BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Samford University began its 2015-16 SAMFORDSTRONG Leadership Academy seminars Tuesday morning with Paralympic medalist Bob Lujano.
 
Lujano talked about his experiences since losing his arms and legs when he contracted meningococcemia, a rare form of meningitis on Jan. 7, 1979.
 
"At the end of the day, no matter what happens in your life, with faith in God and commitment to who you are and knowing that your purpose on Earth is to serve God and to use all of your ability to get through life, you're going to be fine," Lujano said.
 
After moving to Birmingham, Lujano became involved with the Lakeshore Foundation. Through that, he has been a key member of the national champion wheelchair rugby team. He has also been on teams that won a gold medal at the 1999 World Wheelchair Games, and a bronze medal at the 2004 Paralympic Games.
 
Lujano and his teammates were also the subject of the 2005 Academy Award nominated documentary "Murderball", chronicling the team's journey to the Paralympic Games.
 
"This disability is the best thing that's ever happened to me," Lujano said. "Because it's allowed me to work and to travel and represent our country."
 
Lujano, who owns a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and a master's from the University of Tennessee, talked to the group about his faith in God. He gave the student-athletes his "How to Survive" list of faith in God, family support and finding your purpose.
 
"It's about having faith in God and a relationship with God," Lujano said.
 
The SAMFORDSTRONG Leadership Academy is a program jointly developed between the athletics department and the Frances Marlin Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership. Its mission is to bring in successful athletes to share their personal stories and the importance of faith and character to success in all areas of life to Samford student-athletes.
 
The next SAMFORDSTRONG Leadership Academy seminar is scheduled for Oct. 6, when four former Samford student-athletes will reflect on their experiences at Samford as athletes and as students. They will also share what they have learned about life after college. The former student-athletes participating are Isaac Cooper (Football), Emily London (Women's Basketball), Josh Martin (Baseball), and Taylor Palmer (Volleyball).