ABILITY IN YOUR
DISABILITY
Nick Vujicic: does that name ring a bell? This dude is a man
whom I admire so much. His real name is Nicholas James, an
Australian Christian motivational speaker and evangelist
born with phocomelia, a rare disorder characterised by the
absence of legs and arms. I believe that his life and
achievements should ser ve as a challenge and
encouragement to all who feels that they can never make it in
life due to their disabilities and to those that are attempting to
commit suicide because of rejection, frustration, depression
and the likes.
Nicky was born in December 1982 without arms or legs, a
great disability that would have made him miserable and
discouraged from living a fulfilled life, like so many persons are
today. Unlike many, he came to understand that his
disabilities are but obstacles that need to be set as stepping
stones to his greatness and the achievements of his desired
goals and fulfilment of his destiny. In so doing, he built himself
with this mind-set that "there are abilities in every of our
disabilities, if only we could take out time to discover them".
Before we proceed, I will like us to look into the word disability
for a moment: what exactly does it mean to be "disabled"?
According to the English dictionary, disability simply means
deprivation or want of ability; the absence of competent
physical, intellectual, or moral power, means, fitness and the
like. Comparing the dictionary definition of disability and
Nicky's lifestyle and achievements, you will agree with me
that disability is much more than the mere absence of
competent physical or intellectual ability, in that it involves
the state of the mind.
Nicky's way of life serves as both a challenge and
encouragement to all those who feel that suicide is the only
way out of depression or life terrible experiences and to those
who are offering excuses and blaming others for their failures.
Despite suffering from issues with bullying and depression
during his childhood, Nicky thrived in his teenage and young
adult years. During his secondary school, he was elected vice
captain of Runcorn State High School in Queensland and
worked with the Student Council on fundraising events for
local charities and disabilities campaigns— a guy without
limbs or arms. Does this sound like a person with disabilities?
When faced with life challenges and at the verge of giving up,
the question we should always ask ourselves is, "Is this worth
losing my joy?
Nicky believed and acknowledged that he and he alone was
responsible for his happiness, success and failure in life, not
the people around him, his appearance or his condition. He
made up his mind to live a happy and fulfilled life despite his
shortcomings or disabilities, as many will call it. He looked
away from his physical appearance that beckoned for self-pity,
depression and a life of a beggar and looked within himself,
embracing the courage and self-confidence that he could do
all things in spite of the signals that his physical body was
giving to him. In Nicky, I find the fulfilment of the scripture, "I
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can do all things through Christ that strengthens me"
(Philippians 4:13) and through him, I discovered that, in
every of our disabilities, there is an ability awaiting to break
forth.
Let's take our minds off Nicky for a while and focus on you.
What is your excuse for not wanting to push forward
towards achieving that goal, vision or dream of yours? What
is making you bitter, depressed and frustrated to the point
that you feel taking your precious life is the only way out?
What is that situation or challenge with which you are
confronted daily? What are your disabilities that bullies use
to down grade you or make you feel you are a nobody or a
worthless fellow?
Nicky has no limbs, remember? Yet, stands tall. He rose
above all his so-called disabilities that would have kept him
down & made him live a life of self-pity, sorrow and pain. It
obviously was not easy for him, but he choose not to
surrender to self-pity and to the pity from friends and family
members. He demonstrated a degree of independence
despite his disability. If Nicky could make it, what makes
you think you cannot? Self-pity in itself is disability
personified.
Let us be encouraged by Nicky's attitude and draw strength
from his life experiences. Did I mention that he is the
founder of the organisations "Life without limbs" and
"Attitude is Altitude"? He is also happily married to Kanae
Miyahara and blessed with two kids.
What do you regard as your disability? What do you feel is
preventing you from achieving your goal, vision and
purpose in life? “I cannot" is the attitude of a failure and a
brother of "I don't want to". Stop saying you cannot. Stop
feeling you cannot and quit thinking you cannot. Until you
stop these, you can never achieve anything in life. Believe
in yourself. See every disappointment as a way to a better
appointment and believe that there is an ability in every
disability, waiting to break forth. Jesus Is Lord
Remain Ever Blessed
BRO. EVANS EGUALEONA