Mrs. Ngo Thi Tho, 35 years old, hails from Ninh Giang District, Hai Duong Province, and currently resides and works in Hai Duong. Her life is unlike that of many others, as she has faced visual impairment since childhood. Her right eye is completely blind, and her left eye can only see faintly. The cause traces back to her childhood when, at the age of five, she contracted measles, which affected her vision and left her with lifelong consequences. In her family, she is the only one with visual impairment. Remarkably, her husband, from her husband’s side of the family, is also visually impaired, which allows them to understand and share life’s challenges with each other.
Despite her visual impairment, Mrs. Tho has never let it hinder her life. She completed grade 5 and began working in the massage sector at a very young age. To date, she has accumulated 14 years of experience in the profession, working at three different establishments. On average, she works 7 to 8 hours daily. Her work is demanding, but she firmly believes that only through effort can one overcome all challenges. At the massage parlor run by the Hai Duong Province Blind Association where she is working, she earns 60,000 VND per hour. The extra income from Tip is about 200,000–300,000 VND per month on average.
Mrs. Tho’s parlor has been kind enough to provide her with accommodation. She has to cover her own food expenses, so she always carefully plans her spending to ensure a stable life. Her massage work is not always smooth, but she has never faced inappropriate requests from clients. The parlor has policies allowing masseurs to refuse unsuitable requests, which gives her peace of mind in her work.
Over the years, Ms. Tho has also offered home massage services for clients in need. She shares that if elderly clients, stroke survivors, or those unable to travel require her services, she is willing to visit their homes. To her, massage is not just a livelihood but also a way to contribute and help others. Every time she serves a client, she strives to give her best, providing them with the utmost comfort and relaxation.
