When I tell people both my parents are wheelchair users, they assume my childhood was difficult.
But the truth? It shaped who I am in the best way possible.
My siblings and I had to be self-reliant early on. We learned to problem-solve fast. If something was out of reach, we found a way. If a place wasn’t accessible, we figured out how to make it work.
This built two things in me: empathy and adaptability—which later became the foundation of my design career.
Each of us in my family found different ways to give back:
- My sister teaches leadership to young adults.
- My brother became a nurse.
- I found my way through design.
I didn’t know it at the time, but growing up in this environment made me think like a designer before I even knew what UX was.
Design is about problem-solving. And I had been doing that my whole life.
I first fell in love with design in secondary school while taking Design & Technology (D&T). I topped the class but had no clue it could be a real career. Then, I stumbled upon Industrial Design at an open house, took a leap, and enrolled at Nanyang Polytechnic.
That one decision set off a chain reaction.
- I earned a scholarship to the University of New South Wales in Sydney.
- I later became a lecturer to help others find their way.
- Today, I help UX designers land jobs they love.
Looking back, my career was never just about design. It was always about helping people overcome obstacles—just like I learned to do as a kid.
Why am I telling you this?
Because I know many of you feel stuck right now—unsure if UX is for you, doubting your value, wondering if your background makes you “good enough.”
But your life experiences? They matter.
The way you think, adapt, and solve problems is what makes you valuable—not just your portfolio or years of experience.
I didn’t take the “traditional” path into UX.
Neither do most of the designers I coach.
But they still land jobs they love—because they learn to tell their story in a way that hiring managers understand.
If you're struggling with this, let’s talk.
Reply and tell me: What’s one life experience that made you think like a designer?
Because trust me, you have one.
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