Uber Encounters: Episode 1, A Ride with Daniel

Driving for Uber is like being on a reality show where every episode features a new cast of characters. People from all walks of life hop into your car, each with their own stories and destinations. It’s the best part of the job, second only to the money. One of the most fascinating individuals I’ve met so far was a man named Daniel, meeting him felt like I stumbled onto an episode of Extraordinary People.
The pick-up was at a typical apartment complex. I pulled into the lot and waited. A minute or two later, I spotted my passenger—a short, sharply dressed Asian man. As he walked toward my truck, it became clear that Daniel had no arms. Naturally, I rolled down my window and offered, “Hey, need a hand?” He smiled, shook his head no, and without hesitation, opened the truck door without any problems..
What happened next was a show of dexterity that had me questioning everything I knew about adaptability. He placed his bag on the seat, then slipped off his shoe. Yep, his shoe. Before I could fully process what was happening, he used his foot to reach for the door and pull it shut. Well, sort of. The first attempt didn’t quite cut it, and I braced myself to jump out and help. But no, Daniel wasn’t having it. Calmly and confidently, he reopened the door and slammed it shut with a force comparable to a arm.
I sat there for a moment, stunned and trying not to make my amazement too obvious. The man had just executed a maneuver most of us would need both hands for, and he did it with his feet—effortlessly.
As we drove, curiosity got the better of me. “So, Daniel,” I started cautiously, “ I am intrigued by you, what is your story?
He answered, “I was born this way,” he said matter-of-factly. “I’ve never known anything different. I just want everything life has to offer, so I make it work. Simple as that.”
I couldn’t help but admire the clarity in his answer. Here was a man who had every excuse to sit life out, but instead, he was in the game, playing hard. He even shared a story about the one time he felt truly handicapped. “It was when I broke my ankle,” he said, his tone turning slightly reflective. “For the first time, I couldn’t do the everyday tasks I’d always managed. I felt stuck, helpless. That was harder than not having arms.”
The way he told it, though, there was no bitterness, no self-pity. Just a shrug and a sense of humor about life’s curveballs. He moved on to talk about his job as a manager, a position he clearly loved. “I can do everything they can, just differently,” he said..
As we neared his destination, Daniel’s confidence was impossible to ignore. When we pulled up, he did something that left me equal parts amazed and humbled. He slipped off his shoe again, opened the door with his foot, and hopped out of the truck like it was just another day.
I sat there for a moment, watching him walk toward the building. I couldn’t help but think about how often we take the simplest things for granted—tying our shoes, opening a door, or even complaining about life’s minor inconveniences. Meanwhile, here’s Daniel, living his best life without arms, using his feet to do what most of us wouldn’t even attempt.
Daniel’s story isn’t just about overcoming obstacles; it’s about thriving in spite of them. It’s a reminder that life isn’t about what you’re given—it’s about what you do with it.
So the next time you’re tempted to complain about your Wi-Fi being too slow or your latte being too hot, think about Daniel, closing car doors with his feet. And if you’re wondering, yes, I did Lysol the door handle afterward. Hey, Daniel might be an inspiration, but a little sanitation never hurt anyone.