Almost 20 years ago, a car accident changed Mohd Feroz Hamdan’s life forever. Today, his story shows how courage, humour, and support from loved ones can transform even the toughest challenges into a meaningful journey.
An inspirational journey of perserverance
EVERY life has turning points, but some arrive in ways we never expect. For Mohd Feroz Hamdan, that moment came on a scorching afternoon in August 2007.
One ordinary journey home from work left an indelible mark – and transformed the way he viewed the world, his body, and his place in it.
At around 11:30 am on Jalan Matang, a car attempting to overtake another vehicle collided head-on with him. The impact was sudden, violent, and life-altering. In an instant, Feroz’s right leg was gone, and the life he had always taken for granted crumbled around him.
“The first thought that ran through my mind was gratitude – I was alive. But at the same time, it was hard to imagine how life could continue after losing a leg,” he recalled, his voice steady but reflective.
The aftermath was overwhelming. Even the simplest tasks became huge challenges. Climbing stairs, walking short distances, performing household chores – every movement demanded effort, focus, and courage.
“The biggest struggle right after the surgery was just trying to live my life. My mobility was extremely limited, and even daily activities could cause cramps or pain,” Feroz explained.
Even now, 18 years later, the memory of that day stays with him. The accident changed his life forever, but it also shaped the person he is today – resilient, determined, and grateful for every small victory.
Learning to stand again
The road to regaining independence was long and demanding.
Help eventually came through the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO), which offers a prosthetic leg scheme as part of its free physical rehabilitation benefits for contributors who suffer permanent disablement due to workplace injuries or certain illnesses.
“It took almost a year before I could receive a prosthetic leg. My residual limb had to heal fully and be stable. The hardest part wasn’t just the wait, but learning to walk again. Every step demanded patience, repetition, and determination,” he recalled.
This period tested not only his physical endurance but also his spirit. Family and friends became his lifeline. Their encouragement, practical help, and unwavering presence carried him through each challenge.
Every stumble, every setback, and every tiny victory was shared with them. Without that support, he admits, he might have given up.
“Their belief in me became my quiet strength. It reminded me that I was not alone, even when everything around me felt uncertain,” he said.
Finding strength and identity
Beyond physical recovery, Feroz began to see himself in a new light. The accident reshaped his understanding of identity, roles, and resilience.
At the time, he was not yet married, but the loss of his leg forced him to confront what it meant to be a man, a son, and eventually a husband and father.
It was more than a physical change – it challenged his sense of independence, self-worth, and purpose, pushing him to reflect on the life he wanted to build for himself and those he would one day care for.
“It gave me the motivation to show – to myself and to others – that I could still be independent and achieve things, even with a limitation. I began to appreciate life in ways I hadn’t before. I valued the people around me, and I valued what I could still contribute,” he reflected.
Humour also became a vital tool in navigating his new life. Once, he woke up to find his prosthetic leg hidden by his own child. Though startled at first, he couldn’t help but laugh – a memory that still brings a grin to his face.
Even with laughter, some days remain difficult. Soreness, swelling, and fatigue are constant reminders of the work involved in adapting to a prosthetic. Yet Feroz draws strength from thinking of his family and children.
“Remembering them gives me courage to keep going, even on the hardest days,” he emphasised.
His journey has also highlighted societal misconceptions about people with prosthetic limbs. Many assume such individuals are fragile, robotic, or chronically ill.
“People often misunderstand. Some think I’m like a robot or that I have diabetes. The truth is, with patience and discipline, we are capable of far more than most people realise,” he explained.
Life, laughter and new paths
Today, this 39-year-old Kuching-born man faces challenges with determination and optimism.
The support of family and friends continues to be a steady foundation, giving him confidence to tackle each day. Their encouragement doesn’t just comfort him – it fuels his perseverance, reminding him that obstacles can be overcome, and that life can still be meaningful.
The accident also opened unexpected doors. Feroz is now a para-bowling athlete representing Sarawak. Yet he stresses that sport, while meaningful, is not the defining part of his story.
“Sport became part of my life after I became disabled, but it’s my daily experiences, the challenges I’ve faced, and the support of my family that have truly shaped who I am today,” he said.
Life after the accident is about much more than learning to walk again. It is about resilience, gratitude, and the ability to embrace change with determination and humour.
From the dark moment of losing his leg to creating a life filled with challenges, learning, and small triumphs, Feroz’s journey reminds us that setbacks can become the start of something meaningful.
On this International Day of People with Disabilities, his story embodies the courage, patience, and quiet heroism the day celebrates: ordinary people who rise, adapt, and keep moving forward despite adversity.
“Life doesn’t stop when you lose a limb. It’s about finding new ways to move forward, both literally and figuratively. With patience, support, and a little humour, anything is possible,” Feroz said.
His story encourages all of us to look beyond limitations, celebrate perseverance, and recognise the extraordinary potential within people living with disabilities. Setbacks are not the end, but an opportunity to discover resilience, purpose, and a life that can still be rich, meaningful, and full of laughter.
