Dubai: Australian motivational speaker Nick Vujicic, who was born without arms or legs, told thousands of UAE students in Sharjah on Thursday to rise above bullies and resist peer pressure on sex, drugs and alcohol.
Addressing a packed hall in Expo Centre Sharjah, Vujicic, 33, recalled how he was bullied at school — one of the reasons behind his attempted suicide when he was just 10.
Vujicic said bullying happens not just in school, but in governments, media, and businesses as well.
“I just want you to know: Are you someone who encourages somebody or someone who discourages somebody?” he added.
Vujicic, who started his inspirational talks in school after an Indian janitor constantly asked him to do so, said, “It is ok” to turn away from bullies, telling the youth “don’t’ listen to the lies” that they can’t be happy achievers in life.
‘Temporary happiness’
He also spoke out against the pressure on children to “be cool”, explaining “you don’t have to do something just because someone else does it. Money, drugs, sex, alcohol, pornography — I want you to know, if you put your happiness in temporary things, your happiness will be temporary … You need to know the dangers of drugs and these things that can ruin your life”.
Vujicic added: “Make good choices and turn away from these liars … I want you to know, in life you don’t know what you can achieve until you try.”
Abdul Rahman, an Egyptian twelfth grader from Al Mawakeb School in Dubai who was among the attending students, said he and his friends were left inspired by the talk.
“I think all of us have gone through stages of bullying. His speech honestly moved me. Seeing him speaking in front of me and telling me about his experiences, mixing it up with humour, all of it adds up. I was excited to come here and see the man himself.”
Vujicic is giving another talk on Friday night in Dubai. Titled ‘Night of Hope with Nick’, the event will be held at The Dome, Dubai Sports City, from 7pm to 10pm. Tickets start at Dh150 per person.
Vujicic revealed that he will return to Dubai on November 17, 2017 to address a huge crowd in a stadium.
Speaking ahead of Friday’s talk, he said: “I’m delighted to be back in Dubai. I’ve now been here several times and it’s a great place; I can’t wait to get started. We just want to inspire everyone with values and attitudes in life to never give up and really give, especially the young people, the courage and tools to overcome adversity.”
Vujicic, who has flown in specially for the event, was born with phocomelia, a rare disorder characterised by the absence of legs and arms. He started his speaking engagements at the age of 19 and has gone on to found an international non-profit organisation and ministry, Life Without Limbs, and a motivational speaking company called Attitude is Altitude.
