In his travels, Nick Vujicic has spoken in 54 countries and had nearly 3,000 speaking engagements. He has given presentations on bullying at hundreds of schools. On Kauai, he gave two public programs and talked at seven schools on bullying
In his travels, Nick Vujicic has spoken in 54 countries and had nearly 3,000 speaking engagements. He has given presentations on bullying at hundreds of schools.
On Kauai, he gave two public programs and talked at seven schools on bullying and why it must be stopped. His time here, he said, was among his most memorable. Not necessarily good.
“It was just intense,” he said. “You guys are in a lot of pain.”
Most schools have similar challenges and issues, he said. But Vujicic sensed something troubling in Kauai’s young people. It was something he picked up on right away, and it bothered him.
“All in all, you have a very high rate of people wanting to give up,” he said.
By give up, he was speaking of those considering suicide.
“I want you to know, it sort of baffled me and my team, a little bit, to think, it’s so beautiful, Kauai is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to in my life,” Vujicic said. “And yet, there’s so much pain, there’s so much suffering, there’s so much abuse, there’s so much substance abuse. There’s so much culturally acceptable things that really shouldn’t be accepted.”
The 31-year-old Vujicic was joined by Kauai’s Bethany Hamilton on Tuesday night at Ha Coffee Bar in Lihue for a conversation before an estimated 100 people, some standing outside, unable to get in.
Both know about facing trials and overcoming challenges.
Vujicic was born with no arms and no legs. Hamilton lost her left arm in a shark attack on Oct. 31, 2003, while surfing at Tunnels Beach when she was 13. But each has endured, persevered and succeeded.
Both are motivational speakers. Both lead nonprofit foundations. Vujicic’s is called “Life without Limbs,” while Hamilton’s is “Friends of Bethany Foundation.” Both have books about their lives. Both have met presidents. Both have traveled the world. Both have impacted millions. Both are Christians and are known for their faith. Both have incredibly busy schedules and place a priority on being with loved ones. For Nick, that’s wife Kanae and son, Kiyoshi. For Bethany, that’s husband Adam.
In the small, intimate setting, the two — who met when Bethany took Nick surfing — were relaxed and at ease in the spotlight. Neither voiced regret about missing limbs. They referred to their united front Tuesday as a platform to share hope and love with others, “especially the younger generation throughout America, throughout the world.”
Hamilton said they want people to know they can overcome challenges with strength from God.
“We’re sharing that hope that we have,” the 24-year-old said.
Hamilton, a top surfer whose life was the subject of the movie, “Soul Surfer,” recently won the Surf n Sea Pipeline Women’s Pro on Oahu.
“All those workout days and hours and hours in the surf finally paid off,” she said, smiling as the crowd cheered.
Both learned life’s lessons from their parents.
Hamilton said she fell in love with the ocean when she was young, raised on Kauai by parents Tom and Cheri, along with brothers Noah and Tim. Her parents worked hard, held several jobs and still spent time with their children and introduced them to the beach and water.
Bethany loved and excelled at surfing.
“But I knew there would be something more in my life,” she said.
After the shark attack, Bethany said she didn’t know what was ahead, but she remembered being in the hospital and knew she couldn’t quit on what she loved.
“I still had that hope that Christ had something more for my life,” she said.
Three weeks later, she was back in the water.
Vujicic, an Australian with a sense of humor, said his parents loved, encouraged and praised him. They told him not to worry about what others said and to never give up.
“I’m so blessed to have the parents who taught me to be thankful for what I have, instead of being angry for what I don’t have,” he said.
Still, as he faced bullying and taunting, his faith faltered. At age 10, he tried to commit suicide.
“For a moment as a kid, I was really hating God,” he said.
His despair didn’t last.
He said despite the broken pieces people may have in their lives, something beautiful can come from it. So when the unexpected happens, when a curveball comes your way, don’t surrender, he said. Reach out and let others into your life. Let them help.
“The grace of God is such that when you can’t walk, he’ll carry you. And that’s what tonight is all about,” he said.
He said nearly 13 percent of teens in Hawaii have tried to commit suicide. More have considered it. He urged young people not to believe that they don’t matter.
“Guys, there is a purpose to your life, and we want you to hear it loud and clear.”
He said being in a broken home is worse than having no arms and legs.
“Fear will cripple you more than a shark attack. Fear will cripple you more than being limbless,” he said. “We want you to know you can break through your fears.”
Everyone can have a positive impact on the lives of those around them, he said, and then proved it.
“With the permission of the person next to you, give them a high five, give them a hug,” a grinning Vujicic said.
While growing up on Kauai, Hamilton said, she saw some of the troubles her peers faced and could feel their doubts. Some didn’t believe they could make a difference, so they didn’t have dreams and goals.
“They don’t really gain any ambition to go out in to the world,” she said.
These days, when Hamilton hangs with kids, she encourages, praises and builds them up.
“I remind them they can get out there and achieve so much,” she said.
Nick and Bethany’s messages hit home. There was plenty of laughter, smiles, jokes and applause throughout the evening. Toward the end, people bowed their heads in prayer.
“Bethany and Nick give us inspiration to know, even without limbs, you can impact and hug the world,” said Sarah Hill, who listened to their talk. “You can use your life to be a platform for many lives, to have hope.”
Keli Wilson of Koloa attended with daughter, Ariana.
“Through their challenges, they’ve been able to reach out to people all across the world,” Keli Wilson said.
“I think they’re amazing, life-changing and inspirational,” added Ariana Wilson. “They helped me so much.”
