Cam Calkoen has turned what were deemed challenges to his advantage and he is now in-demand worldwide.
Cam Calkoen was born with cerebral palsy – and was told his two biggest challenges would be the way he walks and talks.
He chose to embrace and overcome those challenges, becoming a champion sprinter, charity fundraiser and a leading motivational speaker, in demand worldwide.
Cerebral palsy is a physical disability that affects movement and posture, including speech and vocal movements, due to abnormal brain development.
Cam says his disability is an opportunity and his voice is “an accent rather than an impediment. What you see is what you get. I live in a normal house, I drive a normal car, I don’t take any medication, it can’t get worse and it’s really the ultimate test of a mind.”
Cam has helped to build a tuberculosis ward and school library in Vanuatu and his speaking engagements include an appearance on Tedx Talks when the show came to Queenstown.
In 2006 he became one of the youngest recipients worldwide to receive a Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary.
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