What defines family? They’re the ones who stand by us in great times and bad. Family is, above all else, bonded by love. Here’s our recipe for a happy family life:
- 2 cups of love – Life often sets us down paths that seem unfair, filled with pain and tragedy. But there are those among us who find the courage to push through the adversity and emerge stronger. Meet Abdul Mannan, a young boy born with developmental disabilities, who survived the devastating loss of his loved ones. He lost his father, grandfather and younger brother in a house fire. He, too, suffered serious burns and had to undergo almost a year of surgeries and treatments. Now, bearing scars on his face, he is moving forward fearlessly with the support of his mother Muniza, and his Special Olympics family. Read more about this journey of love and courage HERE.
- 3 tbsp of friendship – Meet Vivek Kumar Singh, who was left partially blind by a tragic accident at 12. Being a sports enthusiast from a young age, his visual impairment didn’t stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming an athlete. In fact, he often jokes that when you lose one of your senses, you develop new ones like superheroes. Being a firm believer in the power of sports to help people with disabilities overcome the impossible, he become a volunteer with Special Olympics, organizing games and sporting activities for children with intellectual disabilities in rural villages across India. His efforts have made a difference in the lives of hundreds of young athletes. Read more about his story of friendship and passion HERE.
- 1 pinch of hope – Towards the sixth month of pregnancy, Noraini Amin learned that she was going to have a child with Down Syndrome and was asked to make a life-defining decision by her doctors. Scared as she was, it never crossed her mind to not have this child. Her daughter Hadbaa, now 7, has hearing issues due to a narrow ear canal which has affected her speech development as well. Since her birth, her parents knew they would have to work a little harder to help her physical and cognitive development. She joined Special Olympics at the age of 3, and there has been no looking back since. Noraini’s message to the world is simple – don’t hide your children with intellectual disabilities. Don’t stop them from exploring the world. If you do, you’ll miss out on the chance to witness them grow into strong, independent and confident young people! Read more about her story of love and hope HERE.
- 1 barrel of faith – Baljit Rana Singh and his wife’s first child, Samarpratap, was born with a tumor in his brain. At a tender age of just 3 months, he had to undergo brain surgery. At 4 months, he developed hydrocephalus, an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain, and required yet another surgery. Spending those early years in the hospital, with multiple surgeries and medication, he missed all the milestones that kids his age achieve. He couldn’t speak and only took his first steps when he was 18 months old. When he was 3, his parents came close to losing him when he suffered a seizure and had serious infection. He was convulsing and had to be put on a ventilator. Fortunately, he survived. When he was a little older, he joined the Special Olympics Young Athletes program, taking part in simple games to help his physical and social development. It helped build his strength and focus. Today, Samarpratap is a healthy and active child, who loves to skate. What has kept this extraordinary family going, was faith! Read their full story HERE.
Take a step towards a more inclusive world by supporting thousands of children with intellectual disabilities and their families. Take action and give the #GiftofInclusion today!