The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.128)

2020 • 11 16 eature Giant in a Wheelchair – Lee ThiamWah “Physical disabilities are nothing more than minor inconveniences. The only limitation you have is yourself.” – 99 Speedmart founder, Lee ThiamWah Translated by Jilly Bong Photograph courtesy of Lee Thiam Wah T hose living around Kuala Lumpur and Selangor should be familiar with 99 Speedmart, a neighbourhood mini-market chain found in numerous residential areas. Its dark green signboard with “99 Speedmart” printed in orange and the “99” shaped like a shopping cart, is noticeable from a distance. The founder of this chain store, which provides much convenience to our lives, is Lee Thiam Wah. Born in 1964, he was struck with polio at eight months old. His father was a construction worker and his mother, a hawker. His family members had to carry him to and from school until he completed primary school education. However, due to mobility and transport issues, Thiam Wah could not further his studies. In the 1970s, materials were scarce in Malaysia, and most people earned a living by doing manual work. In larger families, education was not a priority. Therefore, dropping out of school was common, not to