Dubai — A new centre for children with moderate to complex special needs called ‘High Hopes Paediatric Therapy Centre’ opened in Jumeirah on Sunday.
The centre was inaugurated by Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, Chairperson of Dubai Healthcare City Authority, Wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The fully integrated facility caters to children’s special needs in line with the UAE’s commitment to facilitating the highest levels of treatment and health care services, especially for children.
Princess Haya was also accompanied by Shaikha Budoor Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority and CEO of Kalimat Group, and Daughter of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, during her tour of the facility.
The facility is the brainchild of Majid and Lynn Jafar, whose family funded the centre. Launched to answer the need for specialised and accessible services, the centre will cater to children between the ages of 0 and 13 years-old. It will treat conditions such as neurodevelopmental disorders, neuromuscular diagnoses, genetic disorders, abnormal muscle tone, sensory processing difficulties, delayed developmental milestones, fine motor/visual motor deficits and self-care difficulties.
“We are extremely grateful to Her Royal Highness Princess Haya for inaugurating the Centre. Her support for children, especially those with special needs, is of great comfort and encouragement to the whole community,” said Lynn Jafar, Founder and Managing Mum of High Hopes.
Jafar said her mission with High Hopes is to provide the best possible standards of therapy for children with moderate to complex special needs in a caring and friendly environment, enabling them to maximise their potential and live fulfilling lives.
Specialists practicing at High Hopes include professionals in physiotherapy, occupational, speech and language, feeding, vision and hydrotherapy. The centre also plans to collaborate with international therapy institutions and have specialised visiting therapists introducing their newest techniques.
The newly launched centre is fully equipped with a sensory room and custom-made swimming pool as well as a fully inclusive outdoor playground that the kids and their siblings can enjoy.
“The centre is designed to serve as a much-needed refuge for children with complex special needs. These children are sometimes difficult to deal with. The centre offers a solution for parents who spend a lot of time trying to find the right services for their children, and settling for less than ideal care — it offers a place where the super special ones can make progress and have fun,” said Jafar.
