GEORGE TOWN: Being blinded during a game did not stop Mohd Asri Abd Ghani, 43, from learning the art of reflexology and getting on with his life.The Baling native lost his eyesight at the age of 18 after sand was accidentally thrown at his face during a friendly sand-tossing game, but he is today the proud owner of a reflexology shop.
"Initially I was traumatised but I gradually accepted my fate and decided to learn the art of massaging," he said at his outlet in Jalan Sungai Ujong here.
He said he trained with a massage centre run by the blind in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur for more than a year before he worked at a reflexology centre. He soon opened his own shop.
The father of three children, aged between seven and 11, said: "There have been times when I was saddened that I could not do other jobs but I learnt to accept the reality.'
He attributed his success to his family who supported him all the way.
A regular customer, who only wanted to be known as Goh, 35, gave Mohd Asri's skill in relieving aches and pains a thumbs-up.
"He is so passionate about what he does. No matter how late a customer walks in, he gives them his best service," Goh said.
Mohd Asri also faces hearing problems due to damage to his ear drums.
He was diagnosed with the problem about 10 years ago and needs RM14,000 to fix his hearing.
"I am trying to save some money from what I earn so that I can fix my ear problem. I can only earn little at a time," added Mohd Asri.
