A Quiet Corner in Bedok, Suddenly not so Quiet
A short Instagram video by user @aimrunnn has drawn attention to a visually impaired masseur working quietly under a Bedok HDB block.
Posted four days ago, the video has since garnered over 26,000 likes, with viewers encouraged to visit and support Mr Ismail, who runs a modest massage setup beneath a staircase at Bedok North Street 3.
Imran, who goes by @aimrunnn on Instagram, opens the video by explaining why he showed up.
“My friend told me there’s a visually impaired masseur here, so I had to come by and see for myself.”
What follows is a simple but telling interaction — friends lining up for hand massages, payments exchanged, and an elderly man smiling as business slowly picks up for the day.
“Today start. I hope tomorrow can continue”
In the video, Imran chats casually with Mr Ismail while waiting for his massage. When asked how business has been, Mr Ismail is honest.
“Last time very hard to find people to massage. But today is okay.”
By the time the filming ends, he has attended to about five or six customers — more than usual. Imran later reveals that the customers were his friends, brought down intentionally to support him. Mr Ismail appears visibly taken aback.
Before leaving, Imran asks a question that stops the conversation.
“If you had your vision again, what would you want to see?”
Mr Ismail replies without hesitation.
“To see the world. To learn Quran. Can read the Quran. Important for me.”
Losing His Sight, not His Will to Work
Mr Ismail lost his vision at 14 years old after a high fever during his secondary school days.
Despite this, he went on to study, work various jobs, and eventually trained in both Chinese and Malay massage techniques, combining them into his own method. He has been providing traditional massage for over 15 years, operating from Bedok since the mid-2000s.
His booth — tucked near Bedok 538 Food Centre — is easy to miss. A few stools. Bottles of oil. A corridor most people walk past without noticing.
But those who stop often return. Some even call him “Dr Ismail”.
Patience, Loss, and Quiet Faith
Mr Ismail’s story has surfaced online before.
In a 2022 TikTok video shared by @tehtarik.sg, he spoke about customers who promised to return with payment but never did.
“It’s okay. I guess it’s his Rizq. All I can do is be patient.”
He also shared about his late wife, who had cancer and accompanied him daily until her death.
“If I could see, I would work day and night.”
Despite his age — now 71 — Mr Ismail continues working, not because he must, but because he wants to.
“I happy to work. I don’t like to stay at home.”
Where to Find Him
Mr Ismail operates under Block 539, Bedok North Street 3, near the staircase. At the end of Imran’s video, Mr Ismail offers a simple message to viewers.
“Thank you so much. Hope you all can come. I need your support.”
Sometimes, support starts with just showing up.
Watch the video here:
@aimrun
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