Huang NaiHui was born in 1964 in Taipei, Taiwan as the eldest child to a well to do family. When he was a child, he suffered from very high fever. His grandmother being very superstitious, attempted to “cure” him by using the traditional methods of feeding him with incense ash (an ancient Chinese belief). This led him to suffer from cerebral spasm which he became partially paralyzed.
His parents afraid that he may bring bad luck to them decided to abandon him. His grandmother decided to take up the responsibility to bring him up.
It was at the age of 13 that he went to school to study. At first he was very slow at learning. Gradually he was able to pick up.
At the age of 22, he would study and work part time. He would sell lottery tickets and flowers during the day and attend classes at night. During his spare time he would attend Psychology and Chinese language classes at the University of Taiwan as an observer! The joy of learning overcomes his self pity.
He uses his knowledge very well in his business of selling flowers. He would go door to door selling flowers during the day. He would sell flowers at pubs and night clubs at night. At times, in order sell, he has to sing for his patrons even though he did it out of tune. He was often teased by people. A fact he learned to accept as a handicap. However he would pick himself up and face the next customer with a smile.
What hurt him most was whenever he sees a happy family together. Something he never enjoyed…the warmth of a family.
When Huang NaiHui was 24, his grandmother passed away. It was the darkest day of his life. She was the only person in his life even his younger siblings spurned him. But on that day he was overwhelmed with joy with the opportunity to see his again who have come to pay their last respect for his grandmother.
He was hoping to be re-united with his family. To his surprise, that was not meant to be. His father asked him to leave the ancestral home which was left behind by his grandmother. He was literally kicked out, left to cry and to sell flowers on the streets the whole night – and it was New Year’s Eve.
At that moment, he learnt one of the greatest lessons in his life. even if his family members could hurt him, one can only rely on himself.
Today, Huang NaiHui is a much sought after speaker, having spoken up to 1000 rounds of talk. He has become an inspiration not only for the handicap but also to normal people in hardship.
His book “Facing The Sun” and his story has created a reverberation in the Taiwanese society.
He now owns 3 flower shops and employs able-bodied people to work for him. He would spend his spare time doing charity work. A man who needs the society to help instead is helping many able-bodied people and the society in general.
From a person who could have been crawling on the floor like a dog and begging on the streets, through my sheer hard work, I have become a handicap miracle in Taiwan.
-Huang NaiHui
Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed on an equal or greater benefit.
-Napoleon Hill
*This is yet another inspiring story of an exemplar of the divine goodness within each of us. He could’ve given up, go home, sulk on a corner and pout about how miserable his life is but he did otherwise. Life pounded him like a wild monster gone berserk! But instead of staying down he kept on moving forward, he kept on fighting, he kept on pushing through no matter how painful or how difficult it is for him. He kept the fire burning because he is holding on to something… the hope that one day people like him will be loved and accepted by society & that is worth fighting for. How about you? Do have the fire within you?
