PA R E N T I N G
social issues that they need to constantly battle with.
Donna says, “I remember what a wreck I had become
after Ethan’s diagnosis. I slumped into deep clinical
depression. I did not want to meet anyone or do
anything for myself. My life was all about Ethan and
nothing and no one else.” children with special needs as part of society. Also, I
would like other mums like myself to know what to
look out for while their children are growing up so
autism can be detected early. The earlier the detection,
the better the help that can be rendered!”
All these four inspiring mums who have overcome
so much to give the best to their special children,
understand the need to provide support to others like
themselves. They are carrying on with initiatives in
their own little way to create awareness on autism. Indeed, having a child with Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD) has its challenges but also its joys. It is
extremely important for us as a society to understand
this condition and provide all the understanding and
help to such families as we can.
Dedra has taken her mission to create awareness
Other than health and mental turbulences, having
to another level altogether. She has produced a
a child with special needs can take a severe toll on a
documentary based on her child, Ibrahim, and
marriage. For instance, Donna’s
his journey named Lemonade.
Other
than
health
and
marriage almost dissolved. She says,
Lemonade has garnered a lot of
“At one point, my husband and
mental turbulences, appreciation as a made-in-the
I were on the brink of a divorce.
Emirates movie and has, in fact,
having
a
child
with
The pressure on our lives was just
won several awards like the Lady’s
too great.” Fortunately, Donna and
special needs can take a First International Film Festival, in
her husband managed to save their
Ireland for best executive producer.
severe
toll
on
a
marriage.
marriage with counselling. Things
Dedra also uses the movie’s
also improved for the better when
Facebook page to invite other
they moved to Dubai from South
mums like herself to share their
Africa. “We managed to find a good SEN school for
experiences. She is now looking to gain support to
Ethan and that took some pressure off us as he was
create a fund for families like herself to have financial
getting the right help. Ethan improved significantly
help to provide trained care takers to kids with special
and we then had our second child, Eli, who is two and needs. “The financial pressure is just too intense for
a half now,” she tells.
families like us. As a society, we need to help such
families to provide the best care possible for these
Unfortunately for Andrea, her marriage could not
children.”
survive the turbulence. She says, “I had little or no
support from Oscar’s Dad. Last year, when we faced
Andrea and Donna, who are also friends, wish to band
difficulties and lack of support at Oscar’s school, his
together to create an informal meet-up for mothers
Dad was not supportive in my pursuit to help my son
like themselves to get together possibly once a month.
and our relationship was affected. We decided to part
They feel that mums like themselves need an outlet
ways.”
to voice out their concerns to other mums who will
Andrea is now bringing up Oscar and her younger
identify with and understand them, and guide them
daughter, Maisie, as a single mother.
in the right direction. Currently, Donna runs a parent
support group on Facebook called ‘Autism Moms &
Dads Dubai’.
Creating Awareness
Amina explains, “I am honest about my child and I
let others know about his condition. He is my special
child given by God and I am never ashamed of him. In
fact, he brings such joy in my life in his own little way.
Abdullah is so giving and loves me unconditionally”.
Amina is happy to talk about her experiences with
Abdullah and has done several live sessions on groups
on social media to spread awareness. “Society needs
to make things easier for parents like us and accept
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