Full Name: Zulkifflee Bin Hussin
Country: Malaysia
Batch No.: Phase 2, Batch 22
Date Trained: 9 – 11 April 2016
Disability: Paralysed waist down (wheelchair user)
Business: Food Stall and Raft House
Average Monthly Income Before: RM 2,000
Average Monthly Income After: RM 8,000
A noble effort twisted the fate of Zulkifflee, a sole breadwinner in his family, when he suffered injury to his spine causing permanent disability. His intentions of helping his community clean up an old prayer building changed the course of his life when he took a fall from the top of the building. He accidentally stepped on a damaged plank which cracked, causing him to fall on his back. He regained consciousness four days later and found himself bed ridden in the hospital. As if losing movement on both his legs weren’t a bad enough, he was informed by the doctor that he needed to pay an extensive amount of money for his surgery in order to live. Being a small time food vendor who was earning just enough to cover his day-to-day expenses, this mishap was a big blow. With limited options available, he was forced to plead for financial aid from his friends and family. After being denied help from many, he managed painstakingly, to gather the sum required for the surgery.
Being clueless about what he should do, he signed up to join the Maybank R.I.S.E Programme when he heard about it, hoping for a turnaround. Attending the programme inspired him with plenty of business ideas. Discussions that he had with the trainers and mentors, enthused him to implement the ideas that he got from the programme into his business. From there, his income went up and he was able to see a new direction not only for his business but his life too! In a very short period of time, he started to see the fruit from the programme. He started a raft house business and saw good income coming in. He expanded his business by focusing on customer requirements and fulfilling customer satisfaction to the highest levels as learnt through the R.I.S.E programme. Now that he was earning enough to provide his family a much more comfortable life, he felt could finally be able to resume his role as the head of the family again, and he felt a strong sense of dignity. With the money that he was earning, he was able provide a comfortable home for his family by upgrading their home and renovating it. He felt nothing less than proud of what he has accomplished. Now on the path to becoming a successful businessman, Zul has never forgotten his past when he was facing a tough time. Hence, he made it his mission to provide a better life for the disabled community. Based on his personal experience, he was able to touch the lives of many disabled people.
Zul began to give motivational counselling to the disabled community, especially to those who recently became disabled by counseling them and motivating them to start business or turn their life around. He is now the key person that even doctors contact to meet people who recently became disabled who had been admitted due to accidents especially when they are depressed about their recent condition.
Knowing the hardship that one has to go through after finding out that they are no longer who they used to be, he uses a very gentle and warm approach when talking to them. By doing so, he builds a personal relationship with them quickly and Zul has become a fantastic motivator, helping many PWDs regain hope of a better future. Zul is now a shining star in the disabled community thanks to the knowledge gained from the R.I.S.E training. He continues to share that knowledge with others by encouraging and inspiring them to start their own business and to not rely on welfare support. What’s more inspiring is that he rose against the odds to become a role model to those who suffered the same fate as him. Zul simply sees the experience as a part of the journey to achieving his mission and fulfilling his calling to impact and support others who faces the same misfortune. He believes that no one is ever alone as long as they reach out for help. There are always people surrounding you that are more than willing to help and care for you. As he says, “If they can do it, so can we”.