Spirit of Hong Kong Awards: Blind musician with rare birth disease plays her heart out
A year after a seven-hour surgery in Hong Kong in 2025, Cassie Li Pui-ying was on stage at Queen Elizabeth Stadium, playing the drums before an audience of more than 2,500 people. She heard the applause but could not see who it came from. That March night was organised by Live Theatre, which her mother Marine Mak also helps run. Li sang, spoke and played the drums. The group gives visually…
In 2025, a year after a grueling seven-hour surgery in Hong Kong, Cassie Li Pui-ying took the stage at Queen Elizabeth Stadium to captivate an audience of over 2,500 people with her drumming skills. Li, who heard the applause but remained blindfolded, embodies faith, optimism, and cheer despite facing numerous health challenges. Her mother, Marine Mak, who co-organizes the Live Theatre group, offers support and a platform for visually impaired students like Li to perform.
For the second consecutive year, the 17-year-old has been nominated for the perseverance category in the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, a recognition program organized by Sino Group and the South China Morning Post. Launched in 2013, the awards aim to spotlight individuals and groups whose contributions might otherwise go unnoticed.
Reflecting on her health struggles, Li recounted a difficult year in 2025 when she was readmitted to Queen Mary Hospital's intensive care unit. She expressed a desire for a normal life and questioned the need for another surgery, but her long-time surgeon reassured her that they would help her recover.
Born with Hirschsprung's disease, a rare birth condition that prevents the development of nerve cells necessary for proper digestion, Li's prognosis was once grim. Doctors initially predicted she would only live for about 10 months. She is blind in her left eye and has only 10 percent of her vision in her right eye. Despite enduring years of hospitalizations and a limited diet, music became Li's passion.
She learned to play various instruments and is now in Form Four, pursuing an adapted curriculum with a focus on music. To assist her in learning songs, she utilizes enlarged sheet music, tactile markers on guitar frets, and a tuning app. Li hopes to eventually build a career in music, whether through performing, songwriting, or other industry-related work.
Li's resilience stems not only from her health battles but also from personal hardships, including the loss of her father six years ago when she was 11. However, rather than feeling a sense of loss, she cherishes the fond memories of her father, recalling a photograph of them holding hands as a young child. Li attributes her strength to the unwavering support of her mother, teachers, and healthcare professionals at Queen Mary Hospital's pediatric ward.
Their encouragement and care have been instrumental in helping her navigate difficult times, motivating her to continue learning, performing, and looking forward to the future.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post - Hong Kong's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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