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Over 13,000
babies around the world were deformed in the early
1960’s because of a morning sickness drug,
Thalidomide. Alvin Law was born without arms after
his birth mother, thinking it was completely safe,
used just a couple of the tiny pills and their lives
were forever altered.
Yet, what may have become a tragic life-story did
not turn out that way. Today, Alvin is not only a
completely independent, remarkably successful
professional speaker, but proof that out of nothing
can arise one of the most inspiring stories you will
ever witness.
Faced with no hope in their minds, Alvin’s birth
family courageously gave him up for adoption, hoping
and praying that someone else may be more prepared
for the welfare of this pitiful newborn. Their
prayers were answered.
Hilda Law was a fifty-five year old foster mother,
who, along with her husband, Jack, took in neglected
and abused children, loved and encouraged them back
from their hopelessness and through social service
programs, sent them to couples yearning for
adoptions. They were truly special people.
One day in 1960, the most disturbing case they had
ever seen was presented to them. Take in a sickly,
deformed baby whose future seemed certain. He would
never possess any quality of life but he deserved
more. Who knew?
Not only did Hilda nurse him back to health, but her
intuition said lurking inside this impossible
scenario was hope. Through the Law’s faith,
dedication and infinite belief, little Alvin learned
to use his feet for hands.
Alvin attended regular schools in a day when
handicapped children were relegated to institutions
or at best, schools that segregated them from the
normal students. Remarkable teachers saw his
potential and worked with the family to encourage
that potential.
Then like a genie in a bottle, Alvin was recognized
for his musical ability and he joined the band.
Within an impossibly short time, he became an award
winning musician and graduated from high school with
honors. He then graduated, again with honors, from
College and embarked on a career in Broadcasting.
In 1981, he took a hiatus from disc-jockeying in FM
Radio and joined a company who, through a federal
grant of the International Year of Disabled Persons,
conducted awareness seminars in hundreds of schools
across the province of Alberta, Canada. Thus began
his adventures in the field of motivational
speaking.
After working for the Saskatchewan Abilities
Council, an Easter Seals agency, he ran,
unsuccessfully, for a seat in the Provincial
Legislature. He also worked in advertising, public
relations and the civil service of his beloved home
province.
In 1985, his pride and joy, Vance, was born. In 1988
he quit a lucrative government job, fulfilled a
long-time dream and created AJL Communications Ltd.
His career as a full-time professional speaker was
born.
Since 1976, Alvin has played a direct role in
raising over $150,000,000 for charity. He’s also
dabbled in acting, playing a role in a quirky
creative film, Julien: Donkey Boy and in a life
highlight, played an armless preacher in an episode
of the hit television series, The X-Files. Alvin has
appeared on countless telethons, media features and
has been the subject of two award winning television
documentaries. The first, "Alvin, His Best Foot
Forward" was shown across Canada in 1978. The
second, "Broken Promises", focused on the plight of
Canada's Thalidomide victims and after its Canadian
showing was seen on American Public Broadcasting's
"Frontline". Re-named "Extraordinary People", it was
nominated for an Emmy Award. Alvin has appeared on
The Joan Rivers Show, "How'd They Do That" on CBS,
CBC's "What On Earth" and ABC's "Frontrunners". This
segment about Alvin received an Emmy Award.
Alvin often says, he always knew angels existed. In
1991, he met one and in 1993, he married Darlene. In
1995, his son Vance came to live with them, and in
2000, they moved to Calgary, Alberta, where they now
reside with Jazper, Ray and Dexter the dogs and
Trixie, the cat. |
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