Nick Vujicic's visit to Hong Kong seems well-timed. As the city reels from the harsh realities of recession, the 25-year-old Australian motivational speaker today starts a six-day stopover here, brimming with positive thought.
Born in Melbourne without arms and legs, Vujicic has always struggled with his rare condition, tetra-amelia syndrome, but has still achieved a double degree in accounting and financial planning, a career in property and stock market investing as well as a nomination in 2005 for Young Australian of the Year.
And when the story of his success appeared on 20/20 and Australia's 60 Minutes, Vujicic became a popular international speaker and moved to California in January last year to better meet demand for his talks. Slated to appear on Larry King Live and The Oprah Winfrey Show next year, he is on an Asian tour and has just arrived from addressing the needy in Mumbai. Now he hopes to remind Hong Kong people how a can-do spirit is key to surviving hard times.
'The financial situation and uncertainty breeds the feeling of fear, and fear is the biggest disability in the world,' he says. 'We have survived another depression and recession, so we should be confident that no matter what comes, we can get through if we come together.'
Vujicic meets earthquake victims in Mianyang, Sichuan, on November 28-29 and returns to Hong Kong for his 26th birthday on December 4. He says he has yet to work out the content of his talks on the mainland.
'I don't want them to think I say I understand their pain because I don't know what they've gone through yet,' he says.
'I just want them to know they are not alone and that there's hope until you give up. If they keep on trying, they can be a miracle of hope and encouragement to someone else who also went through the same thing.'
