't I?
I have concluded that if a man with no limbs wouldn't be complaining about it...than I probably shouldn't. I should be thanking God for the pain in my knee right now...because guess what, I have a knee to have pain in. I live in a country with wonderful medical staff that I can go to in order to make it better. I shouldn't be complaining about having to soon go back to school and write lots of papers because I have ten fingers to type out my essays instead of two "toe-like" things. I shouldn't complain about long drives, because I can drive. There are so many more people worse off than me. No matter what I have gone through in my life and everything that I am sure I have yet to overcome...there are so many more out there that are worse of.
I am fortunate.
I am overly blessed.
My struggles don't even compare to others.
My pain would be nothing to so many people.
I will leave you with a link to one of Nick Vujicic's videos on youtube....I encourage you to go and atleast watch this one....but when you feel like you are having a bad day, just youtube this man. Listen to his words, watch him lower himself to his face and then push himself back up. When you feel like it is impossible to rise from your current situation, remember Nick...remember that it is possible to swim with no limbs, it is possible to rise when it seems like you have nothing to help you.
A Day in the Life of Nick Vujicic
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