Everyone, whoever they are, wherever they come from, has the right and freedom to dream and achieve their dreams. Likewise with Xiao Jia, a blind woman from China who has succeeded in achieving her dream as a professional makeup artist (MUA).
The twists and turns of life made Xiao Jia even more determined to achieve her dreams. Thanks to his persistence, he managed to prove to everyone that being a blind person is not an obstacle. From being just a therapist, now Xiao Jia has successfully become a professional MUA. In fact, she has taught thousands of other blind women to apply makeup using the sense of touch.
Wow, really cool huh? What is the story of Xiao Jia's life journey in achieving a dream to become an MUA? Curious? Launching from the South China Morning Post, this is the inspiring story of a blind MUA from China, Xiao Jia in achieving her dream of becoming an MUA.
Loss of Sense of Seeing at the Age of 14
At that time, Xiao Jia was 14 years old and she was diagnosed with congenital retinal dystrophy which gradually led to vision loss. As her eyesight begins to fade, Xiao Jia learns how to apply makeup using her sense of touch.
Through his lips, he could feel the direction of the false eyelashes. Meanwhile, the touch of his fingers, he uses to understand skin texture and facial features so that he knows where to apply certain cosmetics and how much is needed.
Sent to a Disability School to Learn to Become a Therapist
After nine years of studying at Jiangzi, East China, a local school in her hometown, Xiao Jia was sent to a disability school to study as a therapist. Most of the students there are male and Xiao Jia is lucky to be able to go to school because only a few blind women in China have the opportunity to go to school.
"There are only a small number of girls besides me in my class who were sent from the orphanage because they were abandoned by their parents after birth," said Xiao Jia.
"People tend to think that a woman who is blind doesn't need to go to school, her mission is just to grow up and get married one day," he continued.
Had Experienced Sexual Harassment
After graduating, Xiao Jia became a therapist at her hometown massage parlor. She can earn 2,000 yuan or the equivalent of 4 million rupiah per month due to the scarcity of female workers there.
However, the job did not make Xiao Jia last long. He decided to get out of there because he often experienced sexual harassment from clients. Sexual harassment is a serious case for female therapists in China.
"Female therapists seem to have the upper hand in this industry when it comes to pay. However, behind that lies another form of inequality as female workers face a very high risk of sexual harassment," explains Xiao Jia.
Successfully Become a Professional MUA
At the age of 20, Xiao Jia decided to go abroad in order to achieve her dream and get better job opportunities. But before leaving, his family was against it because he was worried about Xiao Jia.
"'How will a girl like me survive if she has to go abroad?', they asked. However, if a blind man wants to go abroad, they will get the blessing of his family," said Xiao Jia.
Despite the family's opposition, Xiao Jia still decided to go to Beijing with the help of a friend who is also blind, whose friend had become her husband. Xiao Jia works as a stenographer (a person who knows shorthand; someone who can write fast with shorthand) in Beijing.
Then, she joined an NGO before learning make-up techniques that could be taught to others in 2015. She started her own make-up course for other blind women the following year. Now, Xiao Jia has succeeded in becoming a professional MUA and has even taught thousands of other blind women to apply makeup with the sense of touch through online and face-to-face courses.
Well, that was the inspirational story of a blind MUA from China who managed to achieve his dream. Hope it inspires you!