Yara Hadi Kharboutly, 16
Affected by: Autism
Yara is the first child of the Kharboutly family. When she turned one year old, her mother Dima realised that she had not achieved common milestones like talking and understanding basic commands. Sensing something was amiss, her sister-in-law insisted that she take the baby for an evaluation.
“We were in Syria back then and we took her to a few doctors back in Syria and Jordan. Finally, she was diagnosed with autism at the age of two and a half by a university doctor in Jordan,’ remembers Dima.
Today this 10th grader at Al Manhal School is an active girl who likes horseriding, swimming, skating and listening to music.
Growing up, she always knew Ramadan was arriving when her would father request her and her two sisters to help decorate the house. ‘It is a tradition we do till date. We make decorations from coloured paper and hang it all over. We also help my mom in preparing special sweets like cakes kunafa,’ she says.
She was nine years old when she understood the concept of Ramadan fasts but started fasting only when she was 13.
‘Her sister Maya, who is younger by a year, started fasting when she was 12 and now fasts for the whole month. Yara feels that she also has to undertake this feat, but we try to explain it to her to take it at her own pace. Maya feels responsible for Yara and has taken it upon herself to help Yara out in all her needs,’ says Dima. ‘The camaraderie between the both is amazing.’
Yara enjoys Ramadan because her mother makes her favourite dishes like chicken with potato and traditional Arabic desserts. She is now fasting on a few days. ‘Ramadan is a beautiful month where I feel closer to God. Though I feel tired when I fast, I know I must complete it,’ she says. ‘My family really encourages me to keep going.’
For Suhour she loves to have dates, eggs, and milk ...‘things that do not making me feel thirsty. For iftar I like to eat new delicacies every day.’
She is also looking forward to getting a new pair of skates which she has been promised for Eid.
The family is staying in Abu Dhabi so that Yara gets to complete her high school education. Since she is a good artist, they will move to Sharjah and enrol her in and art course at Sharjah University for her higher studies. ‘Though she gives the impression that she is withdrawn, Yara is a very smart and observant child. She is a straight A student and can achieve anything she wants when she puts her mind to it. She is also very considerate and caring. When ever any family member falls sick, she is the first one to take care of them and bring them anything they need,’ says Dima.
So, what according to the girl is the best thing about Ramadan?
‘The most beautiful thing is that it is the month of mercy and we all eat together,’ says Yara.
Yara enjoys dishes like chicken with potato and traditional Arabic desserts. She is now fasting on a few days. ‘Ramadan is a beautiful month where I feel closer to God,' says the girl