Supporting SNAP

Theresa Gobbara, founder of Special Needs Awareness
Programme, SNAP.

I didn't know Randa had Down's syndrome until she was born, and I am glad I didn't. Once a problem is detected, many professionals give reasons why you shouldn't continue with the pregnancy.

They paint a very negative picture, which causes much anxiety and resentment. Randa, 14, is the eldest. We went on to have three boys: Yousef, 12, Salah, 11, and Nour, 9.

Before Randa's birth, I had little experience with people with special needs. For me, it was always something that happened to someone else. When she was a baby, I met a man with Down's syndrome; he was in his fifties. I asked him for advice. He said, "Teach her right from wrong and good from bad."

My mother supported me by saying, "I don't care what the doctors say, Randa is beautiful and she has the entire world to grow in."

These words have helped me through some tough times. Her birth has put me in touch with some extraordinary people.

I came to Dubai in March 2006 after my husband, Khaled, joined Emirates airline. He is from Egypt. Prior to Dubai, we lived in Cairo for seven years and in Bahrain for four; we also lived in the UK for three years, where I had my son Yousef. (Randa, Salah and Nour were all born in Cairo.)

Laying the foundation

SNAP (Special Needs Awareness Programme) took off by chance in January 2007. I was talking to a gentleman from a car enthusiast club about kids with special needs and how it would be great for them to have a high-speed ride in a sports car in a controlled environment.

Liaising with Sandy Norman of F1 Net Café, we held an event at the Umm Al Quwain Motorplex last March called Lap with SNAP. It was a huge success. It then became an annual event.

Before SNAP, I started a class in Cairo with the support of the Ministry of Social Affairs. A local paediatrician asked top students from the medical profession about ways to help families expecting babies with special needs.

I was active in Bahrain too, but devoted most of my time to my young family.In Dubai there is a need for SNAP which aims to tap into the potential of people with special needs, build their skills and empower them. We believe every person has a unique talent that can only be revealed when they are exposed to opportunities.

Unveiling inherent aptitude

There are four categories that make up SNAP: Excitement and Adventure; Theatrical and Drama; Artistic Creativity; and Trade and Vocational.

The first includes the thrill of driving around a racetrack at 150km/h in a red Ferrari. Which 17-year-old doesn't want to experience that? It is an annual event that incorporates students from around the UAE.

This year it was held at the Dubai Autodrome with 200 students and 150 sports cars. Our latest challenge in this category is the 'sailing taster' for 48 students from different centres in Dubai sponsored by Aggreko. Six students are selected every week for eight weeks.

Those who show an aptitude for the sport will be able to further their training in September. We are looking for some of the students to become professional sailors. In the second category we have auditions for singers, musicians, dancers and performers.

The third category will take several months to complete. Every participant will paint a square canvas in a colour representing his or her emirate. Those unable to use hands or feet will use their mouths.

Famous local artist Abdul Qader has kindly offered his expertise by choosing a vibrant set of colours that represent the colour of the sand in each emirate and Jotun Paints has donated paint needed for this project. On completion, this will be displayed in a public place so that everyone will have an idea of how many people there are in the UAE with a disability.

Our fourth category is dedicated to generating employment opportunities. It requires extensive planning as we work closely with students, centres, employers and occupational therapists.

Influencing output

I am constantly being told how grateful parents and students are to SNAP. One of our students, a 16-year-old boy, spoke for the first time the other week. Clearly it was a result of an adrenaline rush.

In our recent undertaking, which was a bit like Pop Idol, we saw a phenomenal amount of singing, music, dancing and acting talent. Equally phenomenal was the response I got from teenage students who volunteered to help.

I am looking forward to this year's show, which will be held tomorrow at 7.30pm at the GEMS Wellington International School Auditorium in Al Sufouh. Moreover, a couple of boys from the school have offered to take the banner of SNAP to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro on their trip so that they can promote equal rights for people with special needs. I think it is a great initiative.

My inspiration

My biggest inspiration is Randa. We share a great relationship. She is a typical teenager. Sometimes when I ask her to tidy her bedroom, she blanks me out by turning up the volume of her iPod.

She knows the latest songs and singers, and loves making her own selections. She also loves hanging out with her brothers, and often tells them to behave, be quiet and not to
act silly.

In a way I am blessed that Randa does not see herself as having a disability. When I ask her whether she has Down's syndrome, she replies, "No, I am just a big girl; I don't have Down's syndrome."

Family support

Since SNAP started, my world has opened to some of the most fascinating people. It's wonderful! I am so happy – it is the most fulfilling and pleasurable job I have ever had. Sometimes it gets frustrating, challenging and tiring, but the smiles and happiness from students make
it worthwhile.

I do make sure that my family's needs are met first, so that I don't feel guilty about neglecting them. Khaled is very supportive. My three boys are a tremendous support and they help with some of the activities. Having grown up with the diversity, they sometimes wonder what all the fuss is about when they see people with special needs being treated so differently.

A lot to be done

I would like society to realise that it is not a shame to have a child with special needs. Nevertheless, in the past year I have seen many positive changes in the UAE. The centres are doing excellent work.

I think, apart from the centres and society creating awareness, documentaries and stories printed and televised should play their part in dispelling the misconceptions of disabilities. The more society sees this as the norm, the more they will come to accept it.

For more info, e-mail theresagobbara@hotmail.com