Hopes grow high as UAE gets closer to Special Olympics

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Hopes grow high as UAE gets closer to Special Olympics
Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sport Council, receives the Special Olympics World Games flag in the Austrian city of Graz.

For many families, the games in March 2019 is not just a sporting spectacle.

by

Anjana Sankar

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Published: Sat 15 Dec 2018, 9:34 PM

Last updated: Thu 31 Jan 2019, 1:16 PM

The countdown for the Special Olympics World Games 2019 has begun. In less than 100 days, more than 7,500 athletes from 192 nations will descend on Abu Dhabi to participate in the 50th edition of the game.
For many families in the UAE, Special Olympics is not just a sporting spectacle. It is a hope and determination to fight and change the perceptions in the society toward the intellectually disabled people.
Al Shami family is one among them. Their 16-year-old son Omar Al Shami will be representing the UAE in Swimming.
"Special Olympics has further built Omar's confidence and made him the swimmer he is today. It has also motivated him to practise more and to prove himself capable," Omar's mother Rulla Al Shami told Khaleej Times.
Omar joined Special Olympics in 2015 through a national game held in Sharjah. He joined MENA Special Olympics 2018 and was able to win a gold medal and a silver medal in swimming. He will debut for the World Games this year in Abu Dhabi.
Rulla said the journey of Omar from a small boy with Down Syndrome to a gold-medal winning swimmer was challenging and amazing.
"When I first learned from the doctor that Omar has Down Syndrome and most probably won't be able to walk, talk, or do anything by himself, I was shocked and did not know how to respond or to react. After a few moments, something inside me told me that this baby is actually a gift from Allah and a blessing to the family, which is what he actually turned out to be."
From a young age, Omar interacted with us like his other siblings, which made us believe in his abilities. Of course, with Omar, we had to concentrate with him more on certain areas that needed improvement, such as speech. Among his family members, Omar is treated normally like his siblings and cousins. This also helped in building his character and independence. Today, Omar is 16 years old and in Grade 10 in a regular private school. I am so proud of the young man that he is today," said Rulla.
Omar has already set his goals for future. He wants to be a successful businessman and a swimming Olympian athlete. He also aspires to be an influencer and motivator for the people of determination inside and outside his community.
According to Rulla, participating in Special Olympics gives the people of determination a chance to show their various capabilities and skills to the world. "They have also helped us to prove that the people of determination are just like us with dreams and hopes for tomorrow."
Similar is the journey of 22-year-old Chaica Al Qassimi who has Down Syndrome. The condition has not stopped her from getting a Black Belt in karate and also mastering nine different forms of martial arts. She has also won a bronze medal at the Arab karate championship in Cairo recently. "My biggest dream is to spread awareness of disability and probably assimilation. To show the global stage who we are and who we've become. We are human beings. We're normal. We can't change. And we'll fight for what we believe," Al Qassimi told an audience at Wahat Al Karama on a special CNN event to mark the 100 Days to the beginning of the Special Olympics. Al Qassimi is one among the torch runners in next year's Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi.
The hope and excitement to the run-up to the World Olympics is not limited to participating athletes and their families alone.
Amal Al Nuaimi, mother of Khalid, said it is a golden opportunity for families with children of determination to be just part of Special Olympics. "It is beyond anyone's imagination what this means to us. When we see people with special abilities perform and prepare for this event, and being part of this. It makes our children feel important. It gives them the confidence to chase their dreams," said Al Nuaimi, whose son is autistic.
"We hope this is a chance for the society to shed its perceptions about intellectually disabled people. Same time, families should also grab this chance to break the barriers and come and accept their children for who they are."
anjana@khaleejtimes.com

Inclusion and equal opportunity are the main goals to achieve
Inclusion and equal opportunity for specially-abled people are the main goals the UAE want to achieve by hosting the Special Olympics.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Tala Al Ramahi, chief strategy officer for Special Olympics, said the goal is to use these games to address social misperceptions towards people with Intellectual disabilities (ID) and also to inspire and trigger change in policies and programmes to promote inclusion and opportunities for people with ID.
"The main bid is what we are leaving after March 21 for everybody. It is not just about the games. It is about the legacy we leave behind. Essentially our strategy is to engage with local partners - federal and international organisations - to create new programmes for people with intellectual disabilities. Work on amending policies to encourage further inclusion in society. And then in some instances to create more inclusive physical places."
Ramahi's team has recently conducted a regional perception survey to understand societal perception on people with intellectual disabilities. "We went in to 42 homes of people with ID for what we call 'Home Immersions' to hear from people directly what their challenges and aspirations are. Through the findings, we are working with the Ministry of Community Development to fill the need gaps."
The team is currently working on two programmes for local schools that will start in January next year. "One is the community school programmes to run inclusive after-school programme for 10 schools in Abu Dhabi. These programmes include inclusive sports, art programmes and awareness workshops for the community on ID and how to deal with people with ID," said Ramahi.
The second one - The Unified Champion Schools - is a programme that was developed by Special Olympics International to promote more inclusive schools. The programme aims to promote participation and leadership by ensuring that people with IDs are represented in student councils and other engagements in schools.
"The message we want to get out there is that our communities and social spaces are for everyone. We are trying to change perceptions by engaging the community in conversations and activities and help them break the barriers. World Games is a platform to begin that transformation and we want societies and public and private partners to take it forward," said Ramahi.
Lauding the UAE for its vision and compassion, Becky Anderson, managing director, CNN Abu Dhabi, said the emirate is "leading from the front in recognising people with special abilities as a part of the society".
"When you have a country that is actively opening doors for people with special abilities and ensuring that inclusion is part of public policies going forward across education, health and employment, I think it will set a fantastic precedent for this region and other around the world," Anderson said.
anjana@khaleejtimes.com



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