How to beat the bullies, now in Thai thanks to Nick and Nanmee
Australian Nick Vujicic was born without arms or legs, an immensely challenging condition clinically known as Tetra-amelia Syndrome but, to the bullies of his childhood, a chance for some fun.
You’ve probably at least seen Vujicic’s videos – he’s a popular motivational speaker who delivers a powerful message about getting past handicaps large and small and just living life to its fullest regardless.
His message is also an inspiration to people everywhere who’ve been picked on just for being “different”. Schools love having him in to talk to the kids and reassure them that life’s inequities can always be overcome. The guy’s got heart and he loves to share it.
Vujicic has just released his third book to spread his message, “Stand Strong”, and once again it’s been an instant best-seller and, once again, Nanmee Books has had it translated into Thai.
The Thai edition is to be unveiled tomorrow at 1.30pm at the Nai In Bookshop at CentralWorld. This book, translated by Ploysaeng Ekyati, is especially for students and offers a strategy for developing your own “Bully Defence System”.
Vujicic was in Bangkok last year to give a talk and, while he won’t be here in person this time, his previous books have always sold well in Thailand – 27,000 copies of “Life without Limits” and 16,000 of “Unstoppable”. Nanmee Books paid for the Thai-translation rights to all three works.
Kim Chongsatitwatana, the firm’s deputy managing director, tells Soopsip she felt “very humbled” after watching a video of the Australian’s talk in Bangkok.
“I really admire his strong heart and his philosophy on life. I’ve read ‘Stand Strong’ and I believe his ideas for coping with bullies will be useful to any Thai readers who have to endure that. We’re pleased to be sharing Nick’s valuable experience with our readers.
Kim notes that the author is a Christian but she sees his outlook as being “close to Buddhism”.
“However, the bullying issue is universal,” Kim says. “No matter whether you’re overweight or just behave a little differently than others do, you might have to face bullies. I think this book will encourage anyone who’s been bullied to become stronger.”
Also speaking highly of Vujicic is comedienne John Mokjok, who’s not only been bullied because of her short stature but also suffered tragic family losses in recent years. The 48-year-old comic, born Suphaphit Buatik, got right back into show business and regards making people laugh as a form of therapy for life’s setbacks.
Rosalina Kularb Alexander, chairperson of the Rainbow Room, a non-profit special-needs awareness centre, wrote the preface for “Stand Strong”. The centre helps people with developmental and behavioural issues like Down syndrome, autism, Asperger’s, cerebral palsy and attention-deficit disorder, as well as their family and friends. It too deals with insecurities stemming from bullying.
“We raise positive awareness through the sharing of information, experiences, encouragement and empowerment, using the ‘Parent-to-Parent’ model,” Alexander says. “The goal is to inspire better opportunities through community acceptance.”
“Opportunity” is a key word for Nick Vujicic too. He advises anyone who’s being bullied to stand up to the challenge, insisting that people have greater power over their feelings than they might think. You need to turn the terror of being bullied into a great opportunity, he writes.
