A masseuse who lost her vision
In the face of overwhelming challenges, finding perseverance and the courage to overcome them can be difficult. But there is a strength that’s found in each one of us. Kiew Oi Yong, a Malaysian blind masseuse in KL, is proof of this.
As we’re celebrating Merdeka Day, we’re taking a look at Malaysians who are inspiring others with their fortitude and Malaysia boleh spirit.
Here is Kiew’s story.
Seeing the world, then losing sight of it
Kiew Oi Yong’s life was once filled with vibrant colours and details of the world.
Born and raised in a Hakka family in a quiet village in Kluang, Johor Bahru, the 56-year-old is the sixth of seven children. Her early years were marked by joy and laughter, a stark contrast to the challenges she would face later in life.
“Born with cataracts, my eyesight issues began even before I entered the world”, Kiew shared with us.
Despite multiple surgeries to help with her vision in her 20s, including one to address a detached retina, her sight gradually deteriorated. She was always hopeful that each operation might help restore her sight. The thought of completely losing her vision filled her with panic and fear.
Friends and family advised her to prepare for the possibility of blindness, which only intensified her anxiety. Yet, deep down, Kiew knew she had to brace herself for what was to come.
“By the time I was 28, I had lost my vision entirely”, she recalled.
During this time, she knew she had to remain strong and look ahead even though she was deeply saddened and would cry herself to sleep, unnoticed by others. She allowed herself a few months to grieve and come to terms with her emotions.
Determined to move forward, she resolved to regain her strength and not be overwhelmed by her situation with a motto: “I encouraged myself by saying, ‘I need to get back up’”.
A new beginning in darkness
The sudden shift to complete blindness was terrifying for Kiew, especially since she was still working at a factory.
Her daily routine involved waking up before dawn to catch the early bus to work. Navigating the bustling streets of JB and crossing roads was a daunting challenge. “I would follow the edge of the road, often close to oncoming traffic. Once, I nearly walked into a parked lorry”, she recalled. “Thankfully, no harm came to me and people were generally kind and understanding, helping me”.
Before, she was accustomed to moving quickly and constantly staying on the go as well – “I can barely sit still for five minutes. But with my new reality, every step had to be deliberate and measured”. It took Kiew about four years to adjust to her new way of life.
Even after completely losing her vision, which meant that she could no longer write legibly or walk quickly like she used to, she discovered new sources of joy and vitality.
This included her membership in the Society of the Blind, which helped her embrace her newfound life through numerous activities. Yoga and stretching therapy sessions have been particularly beneficial for her – “I find joy in stretching and a sense of normalcy. These activities invigorate me and also uplift my spirits”.
On Wednesday mornings, she gears up for spin class at Peak Fitness SOGO. She’s accompanied by her fellow friends with visual impairment – together, they swagger their way in the spin room. Guided by an instructor, they dive into an hour of cycling, grooving to a playlist that tempts even the most two-left-footed to bust a move. Amidst the energy, Kiew is fully engaged, singing along.
From challenges to triumphs
In 1996, Kiew began her journey as a blind masseuse. But the road wasn’t an easy one. She faced significant obstacles, including societal prejudices and reluctance from her family. Applying for the job through the blind association was a struggle at first too.
“My parents, who had little formal education and are old-school, were skeptical about massage as a career, believing it wasn’t a proper profession”, shared Kiew. It wasn’t until she assured them that she would work exclusively with female clients that they finally gave their blessing for her to pursue massage training. But with the high demand for jobs among the blind, the competition for massage positions was fierce.
“Facing limited options, I initially turned to selling snacks such as asam boi, taking long bus journeys from Jalan Raja Laut to areas like KL, Kajang, and Seremban to sell them”, Kiew shared. “But as my blindness progressed, moving around became increasingly challenging”.
Determined to find a more stable path, Kiew began learning massage techniques from friends. By 2007, Kiew obtained her massage certification from Penang’s St. Nicholas School for the Blind. She then returned to KL to put her skills to use.
Fifteen years and counting, Kiew has been working at PB Massage Centre in Brickfields.
Reflecting on her past, her journey to becoming a certified blind masseuse was marked by countless hurdles and hard-won victories. She recalls a time when life’s challenges could have broken her spirit. “I remember how my relatives looked down on me”, she shared. Being blind, she was seen by some of her relatives as “bad luck”, with some even urging her parents to disown her.
But with unwavering love and support from her parents and grandfather, Kiew not only survived but now thrives. True to her name, which means ‘love flower’, she is not only touching the lives of many with her inspiring journey but also with skilled hands.
As a blind masseuse, Kiew has to navigate life without the benefit of visual cues. Though she cannot see, she has a heightened sense of touch, which helps knead knots away with a sensitivity that sight alone may not provide.
Embracing the spirit of Merdeka
When asked what matters most during hard times, Kiew emphasises the importance of having a good support system. “Having a good friend that you can trust and share with confidence, is important”, she advised. For her, a true friend isn’t just someone who offers lip service but one who shows up when it matters most. Equally important, she insists, is learning to help yourself – “It’s important to try to solve your problems and do something that makes you feel happy”.
Whether it’s singing or dancing, Kiew believes in the power of self-encouragement. “Doing the things you love might not solve everything 100%, but it will make you feel better”, added Kiew, who turned to activities she loved when she was on the brink of giving up. The blind masseuse highlights that everyone’s body and mind work differently, but affirms that self-confidence is key – “You must encourage yourself and believe that you can do it, no matter what”.
Nearing the end of the conversation, we asked what Merdeka means to her. She told us, “For me, Merdeka is the power of Malaysia Boleh – if our country can, then so can we as its people”.
As we celebrate Merdeka this August, we can take a leaf out of Kiew Oi Yong’s book and remember that when there’s a problem, just as we proudly say, “Malaysia Boleh, remember to say “Saya pun boleh”.
If you would like to support Kiew, you can find her at the massage centre she works at the address below. The prices at the centre are a bargain compared to the typical massage spots, with an hour-long session priced at just RM58. The space is clean, safe, and private too.
Address: 4A, Jalan Thambipillay, Brickfields, 50470, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 10am-6pm, Daily
Contact: 012-637 2804
For more Malaysian stores, read about this RM2 mixed rice in KL and the history of this 100-year-old bar in Melaka.
Photography by Yusintha.
Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Some quotes have been edited for brevity and clarity.