How this Malaysian man with phocomelia stood up against a bully in high school

As a motivational speaker, Ong Boo Siong has conducted over 3,000 talks nationwide since 2009, inspiring students, parents and corporate figures.

A talented guitarist, he is also working on a poetry book set for release early next year.

The bachelor’s degree in social science (humanities and sociology) holder from Universiti Sains Malaysia is currently pursuing a masters in psychology at a private university in Kuala Lumpur.

Ong Boo Siong , a motivational speaker with phocomelia, inspires Malaysians with his journey of resilience. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee HongBorn with phocomelia 50 years ago, which affected his right hand, the Kelantanese does not let his condition stop him from pursuing a wide range of interests or his dreams.

“OKU stands for ‘orang kuat usaha’ (a hardworking person), not ‘orang kurang upaya’,” asserts Ong during a Zoom chat from his home in Kota Baru.

“From young, my father always told me to believe in myself and be grateful for what I have. That’s the key to living a happy and fulfilling life.”

Phocomelia, a rare congenital condition, causes underdeveloped or absent limbs. He believes his disability was caused by medication his mother took during pregnancy.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) falls on Dec 3 annually to promote awareness, understanding and support for the rights, dignity and well-being of people with disabilities.

Ong, who received the Unsung Hero award from former deputy law minister Mohamed Hanipa Maidin in 2019, hopes that special days like IDPD can increase understanding of disability issues and encourage efforts to create an inclusive and accessible world for everyone.

Ong encourages students to overcome challenges and embrace their uniqueness.

“There is still a lack of awareness about disability issues in Malaysia. Many people don’t fully understand the challenges faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs). I hope that with more education and open conversations, we can create a society that is more understanding, supportive and inclusive of their needs,” shares the father of five children between six and 17 years old.

Growing pains

The youngest of five siblings, Ong is one of many individuals with disabilities who refuse to let physical or cognitive differences define their worth.

People like Ong and motivational speaker Nick Vujicic – who was born without arms and legs due to a rare congenital disorder called tetra-amelia syndrome – embody resilience and courage.

“In life, you have to make a choice. Do you want to complain and blame others, or do you want to be thankful? I have learned to be thankful for what I have. I focus on the positives, and make the most of each day.”

Ong’s wife (second from left) and his children are his biggest supporters.

On the surface, Ong appears as a friendly person content with life. However, there was a time when he struggled to come to terms with his disability.

“As a child, I often cried, struggling to understand why I was born with phocomelia. Things became even harder in secondary school when some of my classmates bullied and mocked me for my condition. One day, I had enough and stood up for myself. I kicked a classmate who teased me for being an OKU.

“From that moment, the bullying stopped, and I gained a newfound confidence. I went on to represent my school in the 100m race and excelled in sports like ping pong and badminton.

“I have learned that if you want others to accept you, you must first accept yourself.

“Everyone – disabled or not – has a body, mind and soul. Even without hands or legs, your mind and knowledge can take you far,” said the former student of SMJK Chung Hwa in Kota Baru.

Ong’s wife, Ang Yan Lee, is his pillar of support.

His late father, Ong Swee Leong, was his pillar of strength, instilling in him the determination to overcome his disability.

“My family was poor, where my dad earned about RM2,000 each month as a car painter. My father used to say: ‘Papa has no money to send you to university. You need to stand on your own two feet. Study hard and earn your own money.’ So, at 16, I decided to become a tutor, teaching Bahasa Malaysia.

“During Form Six, I worked as as a part-time librarian and tutor. With my little earnings, I could pay for my diploma in information technology from Institut Teknologi Tun Abdul Razak in KB. Later on, I worked as a computer teacher at Chung Hwa Independent High School in KB, while working as a part-time computer salesman.”

Lending a helping hand

In his early 20s, he began to develop a passion for helping other people with special needs.

Ong does not let his disability stop him from pursuing his interests.“My perception of life changed after reading the book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. It taught me how to find my footing, and help others find the meaning of life. The book Think and Grow Rich (Napeleon Hill) inspired me to set clear goals, develop self-discipline and cultivate a positive mental attitude.

“That gave me joy to help others in need. Along the way, I gave motivational talks at charity homes and schools. I liked the idea of inspiring people to lead better lives,” said Ong, who served as a volunteer teacher at a few homes for PWDs including Yayasan Orang Kurang Upaya Kelantan in Kota Baru, Beautiful Gate in Petaling Jaya, Selangor and Dual Blessing in Kuala Lumpur.

Eventually, he decided to quit his teaching job and pursue motivational speaking on a full-time basis.

Ong encourages students to overcome challenges and embrace their uniqueness.

“At first, I was hesitant to leave my teaching job because my biggest concern was if I could earn enough as a motivator to take care of my family. I gave myself three months to try it out.

“Thankfully, I began receiving invitations to speak at schools, and eventually, corporations reached out to me to share my life story and journey. So far, I have given over 3,000 talks and I have a few corporate talks scheduled in the next few weeks,” says Ong, who is grateful for his wife’s support.

“In my school talks, I emphasise the importance of manners, respect and empathy. I teach students to honour their elders, be kind to people with disabilities, and treat everyone with dignity. Above all, I encourage kids to be polite and appreciate the uniqueness of others.”

Despite his disability, Ong has mastered daily tasks.

Besides motivational speeches, Ong also supports charity events for persons with disabilities. In July, he flew from Kota Baru to be part of Unveiling Uniqueness, Malaysia’s first concert highlighting the talents of people with disabilities, in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

“I try to do whatever I can to support and uplift persons with disabilities, whether it’s through motivational talks or charity events. Its important to remember that even the smallest efforts can make a world of difference for the disabled community. Buying their goods or supporting an event may seem like a small act, but to them, it means everything,” says Ong, who shares photos of his motivational speeches on his Facebook.

Poetry in motion

Ong is currently working on a Bahasa Malaysia book of self-motivational poems, designed for primary and secondary school students. The collection, featuring 366 poems – one for each day of the year (including the leap year) – aims to inspire readers with themes of perseverance, unity and self-reflection.

The motivational speaker is working on his upcoming book, a collection of 366 motivational poems to inspire young minds.

Ong is in discussion with a few publishing companies about releasing the book. Plans are also underway to transform some of the poems into songs and audio readings for the visually impaired.

“Poetry is a powerful medium. It inspires, challenges thinking and fosters unity. Through these poems, I hope to encourage young minds to reflect on values like empathy and respect, while promoting racial harmony and personal growth.

“By embracing our differences with kindness, we can build a stronger, more united community,” shares Ong.