For years, the conversation ended the same way before it had really begun.
R. Yogeswaran would walk into an interview room, the interviewer would see he had no hands, and whatever followed was mostly procedure.
Nobody asked what he could actually do. The decision had already been made.
What the interview rooms never got to
Yogeswaran was born with a congenital upper limb deficiency. He could not complete his formal education, but his parents made sure he attended tuition classes so he could read, write and communicate effectively.
By every measure that should have mattered in a job interview, he was prepared. What he kept running into instead was a filter that operated before any of that came up, employers who looked at him and decided the conversation was already over.
The company that did not stop there
A chance encounter with the company’s CEO, Jeyenderan, at an event was all it took. A brief conversation led to an invitation to visit the office, and that visit eventually turned into a job offer.
As reported by FMT, Yogeswaran, now 34, works there as a receptionist, answering calls, welcoming visitors and managing inquiries.
“I can now support myself, help my family and live independently,” he said.
The same company employs S Kuhan, 26, who has physical disabilities affecting movement in his right hand and leg.
Kuhan works in operations, managing files and documents to keep records organised, and has said the support he receives at work has helped him grow both personally and professionally.
The decision that made the difference
Their employer, Jeyenderan, said persons with disabilities are equally capable of contributing when given the opportunity and proper support. Nothing about Yogeswaran or Kuhan was different in his office than it had been everywhere else. What was different was that someone chose to find out what they could do before deciding what they could not.
“When society opens more doors for persons with disabilities, it not only changes lives, it helps build a more inclusive world for all,” he said.
One of Yogeswaran’s proudest moments since starting the job was buying a double storey house in Setia Alam. Something he once never imagined reaching.
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https://inreallife.my/i-gave-up-my-family-to-pursue-my-dreams-shares-34-yo-msian-woman/
‘I gave up my family to pursue my dreams’ Shares 34 YO M’sian woman
