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At just 26, Tham Chan Feng bravely takes control of the steering wheel of his own life.
Born with Cerebral Palsy, he refuses to let challenges dictate his future, choosing instead to move forward with courage and self-belief.
For the past three years, he has worked as an e-hailing driver, finding not only independence but also joy in the freedom the job brings.
Every journey he completes is a reminder that he is in charge of his direction, proving that strength lies in daring to drive your own path despite the odds.
Growing up with challenges
Chan Feng was born with Cerebral Palsy, a condition that affects his speech and movement. In daily life, he sometimes struggles to express himself clearly, which can lead to misunderstandings.
There are moments when he feels self-conscious, especially when others are unable to understand what he is trying to say.
Chan Feng’s education journey was also not conventional. He did not sit for SPM and began his schooling in a special primary school where his academic performance was initially weak.
When I entered secondary school, something changed in me. I began taking my studies seriously, and year after year I worked hard enough to rank first in my class until graduation.”
Even before completing secondary school, Chan Feng had already started working part time, determined to gain independence as early as possible.
Throughout his childhood and teenage years, almost everything he attempted felt challenging.
“Because I could not always communicate smoothly, many opportunities were difficult for me to pursue or complete.”
Still, he continued to move forward, learning to rely on quiet perseverance rather than loud declarations.
Finding freedom behind the wheel
Before entering the e-hailing industry, Chan Feng worked as a customer service assistant, which didn’t provide EPF contributions.
Aside from that, he also found little satisfaction in the work as he had limited control over how things were run. Eventually, he decided to seek something more stable and flexible.
His love for driving and his belief that the e-hailing industry offered freedom and reasonable income led him to become an an-hailing driver.
Chan Feng has since been driving for three years and earns an income that is sufficient to cover his living expenses.
“Sometimes, I feel truly moved by kind customers who show care and encouragement.
I still vividly remember the first time I received a huge tip. I was so happy. It may sound materialistic, but the money genuinely helped me and made a real difference in my life,” he recounted.
Dealing with negativity
However, things have not always been smooth as Chan Feng met his share of passengers who whispered behind his back and questioned whether he was capable of driving them around.
One time, a passenger got into my car and I heard her quietly tell someone on her phone that the driver was disabled and seemed dangerous.
“Instead of reacting emotionally, I focused on ensuring a safe and comfortable ride all the way to the airport and proved her wrong through my professionalism and composure.
“There were also passengers who hesitated or refused to ride because of my condition. However, I choose not to dwell on the negative reactions as my priority is to send passengers safely to their destinations,” he said.
Steering down his own path
Beyond work, Chan Feng enjoys playing sports, listening to music, travelling, and chatting with friends.
He has also met other e-hailing drivers with similar conditions—a sight that encourages him deeply.
“If I ever leave the e-hailing industry, I hope to explore opportunities in social media so that I can create a space where I can share my experiences and hopefully inspire more people,” he added.
Despite his disability, he has been actively sharing his journey on social media platform Xiaohongshu, where he documents his life as an OKU e-hailing driver. Through his posts, he offers a glimpse into his daily experiences behind the wheel, the challenges he faces on the road, and the small moments that make the job meaningful.
When asked what advice he would give to those facing similar challenges, Chan Feng’s message was simple yet powerful.
“No matter what difficulties arise, do not give up. Be brave enough to try because life only happens once, and the fear of failure should never outweigh the courage to pursue something meaningful.
I steer my own wheel even on difficult roads, because no matter how challenging the journey becomes, I believe I am the only one who can decide where my destination ends.”
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