Nigel Wall, chief motivational speaker of Ask Leadership Ltd, will host Rajesh Durbal, a US triple amputee athlete for the first time in T&T under the theme No Excuses Tour. In an interview yesterday at the Queen's Park Savannah, Wall, who is also the event organiser of No Excuses Tour, said he was personally inspired by Durbal's achievement and high spirit of determination.
"I was watching a video of him running on a machine and he used the words no excuses and I realised he had no legs and it grabbed me. This was my inspiration to use him to inspire others. "He is an astounding athlete because he competes with able-bodied people. He doesn't just finish he competes with them. Durbal has also competed in the Iron Man race.
"I am also a triathlon athlete so I was astounded when I first heard about him because I know what it is like to compete at that level," Wall said. Wall said the visit is aimed at inspiring people, not only those with disability, but able-bodied people as well, who believe sometimes that they cannot accomplish a task because they are inhibited by one thing or the other.
He said Durbal arrives on May 23 and he is scheduled to visit the children of the Princes Elizabeth Home, where he will deliver a motivational speech. Also on the itinerary are several inspirational sessions and visits to homes and schools, as well as a mass walk around the Savannah on May 27.
Durbal will also visit Tobago, where he will compete in the annual Rainbow Cup Triathlon at Turtle Beach, Black Rock, on May 26. Wall said he planned to take No Excuses Tour, which was born just three months ago, global: "I want No Excuses to become a global phenomenon."
Asked which country he had his eyes set on next, he said T&T was the first tour and they have not planned that far ahead" "But we will continue. It's a sustainable programme that helps people with disabilities."However, Durbal has expressed interest in going to Jamaica and other Caribbean countries, he noted: "We are also working with Growing Leaders Foundation that has access to India, Pakistan and the Middle East."
Wall said he would be working with the consortium of disability organisations and Government representatives in raising awareness and money during Durbal's visit, which will end on May 30. Wall has been a motivational speaker for nine years. The organisation Ask Leadership was formed in 2008 with a simple goal of enhancing specific skill areas for leaders at all levels globally.
About Durbal
Rajesh Durbal was born in 1977 in the US to T&T parents with a congenital deformity of both lower legs and his right arm. He lives in Orlando. He graduated with a BSc in computer information systems from Capella University and landed a lead job at the New York Exchange in 2009.