Dubai's Pakistani youth hold event for people with disability issues

Dubai - "One must know them for abilities, not disabilities."

Health professionals of Pakistan Youth Forum (PYF) Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) conducted a Disability Day campaign recently at Senses Centre, Dubai.
The campaign, held under the slogan " Know me for my abilities, not for my disabilities", involved five PYF professionals in the 18-30 age group; 40 special needs youth aged between 4 and 25 and their 8 care takers and teachers.
The objective of the PYF-PAD event was to pursue improved health amongst the Pakistani community via this event.
"We as health professionals, interns in different medical fields want to encourage people with special needs to face life boldly and to feel that they are different but not less. Life still holds a charm for them, they are pure souls. All they need is a fellow feeling, a tiny part of a day spent with them may be unusual but that makes their day. We are more than happy to do that for them in the future as well," said Samira Amna, health secretary, PYF.
Talking about the purpose of the event, Samira said: "This event aims at improving the understanding of people with disability issues and providing them support. This initiative aimed at improving their self-esteem, well-being and rights in society. This was done by encouraging and involving the special needs youth into activities so that they don't feel left out."
There were various activities that aimed at engaging students of Senses Centre by way of stimulating their senses, getting their attention, fostering calmness and developing motor skills.
These activities included matching sticks, dancing to the beat, bowling, making Lego structures and creating shapes with clay and magical sand.
Nadia Khalil Al Sayegh, the founder of Senses Centre said: "Special needs persons always need someone around them to interact and engage with them, and I would love to see health professionals of PYF-PAD again as the children absolutely loved the overall session."
Dr Faisel Ikram, general secretary, Pakistan Association Dubai, said: "This event supports the UAE leadership's commitment to make Dubai one of the world's most disabled friendly cities by 2020."
The event concluded by PYF health professionals giving away exciting prizes to the special needs students, boosting their morale, making them feel important and bringing innocent smiles on their faces.
saman@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai