Never had an issue using the trackpad of my MacBook with my thumb without leaving the keyboard. That of course only works with a great trackpad which click everywhere on the surface which is the case with ForceTouch trackpads
I had to force me to use it for a few weeks until it clicked on me. It's a pressure sensitive device, not a joystick. You have to get used to put the right amount of pressure for the speed you want to move the pointer.
The TouchPad is the area below the palm rest? It requires users to interrupt the workflow. Probably some sort of design element or fidget? Never used.