Speaker tells of life without legs
Students and faculty crowded into the TSC Ballroom Wednesday morning to hear the story of Spencer West, a man who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro without legs. ASUSU invited West as the first speaker to kick off the Common Hour lecture series.
West began his lecture with joke about how he lost his legs in a magic trick gone wrong.
“I wanted to make you laugh,” West said. “The world needs a lot more laughter.”
West said he lost his legs because of a rare genetic disease. His parents were told by the doctors that he would never sit up and he probably would never be a functioning individual in society, he said.
Surgeons amputated West’s legs just below his pelvis when he was five, but he said he overcame his challenges and looked beyond himself to see rest of the world.
West said because of his disability, he was bullied in school. Bullying happens everywhere, in every school, and in some cases bullying has tragic consequences, he said.
“If a community excludes one of its members, then it isn’t really a community,” he said.
West said as motivational speaker, he wants to inspire others to make a difference in the world.
“We are the generation we’ve been waiting for,” he said. “We have the resources, the technology, and the education. It’s all about recognizing our power to do so.”
ASUSU Arts and Lectures Director Luke Ensign said West did a great job as the first Common Hour speaker.
“I think Common Hour was a great success,” Ensign said. “I hope it catches on. The students that came enjoyed it and I think they will come back.”
West told his audience the story of Matthew Shepard, a gay student of University of Wyoming who was murdered in 1998.
“Instead of singling each other out for our differences, let’s celebrate our differences,” West said. “If we were all the same, how boring the world would be.”
He said his parents have not only been his support group, but his heroes. Instead of focusing on his weakness, they focused on his strengths, he said.
“I didn’t know I was different unless I went out in public,” West said.
West has learned to swim, was on the cheerleading squad in high school and has learned how to drive.
All students need a support group to help them through difficult times, West said.
“We all face challenges, but they are no less impactful to each individual,” he said.
West said people learn lessons by going through these tough times so they can teach others.
West said he struggled during his freshman year of college. His mother told him to snap out of it and make friends.
Shortly thereafter he met filmmaker and USU alumnus Reed Cowen, who became his mentor and friend.
“Just by being you, you are inspirational,” Cowen said to West.
Cowen invited West to travel to Kenya to help build a school for the children with the nonprofit organization Me to We. It was there, West said, he learned he could really make a difference in the world.
“It’s being grateful for something that shows us what we can really give back,” West said.
West said last year he and his two best friends raised more than $500,000 for Kenyans when the country was going through its worst drought in 60 years. With his friends, West began the Redefine Possible campaign and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa.
“If I can do that, you guys can do anything,” he said.
Failure is a very real thing, especially close to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, West said. He didn’t want to go to bed knowing he didn’t do everything he could to achieve his goal, however.
West told the audience to stand up and follow their passions. Then, they too could make a difference in the world, he said.
“I found my power through speaking.” West said, “Find your power and get involved with something you’re passionate about.”
USU student Stephanie Harris said West’s speech made her see the world differently.
“He was inspirational,” Harris said. “He made me feel lazy. I could be making something happen.”
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