Founder of Helping Angels. A Malaysian-Taiwanese artist, writer, poet, multidisciplinary designer, jeweller, entrepreneur, philanthropist and motivational speaker who survived 3 spinal surgeries and battled paralysis caused by a rare case of benign tumour that kept recurring within her spinal cord (thoracic intradural meningioma).

Health history[link]

Poesy first suffered from paraplegia at 17 (1992) due to acute thoracic intradural meningioma. The first surgery to remove the cancers was done in Kuala Lumpur General Hospital by neurosurgeons Mr. Chee and Dr. Selva. She walked again and enjoyed a miraculous recovery - regaining 90% of her strength, she was ballroom dancing and back on television in 1994.

The same conditions recurred in Poesy's spine when she was 28 (2003) with the mass of tumours coiled around her spinal cord removed by neurosurgeon Dr. Richard Veerapen in Sunway Medical Centre. Major segments of the tumors were successfully extracted with some inevitably damage to her spinal cord, leaving behind some significant tumours that were impossible to remove. Poesy was paralyzed for the second time, but another miracle followed. Despite major loss of sensation and control, Poesy manages to walk using her visual senses without the accurate sensation of her lower limbs.

With the financial aid of her private circles, Poesy underwent a third medical procedure to tackle the rest of her spinal tumours in 2006. She was treated with a Cyberknife surgery in Stanford University, by neurosurgeon Dr. John R. Adler, Jr, the inventor of the medical technology. There has been no news of tumour movement and regrowth since.

Helping Angels[link]

Helping Angels started as a Facebook group to recruit volunteers to do welfare work in August 2007. Projects born of the Helping Angels movement are supported by 4 exclusive rules - no involvement in fund raising or collection of donations, no commercial marketing activities, no political rallying activities, no religious evangelism allowed. The group started in Malaysia and rapidly recruited members globally. All activities are funded privately, to offer opportunities for volunteers to use their wisdom, influence, skills, creativity and time resources to help others. The movement of compassion based on the random acts of kindness, seeks to encourage the donation of time and efforts, placing less importance in material and money charity. Activities cover welfare of the underprivileged, education, homeless, old aged, animal rescue and rehoming, and life-coaching. To date the volunteer movement now exists in Malaysia, Bali, Thailand, Taiwan, USA, Europe, Africa and Hong Kong.

Thursday Tutoring Program was established since September 27, 2007 covering Precious Children's Home, Trinity Children Centre and Precious Youth Centre. Every Thursday evenings, 3 groups of Kuala Lumpur Klang Valley volunteering-members will clock in to give academic aid to the young residents of these welfare homes.

Bald Empathy Movement[link]

Poesy shaved her head bald at the 64th Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2011 to bring awareness to the following 5 objectives :

1. To make bald fashionable and cool, as an empathy movement for those suffering from loss of dignity due to premature hair-loss, and hair-loss due to chronic illnesses such as cancer.

2. To advocate wholesome lifestyles. Living well - emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. Encourage healthy attitude, diet, exercise, lifestyle and free of destructive or negative habits - by getting a deeper understanding of wholesome wellness vs chronic illnesses.

3. To raise sensitivity towards survivors and patients suffering from ill health. Learning awareness so we do not cause further stress to those who are battling health issues. E.g.; Don't bring germs or viruses (no matter how minor) to visit someone who is already fighting for their life. Don't take chances with other lives. Appreciate that ignorance can lead us to take many things in life such as health for granted. Don't impose secondhand smoke onto non-smokers.

4. Know that we can give our hair to cancer patients by getting the wigs made and gifting it as a gesture of love and respect. Don't just give away the loose hair - make the wig before giving. Good wigs are expensive things. Here is an opportunity for you to give away something not just great, but good and from your heart. Lighten the financial load for others. This point is an awareness for generosity.

5. No hair, no shampoo, less water. Be mindful towards the environment.

A collection of international photographers and film makers are part of the crew to viral the movement on the internet to gain worldwide attention. Her parents and Matthias Gelber joined Poesy to shave their head in support and solidarity.

Poesy's World[link]

A private online magazine where Poesy Liang documented her journals daily since 1999. The site has been closed to public consumption since 2005.

Her education[link]

Educated between 1982–1992 in Bukit Bintang Girls' School. Completed Diploma Architecture Engineering in Federal Institute of Technology (1992–1995). Poesy's health rapidly deteriorated and she was chronically bedridden during her first semester in architectural school. Completed a Graduate Dip. Management and Executive MBA with Southern Cross University (1999–2001) and retired from the media industry. Poesy went on to read law, with the University of London (2002–2003). At the end of her first year in law school, Poesy was diagnosed with the second bouts of spinal tumours. In 2005, Poesy attended courses in Daylighting and Lighting Design in Lightfair International 2005 New York while she researched for medical solutions in America.

Arts[link]

Trained classically from six years old in carving Chinese stone seal, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese landscape painting, Chinese watercolours, piano and ballet.

