How (right) trained her son step by step so he could confidently manage the cashier counter. Photos: The Star/Azlina Abdullah

Cashier and grocery store assistant Lim Wei Kang, 25, has been especially busy as Hari Raya Aidilfitri draws near. Customers stream continuously into the shop at Taman Sri Putra, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, picking up festive essentials for Ramadan and the upcoming celebration.

At the checkout counter, customers line up patiently as Lim carefully handles each transaction.He counts the notes one by one, double checks the amount and verifies quick response (QR) code payments before completing the sale.Methodical and focused, he ensures every detail is correct.

One of Lim’s tasks at the shop is helping to count and organise stock.

"I can count money very well," says Lim. "I like my job. I get to meet different people at the store."

Many customers are aware that Lim has Down Syndrome (DS). Rather than seeing it as a limitation, they offer quiet encouragement – waiting patiently and smiling reassuringly – giving him the confidence to complete each transaction independently.

He's likely among the few young adults with DS in Sungai Buloh – perhaps even in the Klang Valley – who can confidently manage a cashier counter. His mother, Theresa How, 60, owns the grocery store.Customer Siti Khaleeda Kassim, 28, says Lim is the first person with DS she has seen working as a cashier and store assistant.

World Down Syndrome Day honours and celebrates people born with an extra chromosome.

"He might be a bit slower than other cashiers, but that's okay – I understand he has a disability. I've also seen him arranging items on the shelves and helping customers carry gas tanks to their cars. He is really good," says the homemaker, who lives within walking distance from the store.

Her support is a simple yet powerful gesture of inclusion, particularly meaningful as the world observes World Down Syndrome Day on March 21.

The day celebrates the lives of people with DS, raises awareness and advocates for inclusion, equality and opportunity.

Lim's story shows that with proper training and encouragement, people with DS can thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.

This year's theme, Together Against Loneliness, calls for greater inclusion – creating spaces where people with disabilities are not only present, but truly valued, respected and made to feel that they belong in a society.

Guided to independenceHow is extremely proud of her son's progress. Lim has been helping at the store since it opened in 2016.

"I want him to be independent, so I let him do whatever he is capable of," she says.

"At the store, he carries goods, arranges items and handles the cash register. It's not easy to cheat him – he knows his stuff. He checks expiry dates, and when salesmen come to the shop, he knows exactly which supplier to return unsold items to. He also checks stock balances."

With proper training and support, people with Down syndrome can develop the confidence, independence and skills needed to work.

Lim completed his secondary studies (Form Five) under the special education programme at SK Bukit Aman Putra, Sungai Buloh.

Knowing that he has completed his secondary education gave How the confidence her son could handle the cash register responsibly.

"He's always been good at Mathematics, even from a young age. When I taught him to give change, I showed him how to break it down – if the balance is RM33, take RM20, RM10 and RM3. I taught him step by step, and he picked it up quickly," says How, adding her son took about a month to learn to use the cash register and understand how to check stock balances.

Employment, How adds, has played a key role in developing her son's confidence and interpersonal skills.

Lim confidently handles his duties at his family's grocery store.

"He works from 10am to 8pm on weekdays. He's friendly and not shy with customers."

A 2022 study, "Employment Opportunities and Benefits for People with Down Syndrome in Malaysia: A Qualitative Research", published in the Scandinavian Journal Of Disability Research, found that for people with DS, jobs can contribute to personal growth, improved self-image and independence.

In 2024, Malaysia recorded 805,509 registered persons with disabilities (PWD), representing 2.4% of the national population. Learning disabilities accounted for the highest number of registrations, with 299,128 persons or 37.1%, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Occasionally, How shares glimpses of Lim at work on TikTok, posting clips of him handling the cash register and arranging goods at the store. The videos have drawn praises from more than 12,000 followers and garnered nearly a quarter of a million likes.

Lim has become a familiar and friendly face to customers in the neighbourhood grocery store.

"I want people to know that children with DS can work," says How. "It's always nice to receive positive comments from netizens."

The mother of five sons adds that her fourth son has many interests beyond the store.

"He likes to draw, he enjoys learning new languages and he’s even curious about cryptocurrency."

Strength and support

While Lim's story is inspiring, How says his progress did not happen overnight. It took years of patience and guidance from her, her husband, businessman, K.S. Lim, 62, and their other children.

The key, How says, is never giving up. "If we don't help them, who will? We cannot give up on these kids."

Lim (left) is grateful to have his family members as his biggest supporters. Photo: Theresa How

She admits that, like many parents of children with special needs, accepting her son's DS diagnosis took time.

"When he was born, I wondered why I gave birth to a child like this. For over a month, I couldn't accept it and I almost fell into depression. But with my family's support, I slowly came to terms with it. I realised that if I couldn't accept my own son, how could I expect others to?" she recalls.

To raise him, she has treated him like her other children, never mollycoddling him because of his disability.

"I trained him to do housework just like my other boys. He can run the washing machine, fold clothes and even make a drink for himself. I haven't taught him to cook yet, but I'm sure he can do it," she says confidently.

How (right) is proud of Lim and delighted to see her son growing more independent.

Her advice to parents of children with DS is simple: accept your child and foster independence.

"Don't be overprotective or do everything for them – if you do, others won't see them as capable," she says.

Her hope is that, one day, Lim will be able to take over the store and run it successfully.

"For any parent of a child with special needs, the hope is that they will be able to live independently when we are no longer around. I'm glad I've been able to gradually train my son. I hope my other sons will step in to support him when needed," she says.

Let's count cash