Saturday 09 / November / 2024
Muscat: Although there are about 1,300 children, who suffer from Down Syndrome in Oman, there is only one specialist school in the country, which is capable of accommodating about 120 of these children.
The school located in Azaiba, employs around five teachers, who teach children suffering with the disability in batches from 9am to 7pm. Though a majority of the schoolchildren hail from the capital, there are those who attend the school from far-flung areas, such as Buraimi, Sur, Nizwa and Sohar.
Unfortunately, lack of space at the school and long commute times mean the children who don’t live in Muscat can only attend the school about once a week.
Habib Al Zawawi, the secretary of the Oman Down Syndrome Association, which runs the school, recognises that this is not ideal, but admitted there is little that can be done until more funding is received.
“We are trying to give everyone the chance to come to our school about once a week, but what we are also doing is visiting them at home and giving them a schedule,” he said. “We know this isn’t ideal, but in terms of our ability, this is all we can do at present.”
“The Ministry of Social Development does not give us that much support to cover the financial expenses, so we rely on donations and are trying our best to find companies to support us. We do charity events to collect some money, as well as gain sponsors for our organisation,” added Al Zawawi.
Down Syndrome affects those who have an extra chromosome in their genes, leading to different physical and mental development. Symptoms of Down Syndrome include impaired mental development, low muscle tone, slanted eyes, congenital heart disease and greatly reduced life spans of only about 30 to 35 years.
But parents of Down Syndrome children in Oman say their children are no different from any other.
“Children with Down Syndrome are able to take anything negative and make it positive,” said the mother of a five-year-old daughter. “Everybody loves our daughter, even her siblings adore her. She has been sent from heaven to us, it’s like everybody forgets she has Down Syndrome.”
“My daughter is fine, just like a normal child. She is at school from 8am until 1pm, has lunch and showers, then takes a nap,” she added. “When she wakes up, she spends the rest of the day playing. She’s our baby, she has blessed our home. She is a special person. All we try do is with a positive attitude.”
“She loves to act and sing. When she sings, she sings like it’s her song,” added the mother. “When she dances, she turns into the top dancer. Even in the kitchen, she’ll stay by your side the whole time trying to help. We have never thought of the idea of losing her. Just as God has placed her in our life, she can depart whenever it’s her time. Whether she’s 10, 30 or even 50, who are we to say?”
Another parent echoed this mother’s sentiments. His son, who also has Down Syndrome, suffers from a speech impediment.
“Our son goes to the centre at 7am and comes back at 1pm,” said the father of an eight-year-old boy. “In the evening, he continues writing and colouring. He doesn’t get angry, he’s actually very cool. He is no different than any other kid. He really enjoys colouring, and we are teaching him to colour inside the lines. He is also extremely helpful. If anybody needs help, he’s there to offer a helping hand. Whether it is folding the laundry or cutting the meat, he is ready.”
“We’ve heard of people who live with Down Syndrome until they’re 60,” he added.
“Previously, they used to keep their child locked in the house, and never let them out. But in the modern world, they are treated like any other child. He plays at his neighbour’s house. Parents are learning about the syndrome and teaching others.”
Spreading awareness, said an expert in Oman, is a big part of removing the social stigma associated with Down Syndrome.
“If you have a child with a disability, the entire family needs to work together and support each other, or there will be many social problems,” said Sabah Al Bahlani, chief executive officer of Oman’s Association of Early Intervention for Children with Disabilities.
“People are being shamed by society because they have been told they have a disabled child, and some parents are ashamed of this, as well, but this is changing in Oman, and younger parents are coming forward with their children.”
“But there is still a stigma in society, and even if parents are accepting it, the larger society is not aware of this,” she added. “Children in school need to be educated about children with disabilities and understand their limits so that they can learn to work with them. You may be disabled in some form, but it is never that everything will be taken away from you. Some things will manifest in greater ways than others.”