Her most significant claim to poetry :

Probability of 1 today = 1000 tomorrows.
Half a mistake a hundred sorrows.
Time consistently brims up choices.
To be made among clanging noises.
No sure win situation?
1% inspiration 99% perspiration.
Every angle lends a separate hue of day.
A colorless debt it cannot repay.
Visions improve with quiet reflection.
Complaints regrets define incomprehension.
Churn the secular knowledge one borrows.
Todays are infinite spectrum of tomorrows.
Reflection of Today poem by Poesy

Career[link]

She is most known for her survival stories ^[1][2][3] of overcoming paralysis twice and the various philanthropic causes she later spearheaded through Helping Angels. 2008 sees an endorsement for a Japanese luxury skincare SKII campaign of 'Commitment to Compassion'(Malaysia & Singapore) as 'Founder of Helping Angels'.

• Interior designer.
• Multidisciplinary designer.
• Principal of a jewellery brand.
• Founder of Helping Angels.
• Artist.
• Author.
• Motivational speaker.

Private life[link]

Kuala Lumpur, born July 31, 1975, to father Leong Khai Kwan, a Malaysian Chinese of Cantonese descent and mother Chuang Mei Yin, a Taiwanese of Hakka descent. Poesy was discovered at the age of 14 to star in a Levi's Strauss television commercial as the 501 girl for Malaysia and Singapore. Since then she started to appear in advertisements and television programs until she announced retirement in the Chinese media about at the age of 24.

Poesy's mother is an acupuncturist and traditional herbalist, and was also trained in western medicine in midwifery. It was said that it made the big difference in Poesy's rehabilitation from paralysis. During her medical career, Dr. Chuang also traveled extensively to offer welfare aid to the underprivileged patients in Peninsula Malaysia.

From age 16, her brother Liang Tse Chung left to the USA. During her television years, Poesy faced social difficulties which resulted in self-isolation.The media world became a great torment which led to the reinvention of her life, through her various academic and creative pursuits. In an interview she mentions the use of art for healing in aspects of both physical and spiritual well-being.

Poesy's family lost their financial comfort in the early 80s. Through her growing years, she watched her parents suffer hardships and their sacrifices made a great impact on her. Despite difficulties, her father persevered her under the artistic and cultural training with the guidance of masters, who were his personal friends. When the opportunities arose, Poesy worked in the media industry to lighten the family's burdens.

As a teenager, Poesy attended bible school. Due to her alternative lifestyle as a teenage television personality, she faced difficulty in the Christian community. At 30, she ventured to study Tibetan Buddhism with Dagpo Lama Rinpoche. She also met with many wise masters, including Jetsun Pema. Poesy remains neutral to all religion.

She spends her free time pursuing new artistic skills and travels, while she dedicates a calling towards philanthropy and humanitarian works.

Poesy's family is based in Kuala Lumpur. They also have family in Singapore, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Europe and the USA.

Sources[link]

1. Online group finds a way to give back to the community by Tan Ju Eng
2. More about Poesy
3. Googled results of Poesy's news
4. New Mall, Old School: The Pavilion and the Demolition of BBGS by Gabrielle Low
5. Report from a participant of the Young Leadership International
6. POEZ Jewellers
7. SK-II Nona TV3 Interview of Poesy Liang, Founder of Helping Angels
8. Helping Angels Official Website, Work in Progress
9. Helping Angels Facebook Group
10. The Asian Conference of Neurological Surgeons
11. Sunway Medical Centre
12. Resolving Conflict in Healthcare
13. Medical Defence Malaysia
14. Poesy in Motion Dare Magazine Oct 2004 Interview
15. The Star November 16, 2005 Interview
16. The Star November 19, 2005 Interview
17. The Star March 14, 2008 Interview
18. Share your Tip for a Great Blog
19. The Girl Who Just Wouldn't Give Up
20. Lending A Helping Hand
21. Info on Precious Children's Home
22. Info onTrinity Children Centre
23. Poesy's World
24. Accuray, Inc.: A Neurosurgical Business Case Study by John R. Adler, Jr. MD.
25. Hoover's Profile: Accuray Incorporated
26. Sept 9, 2009 Sunday Times New Straits Times article Women who have got it all
27. Starring Poesy 'Soul In Me' 1999 MTV
28. Aug 30, 2009 Sunday People New Straits Times article WOW: A Helping Angel
29. Live & Inspire Humanitarian Awards Nomination
30. Sept 30, 2009 The Sun article Nominate ordinary people with extraordinary lives
31. Aug 10th, 2009 The Star article School reunion celebrated with a big bang
32. Dec 30th, 2009 The Star article Crafted with Care
33. Sept 9th, 2009 The Sun article Designs from the Heart
34. Jan 30th, 2010 Phoenix Info-Channel interview on Poesy Liang & Gratitude Letters Project in Hong Kong

References[link]