Kuwait Down’s Syndrome Society organises Girgian

Many children participated

KUWAIT CITY, June 10: Kuwait Down’s syndrome Society organized its 20th “Girgian” festival under the auspices of Sheikha Anisa Al-Salem and Sheikh Duaij Al-Khalifa, with the cooperation of Kuwait Finance House, reports Al-Qabas daily.

A huge number of children who suffer from Down’s syndrome had participated in various competitions of festival as well as the exhibition of handicraft works.

Head of Kuwait Down’s syndrome Society Hissa Al-Baloul revealed that there are 3,200 cases of Down’s syndrome in Kuwait among both Kuwaitis and nonKuwaitis.

She explained that Kuwait Down syndrome Society accepts only 500 cases due to its limited space. Those affiliated to the society receive academic education, and a rehabilitation workshop is organized for the older patients.

Al-Baloul indicated, “The government focuses more on movement and sensory disability, and neglects difficult mental disability”.

She requested more support for the society in order to enable it to expand its services to reach more needy people, indicating that the increase in the Down’s syndrome cases, especially among the grown-ups who are receiving

Sheikha Anisa

the necessary health and social care, contributed in making people adopt a healthier lifestyle. She added that the oldest patient suffering from Down’s syndrome is 55 years old.

Al-Baloul said the older patients are in need of sports clubs, especially during the summer season, but unfortunately they do not find a sporting facility that accepts them.

She revealed that the society’s program for this year will offer swimming lessons in coordination with Jumeirah Messila Hotel, and it will organize rehabilitation workshops and activities such as carpentry and décor.

In her role, the Deputy Director for following up cases of the disabled in Kuwait Down’s Syndrome Society Khaloud Al-Ali said people who suffer from Down’s syndrome can be effective members of the Kuwaiti society, such that, instead of being regarded as a burden on the society, they can become a part of the society.

However, she added, this can only be achieved if the necessary services and care are provided for them in order to enable improvement of their skills in an ideal manner.

Al-Ali praised the services which have been incorporated in law No 8/2010 for those who suffer from Down’s syndrome.

She affirmed the keenness of the society to celebrate all occasions with its members for making them happy, adding, “The least you can offer them is your participation in order to celebrate the occasions with them”.