Nick Vujicic's experience of bullying

  Imagine being born without arms and legs. What would you do? 
You have no legs to run. You have no arms to hug. 
How would it influence your whole life? 





  Nick Vujicic was born in 1982 in Melbourne, Australia without arms and legs. During the childhood and teenage years, he was struggled not only with bullying and self-esteem issues, but also with depression and loneliness (Life Without Limbs, 2012). 


  "When he was 10 years old, he had suicidal thoughts, because he felt like he became a burden to his parents and had so many questions about his future and no answers" (Life Without Limbs, 2012). 

Image from <http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/about-nick/>

  "He constantly questioned why he was different than all the other kids surrounding him, why he was the one born without arms and legs. He wondered what the purpose behind his life was, or if he even had a purpose" (Life Without Limbs, 2012)

“When I was teased at school, I felt like I wish I wasn’t born.”

(Teasing -Stop the Epidemic, 2012)

  There are many students with physical disabilities who suffer deeply from bullying at schools like Nick Vujicic. Researchers said that eight out of ten children with a physical disability have been bullied (MacArthur, Sharp, Gaffney & Kelly, 2007).



  Nick could overcome all the negatives and struggles around him, and gain the strength and passion to live his life. It was possible because he had "a strong faith in God, supportive family, friends and many people who encouraged him" throughout his journey (Life Without Limbs, 2012).

Image from <http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/about-nick/>

“We can either kill somebody without words or we can save somebody without words.”

(Teasing -Stop the Epidemic, 2012)

  He was very lucky to have great people around him. However, there are many students with physical disability who have no one who encourage them to pursue their dream and give advice throughout their lives. For them, we need more effective teaching strategies and classroom management skills, strong and clear policies and curriculums for the protection of disabled students from school bullying, and regular teacher or parent training programmes.

  Today, Nick became world famous motivational speaker, and the President and CEO of a non-profit organisation, Life Without Limbs. He move around the world to tell his story and inspire a range of different groups from students, teachers to businessmen and entrepreneurs.  

Image from <http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/about-nick/>

“We need to come together in love. It doesn’t matter how you look. I don’t care how ugly you think you are. You are beautiful just the way that you are.”

“I am special just the way I am, because God loves me, and it’s ok for me to be me.”

(Teasing -Stop the Epidemic, 2012)