By MARTA HEPLER DRAHOS
TRAVERSE CITY -- Nick Vujicic doesn't have arms or legs, but he wouldn't change himself if he could.
"That's the peace I've got, and I'm the richest man on earth," said Vujicic, president of the ministry Life Without Limbs.
Born in Australia with a disability so severe that he tried to commit suicide at age 10, Vujicic found his faith five years later. Now he uses his experience to inspire others around the world.
"If being born without arms and legs can save one soul, it's worth it," said Vujicic from the ministry's base in Agoura Hills, Calif.
The 26-year-old will share his story July 5 during morning services at Bay Pointe Community Church. He'll also speak to crowds at Wuerfel Park before the start of the Traverse City Beach Bums game against the Midwest Sliders.
"We are all inspired by Nick Vujicic's story, and we were lucky enough to get him to Traverse City," said Jeremy Crum, Beach Bums assistant general manager and director of sales and marketing. "We think it is such a unique opportunity to see an amazing story up close and personal."
Vujicic's birth -- without limbs except for one small foot with two toes -- came as a shock to his doctors, who were unable to provide reasons for his disability. His devastated parents didn't expect him to live long.
Despite his differences, Vujicic grew up to attend school, where he was often bullied and rejected in his early years. His loneliness and self-esteem eventually reached such a low point that he tried to take his own life. But with his parents' support, he learned to overcome his challenges and began to make friends.
At 15, after reading in the Bible that a man was born blind "so that the works of God may be revealed through Him," he found his faith, he said. And as it grew, he found his purpose in life -- to build a ministry that could reach people all over the world with his message "to never give up on life, to know that all life has value and that you never achieve until you try."
Central to that message, he said, is how God has been his strength.
"All the drugs, sex, alcohol in the world is only temporary. It fades away. Nothing will ever give you peace until you find your faith," he said. "I'm a complete 26-year-old because I know the answers to 'Who am I?' 'Why am I here?' and 'Where am I going?'"
Armed with his Aussie accent and a bachelor's degree in both financial planning and accounting, Vujicic moved to the U.S. two years ago to gain a worldwide platform for his ministry. So far he has made two DVDs, appeared on dozens of YouTube channels and TV shows and traveled across 24 countries, speaking to everyone from government leaders, church congregations and school groups to "orphans and sex slaves." He also has a corporate motivational speaking company called "Attitude Is Altitude" and hopes to begin work on a book called "No Arms, No Legs, No Worries!"'
Next year he plans to spread his message even further with appearances on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and "Larry King Live," fulfilling a longtime dream.
Living up to his slogan, "from a life without limbs to a life without limits," Vujicic travels with the help of an electric wheelchair and a caregiver -- one of three who rotate his care. He handles his personal needs independently, from brushing his teeth and shaving to dressing and combing his hair. When he can work it into his busy schedule, he likes to swim, fish and play soccer.
"I think he's just a very inspirational person," said Polly Sonneveldt, event coordinator at Bay Pointe Community Church, where Vujicic will speak at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services on July 5. "He's got a tremendous handicap and yet when you see him and hear him you don't see a handicap. The thing that I appreciate about him is he's transparent about the fact that there were days that were hard and 'Why me?' He doesn't paint a (perfect) picture. He's open and honest, and that's what we all need to hear."
While his talks are appropriate for people of all ages, Sonneveldt believes they may have a special impact on teens.
"So many times at that age you tend to think you're invincible and to feel sorry for yourself when things don't go well," she said. "When you see what he does, you can't help but be inspired and motivated by that."
