Ms. Tinh was born and raised in the mountainous area of Lang Son Province. At just eight months old, she contracted measles, and its severe impact stole her eyesight, leaving her completely blind. This unfortunate circumstance prevented her from attending school. Darkness enveloped her from a young age, but it never extinguished the extraordinary will and resilience within her.
Growing up, since she couldn’t go to school, her daily routine involved the arduous work of helping her parents dry cassava on the hills and cultivate barren land. However, a turning point arrived in 2005 when she was 23. Ms. Tinh was among a group of visually impaired individuals in her local area recommended by the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Lang Son province to study literacy in Hanoi, followed by a massage therapy course. This was her first time experiencing many new things, leaving her hometown with immense hope and a strong desire for independence and self-reliance. This opportunity truly opened up a brighter future for her.
After completing her course, Ms. Tinh decided to pursue a career in massage therapy to earn a living with her own hands. Initially, she worked in her hometown. Later, driven by a desire for new experiences, she embarked on a journey with friends to various provinces and cities across Vietnam, from Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, to Nha Trang, then Hai Phong, and now back to Hanoi. She spent several months in each place, exploring and learning new things. Every place she visited left her with valuable experiences and lessons, shaping her into the Ms. Tinh she is today. Despite her visual impairment, she never let her circumstances limit her life; instead, she proactively chose her own path.
In 2022, Ms. Tinh knew about Omamori Spa through Facebook and had the opportunity to work there. Although she had prior experience in the profession, stepping into a new environment naturally brought challenges and unfamiliarity. She shared that there were times she felt discouraged and considered giving up. However, thanks to the dedicated encouragement and guidance from her colleagues, she gradually overcame obstacles and has remained with Omamori until now. Since joining Omamori, she’s been very happy to work in a truly professional environment, free from the issues of intoxicated clients she sometimes encountered in her previous massage work. She feels her working environment has significantly improved, and she’s very pleased about it. Ms. Tinh wrote to the teacher who accepted and trained her two years ago: “I want to thank you and everyone. Before joining Omamori, I researched it very carefully. In the beginning, I felt quite disheartened, and external factors made it even worse. Only now do I truly realize the many benefits Omamori brings to visually impaired people. About 3 or 4 months ago, I kept asking you to let me quit, but you kept encouraging me to stay, not letting me give up. During my training, I’m also very grateful to you, Mr. Manh, and Ms. Nhung for enthusiastically teaching me and helping me overcome the most difficult lessons. I can’t express enough how much I appreciate you all. If there’s anything I’ve done wrong since joining, please forgive me. Once again, I also want to thank all my colleagues for their enthusiastic guidance.”
Ms. Tinh embarked on her learning and career transition at an age when she was no longer young. Furthermore, being completely blind and having no formal education from childhood made learning incredibly challenging. However, it’s clear that with her thirst for knowledge and courage to step out of her comfort zone to explore new things, Ms. Tinh’s life has turned a new page. She is truly an example for young people to follow. Today, Ms. Tinh is not only a highly skilled massage therapist but also a shining example of resilience, inspiring countless people around her. Though she cannot see light with her eyes, her life is radiating brightly in its own way – a light of faith in life and an unyielding desire to strive forward.
