Those of us with a 9 to 5 job may moan about reporting to the office every day and feel demotivated at our workplaces. However, despite having to work harder than others to make a living, 27 year old Mohamad Zulkarnain Mustafa does not let his physical limitations stop him from repairing motorcycles as reported by NST.
With the help of his 13 year old younger brother Mohamad Hazarul Nizam, Zulkarnain fixes motorcycles while lying on his bed in his family home in Chenderong Balai, Teluk Intan, Perak. He was paralysed from the waist down after getting into an accident on the way home from work in 2015.
Zulkarnain, who was only 19 at the time, said that he had been working hard to ease his parents’ financial burden and that the accident had changed his life forever. As the eldest of five siblings, he was working at a stall selling fried chicken at a night market, and had also opened a small workshop as a side job to repair and fix motorcycles.
He said, "For about a year, I rested and focused on recovery. I then continued with my interest in repairing motorcycles with limited mobility.” He does this from his bed that is pushed to the front of the house as he is unable to sit in a wheelchair for more than two hours due to his condition.
"I am more comfortable working while lying down. If I were to sit in a wheelchair, it would be painful for me. I strive to be an excellent mechanic because it is something that I love, something that I am passionate about, apart from not wanting such skills that I have honed and developed to go to waste just like that."
Zulkarnain shares his knowledge with his helpful youngest brother Hazarul, who assists him in dismantling motorcycle parts that require fixing. Hazarul then helps him to reassemble the parts that have been repaired, and changes the tyres, chain, sprocket, and engine oil.
His brother also makes sure that the engine parts are cleaned of dirt, filth, grease, and grime before they are brought to his bed. The time taken to fix and repair a motorcycle depends on the work needed and the extent of the repairs. His customers understand his condition and are patient, despite the fact that he might take a longer time than others because of his physical limitations.
Zulkarnain expressed his appreciation for his brother, saying, “"My brother helps me a lot, and I am indebted to him, for he is like my hands and legs. For the (motorcycle) parts that are difficult to dismantle, I will try to move my body sideways, but my movement is minimal, and sometimes my hands are unable to reach (them), so this is where I usually get help.”
The young man harbours the hope of building a workshop next to his house with the support of his parents. He currently receives RM300 in monthly assistance from the Welfare Department.
"There are not that many motorcycles for me to fix and repair. There are about one or two motorcycles a month because we live far inside the village here, and no other motorcycle workshops are nearby. But I am grateful that there are friends and fellow villagers who will send their motorcycles over for me to service and repair, and this makes me very happy even though my income is not much," he said.
After his story caught the attention of the public, Zulkarnain has been flooded with well wishes from the public and offers of help. He said that he was not seeking sympathy, but wished to motivate others who also have disabilities like him. He went on to say that the donations and contributions would be put to good use, including to buy necessities.
Those who wish to engage his motorcycle repair services may call him at 013-8065391.
Image credit: Muhamad Lokman Khairi via Harian Metro