For people living with cerebral palsy, everyday activities can require extra effort due to challenges with movement and muscle control. Yet for 26-year-old Tham Chan Feng, the condition has never defined the limits of his life.
At first glance, Chan Feng’s daily routine may seem ordinary. He wakes up, starts his car, accepts ride requests, and spends the day driving passengers to their destinations. Between trips, he might stop for a plate of chicken rice or a glass of iced Milo before continuing his shift.
But behind this simple routine lies a story of resilience and quiet courage.For the past three years, Chan Feng has been working as an e-hailing driver, building a life that offers both financial independence and personal freedom.
Growing Up With Cerebral Palsy
Chan Feng was born with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects both his movement and speech.
In daily life, expressing himself can sometimes be difficult, which occasionally leads to misunderstandings when others struggle to understand what he is trying to say.
These challenges were present from a young age.
Chan Feng began his education at a special primary school, where he initially struggled academically. However, his determination began to emerge during his secondary school years.
He decided to take his studies more seriously and gradually improved his performance.
“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 finishing school, Chan Feng had already started working part-time, motivated by a strong desire to become financially independent as early as possible.
Throughout his youth, many everyday tasks required extra effort. Opportunities were sometimes limited because communication was not always smooth.
“Because I could not always communicate clearly, many opportunities were difficult for me to pursue or complete.”
Yet instead of allowing these challenges to define him, Chan Feng focused on moving forward step by step.
Finding Independence Through E-Hailing
Before entering the e-hailing industry, Chan Feng worked as a customer service assistant. The role offered limited satisfaction and did not provide EPF contributions, making long-term financial security uncertain.
Seeking greater stability and independence, he began exploring other options.
Driving had always been something he enjoyed, and the flexibility offered by e-hailing platforms appealed to him.
The decision to become a driver marked a turning point in his life.
Today, after three years on the road, Chan Feng earns enough to support his daily living expenses while enjoying the independence that the job provides.
For him, driving represents more than just income. It is a symbol of autonomy.
Every trip completed is another reminder that he is capable of shaping his own path.
Encounters On The Road
Like many in the service industry, Chan Feng has experienced both kindness and criticism from passengers.
There have been moments when customers expressed encouragement and appreciation, gestures that he remembers with gratitude.
One such moment occurred when a passenger gave him a particularly generous tip.
“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.”
However, there have also been more difficult encounters.
Some passengers have questioned whether he was capable of driving safely after noticing his physical condition. On one occasion, he overheard a passenger expressing concern over the phone about being driven by someone with a disability.
Rather than reacting emotionally, Chan Feng chose to remain focused on professionalism.
“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.”
For Chan Feng, the priority has always been simple: deliver passengers safely to their destinations.
Life Beyond Cerebral Palsy
Outside of driving, Chan Feng enjoys activities that many people his age share.
He spends time playing sports, listening to music, travelling, and chatting with friends, simple activities that bring balance to his daily routine.
More recently, he has also begun sharing parts of his journey on the social media platform Xiaohongshu, documenting what it is like to work as an OKU e-hailing driver.
Through these posts, he offers viewers a glimpse into the realities of his daily routine, from the challenges he faces on the road to the small moments that make the job meaningful.
The response from viewers has been encouraging, and Chan Feng hopes that sharing his experiences can inspire others facing similar challenges.
Steering His Own Path
Looking ahead, Chan Feng remains open to new opportunities. Living with cerebral palsy, he has learned that life’s direction is not determined by circumstances but by the choices one makes along the way.
If he eventually leaves the e-hailing industry, he hopes to explore social media content creation, using the platform to share more about his experiences and daily life while living with cerebral palsy.
For now, however, he remains focused on his work and the independence it provides.
When asked what message he would share with others facing difficulties, his advice is simple but powerful.
“No matter what difficulties arise, do not give up. Be brave enough to try because life only happens once.”
He summarises his philosophy with a line that reflects both his profession and his outlook on life.
“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.”
For Chan Feng, the road ahead may not always be easy.
But every journey he completes is proof that determination can carry a person further than limitations ever could.
Sources: 1| 2
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