Man Born Without Limbs Encourages With 'If I Can' Motto - Short Inspirational Story Of Chris Koch
March 28, 2019
Most people would call life with no arms or legs difficult. But Chris Koch, a man born without limbs, says it's been easy. And this short inspirational story all links back to a joke Chris' grandma made right after his birth.
Chris was perfectly healthy when his parents welcomed him into the world. He was simply missing both of his arms and legs. And when the news traveled to Chris' grandma a few hours later, she immediately cracked a joke about Chris' father, Bruce.
"Bruce never did finish anything he started," she quipped.
RELATED: The Unbelievable True Story of Kyle Maynard: No Hands, No Feet, No Excuses
In today's politically correct culture, some might consider the comment insensitive. But Chris credits his grandma's response as setting the tone for the rest of his life.
[caption id="attachment_63225" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Credit: Chris Koch/If I Can[/caption]"I attribute that dry and quirky sense of humor as the reason why I can honestly say that growing up without arms and legs was quite easy," Chris said.
Growing Up Without Limbs
Chris Koch grew up in Nanton, Alberta, a small farming and ranching community in Canada.
"My childhood was pretty normal," he explained. "I wasn’t raised like this kid that is missing arms and legs or a kid with a disability. I was just Chris."
Chris' family loved and accepted him just as God made him. They believed in him. And for this reason, Chris' parents refused to pity or baby him.
"If you tell somebody something enough times, they’ll start to believe it," Chris explained. "If I told you your whole life that you’re worthless and you’ll never amount to anything, you’re going to start feeling worthless and you’re not going to amount to anything. I was never told that I couldn’t do something; if I wanted to learn how to snowboard or play soccer, it was always, ‘Oh yeah, let’s try it'."
And so, Chris grew up going to school and playing sports, just like everyone else. His parents expected him to keep his grades up, as well as help around the house and on the farm.
"Life was pretty normal," Chris Koch said. "Sure, I had to do things a little differently and maybe took a little bit longer to complete tasks. But I was determined to be just like the rest and I was always treated just like the rest."
Man Born Without Limbs Inspires Others With 'If I Can' Motto
Because of his parents' approach, Chris has already achieved so much in his life. And as a result, he began receiving invitations to share his short inspirational story with others.
It started small, with invitations from local schools and rotary clubs. But before long, it became clear God had a special purpose for him.
RELATED: Born Without Arms Or Legs, Woman Overcomes More Than Just Disability
Chris started traveling all over the place as a motivational speaker, expanding his message into a full-time ministry of sorts. When he's not working on the farm, a job he loves, Chris is encouraging others.
Everything revolves around Chris' "If I Can" motto.
"If a guy without arms or legs can snowboard, surf, work on a farm and travel the world, anybody can do anything," he explains. "It’s a mindset."
Chris Koch's Inspiring Message Applies To All Of Us
His real-life overcomer story brings so much hope to others. Because regardless of our God-given talents, so many people are held back by the "I can't do that" lie.
"I always tell people that I’m more afraid of regret than I am of failure. At least try," Chris says. "Don’t look back on life saying, ‘I wish I would have done this.’"
Too often, people mistakenly define those with disabilities by what they can't do. But Chris Koch, a man born without limbs, is living proof that, with hard work and perseverance, the "can" list far outweighs the lists of "cannot".
And Chris' advice to always try is sound advice for all of us.
"You learn a lot from your mistakes," he says. "You fall down and pick yourself up, dust yourself off, figure out what you need to do for yourself to prevent that from happening again and give it another go."
WATCH: Chris Koch, Man Born Without Limbs, Shares His Inspirational Story
"We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed -- We are perplexed, but not driven to despair -- We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God -- We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9
h/t: Newsner
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Inspirational Short Story Of Nick Vujicic, A Man Born Without Limbs
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Past Stories
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
- Rock Singer's Powerful Rendition of 'I Will Always Love You'
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.