- A Feature on Meng Shaojie, the "Self-Improvement Star" of the Third Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Creativity Competition for the Disabled in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and an Outstanding Student of the OUC School for the Disabled

Meng Shaojie is a Social Work student enrolled in 2021 at the Special Education College of the Ulanqab Learning Centre in Inner Mongolia of the Open University of China (OUC). At 34, Meng, who has a second-level physical disability, suffered an accident in 2012 that injured his legs while he was working in Beijing. Rather than succumbing to despair or blaming fate, he opened a car wash in Fengzhen City in 2014 with encouragement from his friends and family. Despite his difficulty walking, he overcame the pain and worked tirelessly from dawn to dusk. His hard work made the car wash business increasingly successful.

As the number of customers grew, he realised the potential for expanding into broader automotive services, not only to increase his business scale but also to help more disabled people like himself. In 2016, he founded Yixin Automobile Maintenance Service Company. Given his own experiences, he employed mostly disabled individuals at his car wash and auto repair business. Seeing them work and live happily truly delighted Meng Shaojie, driving him to pursue his entrepreneurial activities with even greater passion.

During his entrepreneurial journey, he recognised his lack of formal education. Aware that to stand firm in the modern world, continuous learning and knowledge updating are essential, Meng enrolled at Fengzhen Open University in September 2021. Despite his disability, he maintained an enthusiastic and serious approach to his studies, earning multiple scholarships due to his eagerness to learn. His studies at the Open University enriched his theoretical knowledge and thinking. Meng Shaojie has said, "With the support and help of my teachers and classmates, I have established an upward life belief and solidified my life values and goals for the future."

In 2023, the Ulanqab Disabled Persons' Federation introduced Qingshan Disability-Assistance Human Resources Service Co., Ltd. in Fengzhen City to provide training and employment services for disabled individuals. When Meng Shaojie learned that the newly established company was struggling to find suitable office space, he proactively offered his own space free of charge. Through his and Qingshan's joint efforts, 133 disabled individuals found employment at Fengzhen Huaming New Materials Co., Ltd. over the year. Additionally, he actively addressed the life challenges faced by these employed disabled individuals, serving as their confidant and guide, ensuring they could work with peace of mind.

Meng Shaojie's deeds inspire many disabled individuals. His story tells us that no matter what difficulties we face, as long as we have dreams and are willing to work hard, we can create a bright future. Meng Shaojie believes that disability is not a barrier to success; rather, it can be a motivation to ignite one's fighting spirit.

By OUC News Network