Blindness no hindrance to woman's massage therapy career in Hackettstown - The Expres

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Rania Ismail refuses to listen to naysayers.
Blind since birth, the Warren Hills Regional High School graduate was frequently discouraged from seeking her goal to become a massage therapist.
This year marks her third in the profession at Michael's Salon in Hackettstown.
"Some people didn't think that I could be a massage therapist due to my blindness," Ismail said.
In 1999 when she was 14 years old, Ismail suffered a neck injury that left her in chronic pain. She began receiving massage therapy after the injury, which was her only form of relief. Based on that experience, she decided this was what she wanted to do as her* career.
Ismail began the process of becoming a therapist by first completing an eight-month independent living program at Blind Industries and Services of Maryland that allowed her to live on her own. She then researched training programs and reports meeting resistance along the way.
Ismail said it was a challenge to find a school that could work with her needs as a blind student. People didn't believe she could handle the workload of school and career.
"People continued trying to convince me not to go back to school and work toward my goal," Ismail said. "Some people wanted me to gain work experience instead of encouraging me to go back to school to finish what I had worked so hard to achieve."
Beginning in September 2009, Ismail attended the Institute of Therapeutic Massage in Passaic County, graduating in July 2010. She began working at Michael's Salon about three months later and became a state certified massage therapist in 2011.
Ismail's accomplishments are not uncommon for those who suffer from blindness, according to Joe Ruffalo, president of National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey.

"Those who are blind are taught early on that we are no different than those who are able to see, our accomplishments just may take a little more planning and a couple extra steps," he said. "This mindset allows them to eliminate all negativity, and push forward through the resistance, just as Rania did."
It was at the salon where Ismail was able to finally put her studies to work, continue to perfect her skills and help her clients. Ismail also mentors blind students who are interested in becoming massage therapists.
"Rania is a great worker," said Jerry Merola, of Michael's Salon. "She has overcome so much with her disability and continues to do a great job."
Mary Ellen Ricks is Ismail's massage therapist and has known her for nine years. She marvels at her former client's drive.
"What I find most impressive is how no matter what obstacles are thrown her way, she is determined to overcome them and nothing will stop her," Ricks said.