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ALVIN LAW
Motivational & Inspirational Speaker
When Alvin Law was a child, having no arms was little more than an obstacle. His family taught him he could be whatever he wanted to be and that anything was possible with a lot of hard work and a proper attitude.Today, Alvin is one of Canada's most highly-sought after inspirational speakers.
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Born in 1960, Alvin very quickly became a celebrity. He was one of Canada's first "Thalidomide Babies", known for bodies deformed due to the infamous morning sickness drug. Alvin was born without arms, and soon after birth was given up for adoption. Experts said he would never be independent and if he reached adulthood his quality of life would be negligible. But Alvin was raised by elderly foster parents who taught him to use his feet and made him believe anything is possible with the right attitude.His sometimes humorous, sometimes serious but always honest observations allow his audience to enter into his life and feel both the pain and elation that all human beings experience. As one might expect, Alvin says the most challenging period of his life was adolescence and it is that tremendous insight that connects him with people all over the world. As Alvin tells his audience, "When you believe in yourself, any handicap can be overcome, the key is your attitude". Alvin's infectious attitude is one everyone should be a witness to.
In 2006, he released a book on his remarkable story so far, Alvin's Laws of Life: 5 Steps To Successfully Overcome Anything. He has been featured in two award-winning documentaries for CBC Television's National Network, and one for PBS Frontline, which was nominated for an Emmy. Another short story on ABC Television's Frontrunners did receive an Emmy, but his personal favorite remains the guest spot he appeared in on FOX TV's X-Files.
PRESENTATION TOPICS >>>ALVIN’S LAWS OF LIFE
Suggested Program Length – 60 to 90 minutes
Drawing on 25 years experience as a speaker, but more importantly 45 years experience living life without arms, Alvin presents what he calls Alvin's Laws of Life. Using vivid imagery in telling his life story, Alvin’s exploration on Attitude, Learning, Value, Imagination and a Never Give Up Approach shows not how he overcame the immense challenges brought on through being born without arms, but how everyone can overcome their own challenges in life.
When Alvin Law was born without arms, medical and rehabilitation experts predicted a life of constant care that might be best provided by institutionalization. Desperately hurt and feeling helpless, his family gave him up for adoption. The only people willing to take a chance were elderly foster-parents without even a day spent in high school. Society would come to know children like Alvin as “Thalidomide Babies” and treat them with a mixture of sympathy and disgust. The odds were not in Alvin’s favor.
Today, Alvin Law is married; is a father; is an accomplished musician, broadcaster, fund-raiser and owns his own communications business. Since 1988 he has spoken to over one million people in Canada, the U.S. and Australia. He is completely independent and his abilities far outweigh his so-called “disability”. How is it possible for someone to succeed in the face of so much opposition?
That question provides the foundation for a presentation that will make you laugh, cry and most of all, think about the power each of us possesses. A power that we cannot only use for our own benefit, but a power that can transform those we deal with everyday.
Many describe Alvin’s use of his feet (he plays the piano and snare drum in the program) as amazing. But, as you will see, this is more than just another motivational speech about human achievement. It challenges our perceptions of the status quo and perhaps most important, it’s real. As Alvin would stress, this program isn’t just about what he has done, but what is truly possible for everyone. It’s about life, something we all have in common.
THERE'S NO SUCH WORD AS CAN'T!!Aimed at adolescents and young adults, this program challenges the audience to believe that anything is possible with the right attitude. Alvin talks about growing up in the sixties when attitudes towards disabilities were anything but positive, including being stereotyped as severely crippled.
With the support of his parents, teachers and friends, Alvin not only overcame his disability, but participated in most sports and music. But the pressures of school and adolescence gave Alvin his biggest challenge of all.
You will laugh and cry as you hear and see how, by using very talented feet, and more important, a good attitude, Alvin not only learned to accept his difference, but appreciate it. Alvin believes that what you see when you look in a mirror, should be the beauty of individuality, not the ugliness of imperfection. The next logical step becomes seeing others that way as well.
These idealistic views are common among speakers, but the visual impact of Alvin playing a drum with his feet and his infectious energy will never leave you.
Over 1.5 million students across North America and around the world have been touched by Alvin's inspiring self image. The most consistent comment from school administrators is Alvin's ability to keep a full-school assembly not just captivated, but asking for more.
The most consistent comment from the students says it all: "His humour, his honesty, his sincerity makes you realize that not only is it okay to be yourself, it's the only way to be!"
AUDIENCE COMMENTS >>>"Although we all have a story to tell and mountains to climb, you have the undeniable gift to tell your story in a way that inspires each of us to appreciate those challenges and perhaps more importantly, the people we are climbing with. Your incredible ability to colorfully share your life allows us to see that almost anything is achievable and to respect the difference individually we can make in each other's lives."
- Telus
"I have just received an education from you in attitude, in overcoming adversity and in celebrating one's life. I found at various moments your presentation to be filled with such emotion that I was close to tears, and yet at other moments I was chuckling with laughter."
- McKeough Supply Inc.
"The response we have had to your presentation was beyond any that we have received in the past. Each of us present were touched and impressed by you and your remarkable perseverance."
- Hicks Financial Solution
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your presentation on 'Challenging Yourself'. Feedback for this event has been overwhelming and very positive. Great presentation. Right on the money. Evaluation response said you were the best."
- Northern Executive Council
CLIENTS >>>A long and very extensive list of companies, associations, organizations and satisfied clients is available upon request.
