Abdullah Jassim builds skills for the workplace after overcoming challenges with family and community support

Dubai: The achievements of Abdullah Jassim, 20, who has Down syndrome, also tell the story of his mother’s success in navigating challenges and supporting her son with understanding and acceptance. Her approach helped strengthen his self-confidence and enabled him to overcome obstacles along the way. After successfully completing high school, Abdullah is continuing to develop his skills through vocational and administrative training as he prepares to enter the labour market and hopes to start a family in the future. Abdullah’s academic success reflects the support he received from his mother and those around him, particularly his school. The inclusive educational environment encouraged him to participate in activities and events, strengthening his ability to interact with his surroundings and the wider community. “Um Abdullah” said accepting and understanding her son’s condition helped make his rehabilitation journey easier and supported his development in later stages. She said she received the diagnosis of Down syndrome during the early stages of her pregnancy with complete acceptance and confidence that Abdullah would grow up to be a distinguished person. She explained that Abdullah joined physical, speech and occupational therapy programmes at Latifa Hospital and continued with them for four years, following a plan tailored to his individual abilities and needs. “Early intervention contributes greatly to supporting the rehabilitation and development process for people with disabilities,” she said. She added that the Emirates Down Syndrome Association and the Community Development Authority in Dubai played an important role in Abdullah’s rehabilitation and empowerment journey, leading up to his enrolment in school. Throughout his school years, his mother focused on developing his senses and relied heavily on repetition as part of the learning process, regardless of the effort, patience and sleepless nights it required. She also praised the school’s co-operation and commitment to integrating Abdullah into the educational environment, particularly the efforts of the teaching staff. Their support encouraged him to participate in classroom and extracurricular activities, helping to strengthen his self-confidence. Abdullah also spoke about his mother’s role throughout an educational journey marked by several milestones and achievements, saying she consistently supported him and strengthened his confidence in his abilities. Picture: Dennis Mallary. “Since Abdullah’s childhood, I have sought to develop his social skills, which has helped him develop his abilities to solve problems he encounters, deal with others, and enhance his ability to communicate and integrate with his surroundings,” she said. Abdullah said he owes everything he has achieved to his mother, including his membership of the “Elite Youth Determination” Council within the “Ambition” initiative for people of determination, launched by the Al Nahda Women’s Association in Dubai. He described his mother as his first supporter in every step he takes. He said the association helps convey his voice, along with those of other young people with disabilities, to the wider community through active participation in its events and programmes, contributing to their empowerment and social integration. Abdullah also spoke about his mother’s role throughout an educational journey marked by several milestones and achievements, saying she consistently supported him and strengthened his confidence in his abilities. He joined first grade at the age of eight. In second grade, he won an electronic competition organised by his school, competing against classmates without disabilities. He later took part in a poetry recitation competition, placing third on his first attempt before achieving first place in his next participation. He credited the support and encouragement of his school principal, who was keen to motivate him and strengthen his confidence. Acting is among Abdullah’s most prominent hobbies, offering him a way to express his talents, feelings and ideas while showcasing his abilities to the public. After graduating from high school, he set out to develop his technical skills, particularly in computer programmes and artificial intelligence technologies, to improve his prospects of entering the labour market and achieving the independence he hopes will eventually enable him to start a family. As part of that journey, Abdullah joined the “My Maxims” Academy after high school. The academy is described as the first specialised centre of its kind in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, focusing on vocational and administrative training and preparing people with disabilities aged over 18 to enter the labour market.