KUALA KRAI: Born with deformed limbs and once ridiculed as a beggar, a teacher from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Mengkebang here never let it dampen his spirit.
Perhaps it is hard to imagine what life is like for Hashim Mohamad, 29, who can only use his right hand to help him move, but he is gainfully employed and is a success in his job.
His daily routine is like everyone else's, and never even once did he view being differently-abled as being a deficiency or a burden.
Even more inspiring is the fact that last year, this young teacher from Kampung Gertak Kangkung, Mengkebang received the Kuala Krai District Active Junior Teachers Award for his active involvement in sports at school.
"I have never let being disabled be an obstacle to pursuing an activity or my dream to be a successful educator. By setting an example, I want to show other disabled people that it is possible to lead a normal life.
"Undoubtedly, I still remember the unkind words of a few people who thought that I am just worthy of being a beggar.
"At first I was sad, but then I took it as a challenge to prove them wrong which eventually led to me clinching the award as most outstanding student at for the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia examination in 2008," he said