Walking tall...

His 'Can do' outlook stands disability on its head

THE offerings by the seven "gurus" at the National Achievers' Congress '98 were wide and diverse enough for the "students" from all schools of discipline and profession.

The businessmen, industrialist, entrepreneur, teacher, civil servant, sales and marketing as well as insurance executive could draw individually from these top speakers:

• Mr Mark Victor Hansen dubbed America's Business Motivator by the Fortune 500 Companies. He is better known as the author of the best-seller, Chicken Soup for the Soul series.
• Dr Daniel Goleman, a pyschologist and author, who shows from brain and behavioural research that emotional intelligence is as important as high IQ for success in life.
• Mr Joe Girard, mentioned in The Guiness Book of World Records as the No. 1 Salesperson for his record of selling an average of six new cars a day. In 1973 he sold 1,425 retail cars, setting a world record.
• Mr Ron Kaufman, who helped Singapore Airlines set up the renowned Service Quality Centre in 1990, is noted for designing practical and innovative curriculum for the service training industry.
• Ms Amanda Gore specialises in designing seminars that give new information and skills on how to sell in the 21st century and how to communicate more effectively to create rapport.
• Mr Pete Crofts is the best-known humourist out of Australia and founder of the comedy training Humourversity named after him. He believes that humour can help build team spirit and improve communications.
• Mr John Coutis, who is born with a disability that rendered his legs useless, is famous for his "can do" philosophy of life.

For HWA official Eugene Soh, who attended the Congress, Coutis inspired him most as an extraordinary person.

"John Coutis is more enlightening partly because he overcomes his disability and leads an extraordinary life," says Eugene.

"His condition renders him rather helpless, yet he has the will to be independent and pursue his interests in life."

His motto: 'Have fun and enjoy myself in everything I do'

Here is a brief profile of Coutis and his achievements.

John Coutis, an Australian, is only 78 cm tall. But he has been "walking tall" in life.

Born with a severe disability that leaves his legs useless, he has survived through sheer will power.

"To me, not having legs is not a disability. It is a way of life," he says in one of his most inspiring speeches.

"The No. 1 thing is to have a good attitude towards life." His motto: "Have fun and enjoy myself in everything I do."

He says he does not believe in using his disability as an excuse "to sit at home, do nothing".

Neither does he believe in "dwelling on why life is so unfair to me". Nor does he content himself with doing simple things, he says.

"I want to get out there and do my best in everything I want with what I have." He challenges others to chase their dreams too.

"We have all dreams. We should turn dreams into our goals."

John has fulfilled one of his dreams come true when he became the Australian wheelchair table-tennis champion in 1995.

And he is going in for more.

He is training to be selected for the Australian Paralympic team for the Sydney 2000 games in the Power Lifting event.

Other Dreams:

When he was 16 John told his father he wanted to get a car and a driving licence. His dad threw him this challenge: since he could not get a normal car, he must save up to buy his own special car.

John took up the challenge. He worked and earned enough money to get his car.

But another hurdle had to be overcome: getting a driving licence.

'Live life you wish to live... don't let life live you'

He propped himself on a chair behind the counter, looking like he was standing on his feet.

The receptionist asked if he wore spectacles and if he had any disability.

John pushed his body above the table and said: Does this count? She was absolutely speech- less!

Driving gives him a sense of triumph. His disability has always left him trailing others, whether it is walking or doing things. But when driving he is able to keep up alongside other drivers on the road.

The moral of the story is: Live life you wish to live. Don't let life live you.

On How to Overcome Obstacles

"Challenges are bound to come in your way," he says. "No matter how hard they seem, there is surely a way around, either under or over or through them. "Take a direct approach at them cos if you ever turn around, the moment you turn back, the challenge has already grown ten times bigger. "Challenges are out in front of us for a reason, not to put you down but to see how strong you are, to see how much perseverance you have."

On Goal Setting

"Have a goal in your life. Enjoy it so much that you thrive on it. "No matter how bad you think you are, there is always someone worse off. "No matter who you think you are, there is always someone better than you, so that should drive you to do your best."

Opportunity Knocks But Once...

"No matter what you want to your best in, you only get one chance or maybe a few only in your life to do it. Unless you give it your best shot, you are not living."

Teaching Bullies A Lesson

On a trip to Hawaii he went to the beach and saw some small children playing and building sandcastles.

Some bigger boys came along and kicked up the sand castles. The kids were frightened and ran towards their parents. John felt that he must teach the bullies a lesson.

He dug a hole, sat and buried himself in it up the chest level. When the bullies walked by, he called out: "Please give me a hand. My friends have buried me."

Imaging the utter horror, when the bullies found they had pulled off his legs. John doubled over. Then the kids who were with their parents came over with shovels and assured John: "Dont worry, Mister, we'll find your legs back."

They started digging away, much to John's amusement!.

In Training

John drives his own car to the gym at the States Sports Centre. For the past two years he has been doing weight training, lifting 50 kg and 60 kg. His coach is often surprise by john's nimbleness.

But John says: "It's tough, but its got to be done."

At Home

He has fun playing on his playstation Agile and efficient, he moves around his home and takes care of the housekeeping. He makes his own tea, does his laundry, clean up and make his own bed.

Making People Happy

He says everyone gets dealt cards in life and he wishes to get the joker. He wants to make people laugh and laugh himself. Be happy.

When he wakes up every morning, he will say to himself: "I want to make someone laugh today and I'll just do that."

He enjoys what he is doing so much that he thrives on it. He sleeps well.