News Releases

NBCC to welcome humanitarian Spencer West
April 3, 2017 | 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
NBCC Woodstock Campus

On Monday, April 3, humanitarian Spencer West  share his inspiring story and challenge New Brunswick Community College students and staff to “redefine possible.”  He will be speaking at the NBCC Woodstock Campus and will be livestreamed to students, staff and invited guests at all other NBCC locations. This event is presented by NBCC’s award-winning Robertson Institute for Community Leadership.

To arrange interviews with Spencer West, please contact:
Heather Allaby
Community & Government Relations Advisor
t: (506) 444-3320   c: (506) 238-1639 | heather.allaby@nbcc.ca                     

Who is Spencer West?

After losing both legs from the pelvis down at the age of five, Spencer West tackled challenge after challenge, learning to navigate in a world set against those with disabilities. 

Spencer has shared the stage with luminaries such as former US vice-president Al Gore, Dr. Jane Goodall, Rick Hansen, Mia Farrow, Martin Sheen, Martin Luther King III, former president Mikhail Gorbachev, Prince William, Orlando Bloom, Natalie Portman and musicians such as Macklemore, Jason Mraz, The Kenyan Boys Choir, Jennifer Hudson and Nelly Furtado. He was also honored to be invited by Demi Lovato to appear as an opening act, on her North American 2014 World Tour where he spoke to hundreds of thousands of her fans.

Spencer is the author of the bestselling book Standing Tall: My Journey, and star of the 2012 documentary film Redefine Possible: The Story of Spencer West. He has been featured countless times in the media, including on 60 Minutes, ABC News, BBC, CNN, CTV and TMZ. He is the recipient of the Fervent Global Love of Lives Medal from Taiwan’s Cultural and Education Foundation, and served as the Man in Motion Medal Bearer for the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay of Difference Makers.

Spencer has accomplished many amazing things throughout his journey to redefine his own possible. In 2012, he was the featured keynote speaker at the YPO/WPO Global Summit in Istanbul, Turkey, and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro on his hands and in his wheelchair to bring the world’s attention to the devastating drought in Kenya. In 2013, Spencer completed an epic 300 km (187 mile) trek by wheelchair and on his hands from Edmonton to Calgary, Canada to raise awareness and money for Free The Children’s clean water projects. But Spencer did not stop there. In 2014, he headed on a 10-week cross-Canada road trip called “The We Create Change Tour” to bring thanks to schools and corporations throughout the country.

Spencer continues to spend his time speaking to audiences around the world and facilitating trips in Free The Children communities teaching others how to transform lives where the need is greatest.