His disability is not an excuse for Tan Wei How to give up his studies or to pursue his dream as a businessman. Although Wei How is physically disabled, the young man who lives with his parent and two brothers in Chemor, Perak, has not given up hope, but rather he has made up his mind to change his status quo. With determination, Wei How has moved out from his comfortable abode to embark on a new journey in TAR College by signing up for a Diploma course in Business Studies (Accounting) at the Perak Branch Campus.
The change of environment a tough experience for Wei How who comes from a poor family. Every month, Wei How survives on a small amount of money provided by his parent for his accommodation as well as other daily expenses.
Wei How tries to act cool riding on his motorcycle.
The issue of being mobile for a disabled person has always been a big problem. It has caused many a disabled person to imprison themselves at home. However, Wei How is glad that he has a motorcycle |
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to help him move around. According to Wei How, he would have to tighten his belt for a week or so if there is a need to repair any wear and tear in his motorcycle. This shows how important the motorcycle is to Wei How.
A group of helpful peers who cherishes Wei How.
On top of that, Wei How discovered that there are a lot of challenges that await him without the assistance from his mother, who always cherishes Wei How back at home. Wei How recalled one of his experiences whereby he nearly fell off balance from a slippery staircase during a rainy day.
Without the help of his family, Wei How begins to learn a lot of new skills which are necessary in his daily life, including laundry, cooking and others. The process of learning is an uphill challenge for Wei How who was once pampered by his parent. Thus, he would often feel depressed when he could not complete some of the household chores on his own. He finally realized throughout all these years, how much his mother has done for him to ensure that everything he needed was in order.
Apart from that, Wei How is thankful that his housemates, who were previously his secondary classmates, are very helpful and kind towards him. They are willing to spend time to assist Wei How in adapting to the new environment away from home.
The challenges in college life have made Wei How, who was once a shy and |
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quiet person, stronger and tougher. His disability no longer draws him back from making new friends. His self-confidence has grown and he has opened up his world to allow others a chance to get to know him and understand him more. Wei How is now able to speak up and to mingle around with people. He is comfortable hanging out with his peers and is able to express his feelings openly.
Wei How is also thankful that TAR College has provided sufficient facilities and assistance to him which in turn has eliminated his feelings of being ‘trapped’. He has been able to go to his classes easily as the college authorities have arranged most of the classes at ground level classrooms. The college’s lecturers and staff are always there to lend him a hand whenever he needs help. A special car park is allotted to him to ease the parking of his motorcycle when he attends classes.
With all the help and support from his family, housemates and TAR College, Wei How hopes to repay them by studying hard for his Diploma. He also aims to fulfill his dream to become a rich and successful businessman so that he can contribute to others who are disabled. “I feel very lucky and happy that I can pursue my studies in TAR College. I do hope that the Advanced Diploma in Accounting will be offered in Perak Branch Campus soon so that I need not stay too far away from my family as this will cause much worry to my parent.”, said Wei How. He added that he will work hard to achieve his dream and to show that even those who are disabled can also be successful in society.
We are proud of Wei How’s steely determination and we admire his guts and strength.
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