Special children: ‘We can all contribute to society equally’

Students with learning disabilities exhibit handmade decorative candles.

LAHORE:

“I want to show people that people with disabilities can make healthy contributions to the society,” Mariam Arshad, a 19-year-old student with learning disabilities, said on Sunday.

She was among the 18 girls exhibiting their decorative candles at Yum restaurant. The exhibition was arranged by the Pakistan Association for Difficulties in Learning.

As many as 100 decorative marble and ice candles were exhibited.

“I use a wheelchair but I don’t want people to see me that way. I can do whatever everyone else can. I’m every excited because we got an order for 500 candles today which is quite encouraging, “ said Hafsa Ijaz, another 19-year-old student.

PADIL Chief Executive Officer Ashba Kamran said the purpose of the exhibition was to generate awareness about children with disabilities.

“They want trade and not aid,” she said. “Under Article 25 of the Constitution, all citizens are equal.



We need to realise that as a society and stop excluding,” she added.

Kamran said the exhibition had received positive feedback and a lot of people had shown sympathy for the cause by placing orders for the candles to support the children.

“They have also encouraged the children,” she said.

Former minister for education Mian Imran Masood said schools were not properly equipped to cater to the needs of special students. He said in some cases families abandoned their disabled children.

“We hope to change this mindset... I will continue working for this cause,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2013.