Popular Canadian motivational speaker Alvin Law returned to Stettler, where he inspired people to reach their potential and overcome physical and emotional challenges.
“My parents taught me one thing that reality is extremely painful and so is the joy of life,” said Law, who was guest speaker at the annual Stettler Business and Citizenship Awards which were presented Oct. 21 by Stettler Regional Board of Trade and Community Development at Stettler Community Hall.
Born without arms as a casualty of the 1960s drug Thalidomide, Law encouraged people to overcome life’s difficulties as he did while growing up with his foster parents, Jack and Hilda Law in Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
Using his feet along, he learned to perform regular routines and has mastered skills to eat, dress and groom himself, drive, sew, play sports, play drums, piano and trombone.
Author of the book “Alvin’s Laws of Life – Five Steps to Successfully Overcome Anything”, Law said in his speech at the awards ceremony:
“Inside every person is the power for greatness,” said Law.
“The goal of your life should be to be authentic, be who you are and proud of where you are – to make your community better.”
Ridiculed for his deformed body and his strange name, Alvin, during his teen years and even shamed by adults, he showed his big heart and proved that he was simply another normal person, although he was born without arms.
“It is what it is,” Law stated his favourite expression.
“It’s about putting things into perspective.”
Married with one son, nothing seems to be impossible for him.
“We can get through anything because we’ve been through so many things,” said Law.
Now a professional motivational speaker and broadcaster, he was inspired by a motivational speaker in 1976 at school.
“I felt pretty ugly, but the motivational speaker said you can do anything in this life if you have a dream,” said Law.
“I didn’t think I was going to go anywhere in life.”
But that challenged him to overcome his low self-esteem and low potential people saw in him.
“It’s how you respond,” said Law.
“I never gave up completely – I couldn’t do it by myself.”
He was encouraged by his parents and special teachers in his life.
“I love being in this life, because mom had so much fun.”
“It’s when things are the worst that you need the best attitude.”
He told the story of times he would throw rocks at bullies accurately at 50 feet away – with his feet.
“Life is great with a attitude of gratitude and when you surround yourself with positive people,” he said.
“Hang out with life-lovers.”
For more on Alvin Law, visit his website at www.alvinlaw.com.