His wife had just given birth to the couple’s first child.

However, just three weeks later, a road accident changed his life and that of his loved ones forever.

“My friend, who was driving, was speeding. I was only a passenger but I ended up paralysed, while he walked away from it,” Zamri told FMT at the sidelines of the Disability Management Excellence Awards ceremony yesterday.

“Naturally, I was angry at first, but I forgave him. Holding grudges won’t change the past so what is the use of staying angry,” he said, adding their friendship has continued to this day.

After his accident, Zamrin left his job and took a year off to rest before starting his own business.

The 31-year old now runs a shop selling clothing and accessories in Darvel Bay Mall in Lahad Datu.

He said he decided to go into business rather than seek employment as a business would provide him with more flexibility.

“I try to spend as much time as I can with my wife and daughter. At the moment, my wife helps me out with the business, such as picking up goods from wholesalers,” he said, adding he was now working on modifying his car with driving aids so that he can drive it himself.

“To others who are disabled, do not give up. Keep trying and strive for success in whatever you do.

“I hope to open another shop next year and it won’t be the same kind of shop. I want to try my hands at a new kind of business,” he said, adding he was not afraid to learn and try something new.

At the awards ceremony, which was hosted by the Social Security Organisation (Socso), Zamrin received recognition for his performance in Socso’s Return to Work (RTW) programme by winning the gold award in the RTW Participant category.

The RTW programme is aimed at helping insured workers who have been struck by injuries or serious illnesses to return to work. The programme, which was started in 2007, has to date helped almost 15,000 people.