JASON MORRIS:

In your eyes I appear a bit different - because I only have one hand. In '93, while working at a leather factory, my hand was cut off at the wrist by a faulty machine. I was 19 years old and about to sign a professional rugby league career for the St. George Dragons. I was at my peak fitness and mental strength. I never thought something like that could happen to me.

One year before I lost my hand, my 15-year-old brother was killed in a motorcycle accident. Two years later, my father was diagnosed with a terminal illness - Motor Neurone Disease.

I soon realised I looked different. People treated me different, as though I had a mental disability as well.

Despite this, having a disability has made me a stronger, more determined person who looks for ways of saying "I can" instead of "I can't" and "I will" instead of "I won't". It's made me realise that a positive attitude and some determination can help you achieve anything that you set your mind to.

I had to learn how to cope with only one hand pretty quickly, because three months after I lost my hand my daughter was born, with my son coming along a few years after.

I was attracted to the idea of playing the didgeridoo - so I learned how to play, started up a business, and now perform over two hundred shows every year all around Queensland. I also give motivational speeches at corporate functions, schools, and sports clubs.

I now run three businesses, and get the opportunity to speak to people of all ages and walks of life.

It's all about your attitude, it's okay if you look different to the norm - because it's what's in your heart that truly matters ! My nomination for, The Pride Of Australia Award. Category - Overcoming Extreme Adversity & Obsticals, helped me to truly believe this.

And a few more things about me...

After successfully investing the compensation pay out for the loss of my hand in the property market. I was able to buy & sell houses on the Sunshine Coast for 15 years while raising my two beautiful children, of my first wife. Due to our divorce I had to mortgage against the home I owned outright. I made a promise to myself & my children, that this would be our house until they finished High school.

During that time I married Topaz, the love of my life, best friend & amazing stepmother to my children. Eventually we had to succumb to the pressure of a mortgage and had to sell. I did keep my promise to hold on until both of my children finished year 12, moved out and started their own lives.

We walked away with just enough money to buy an Old 1980 Acco 4×4 Bus, which has a significant
part in Australia's history, but that’s another story.

Topaz & I spent the next 12 months fitting it out so we could travel to places we couldn't before, so I could share my Inspiration,     "Didge For kids" &              "The Dude That's Different"   shows with a broader audience while traveling this beautiful country. It was one of the most tumultuous, but exciting 18 months of my life.
We named our new house "DA BEAST" and our new adventure "THE HELPING HAND TOUR".
Unfortunately during the time it took to complete the conversion's on our motorhome Qld council changed it's rule's on parking. Instead of a length restriction of 7 mts, to which our vehicle complied. The law was changed to a weight restriction, to which our vehicle doesn't comply. We are no longer allowed
to park for more than 1hr at a time in certain area's, or risk being fined.            The duration of my show's at
Schools, Childcare Centres, Kindergartens ect is approximately 45 min, plus the time it takes to set up, pack up & for the teachers to seat the children. The change in some Qld & other state's council laws has made it extremely difficult commute, work & live in one vehicle.

"INSIDE A DIFFICULTY ....... LIES AN OPPORTUNITY"

"IT'S ALL ABOUT ATTITUDE"

My attitude & determination not to give up, has seen me through the worst & the best time's over the year's. I have learnt not to be overcome by pain, by my fear's or failure's !

How high can you bounce once you have hit the bottom?

The Helping Hand Tour is off road for now (as I had to purchase a car for work purpose's)
I WILL be back on tour again not too far, in the distant future !

Anything Is Possible ... If You Want It Enough To Work Hard For It ...

If You Do Whatever It Takes ... If You Believe In Yourself ...

If You Trust In Your Heart ... If You Follow Your Dreams ...

If You Never Give up ! ! !

- Jason Morris