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Name : Yousif Adel Al-Attal
Community Center: Kuwait Center For Autism
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I volunteered at the Kuwait Center For Autism for four weeks and gained the experience of a life time. It was one great opportunity that I could not pass up, all thanks to Loyac. Somehow, I dramatically changed from not understanding about mentally disabled people into a changed person that can understand them, their needs, and a lover for them. I found out that being Autistic doesn’t mean you’re not able to learn or communicate with others, It’s more like processing slowly to the world around you and having difficulty communicating with others. They have feelings exactly as normal kids would have, but they only react according to them slower. I’ve also learnt that the Key to their hearts is love. Love and care about them and you’ll be surprised with the results! In no time, you’ll receive random hugs and kisses. Everyone has their own way to express their love, and they have their own as well. I love children so much, and somehow, I‘m more attached to Autistic kids than any other normal kid I‘ve met. Give them the chance and start communicating with them, and you’ll find out that an Autistic Kid is just as pure and innocent as a Snowflake.
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Name : Ahmad Khalid Al-Basairi
Community Center: Fawziya Sultan Rehabilitation / Autism
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Working at Fawziya Sultan Rehabilitation enriched me with great values and experience. I've learned that there's nothing like gathering and stick together as a team. There's nothing can be compared to that. We can not extend or evolve if we don't stick together and believe in ourselves. Another value I gained is the importance of being true to ourselves and to others and to be honest with ourselves and others because other than that, problems will be rooted in our lives. You have to be clear in what you are saying or doing because people may not read your mind, you have to let them know about what you are feeling. Don't hesitate to tell your mates your true feelings about their behaviors or actions. They'll get the chance to be better human beings. I've Learnt that people are not the same. I got to know the good ones and the bad ones, I found out that I can't deal with people in the same way. Another thing I learnt is Smiling. just smile :) Charlie Chaplin said in his song "Smile": "Smile through your fear and sorrow,Light up your face with gladness,Hide every trace of sadness,You'll find that life is still worthwhile,If you just smile." Smiling is the most effective way to make a great impression, to leave an ageless footprint in someone's heart. I also learnt to never underestimate myself, I'm a superhero in someone's eyes. When I first began volunteering at Kuwait Centre Of Autism, I had this idea in my mind that Autistic people are so different than normal people. I was so nervous to enter this new world , dealing with people with a disorder I've never witnessed except in movies. But once I step in the centre. That idea in my mind was gone. What I was seeing there was so different from what I had thought. Some autistic people are so intelligent, creative, active, gifted and talented. Some of them are smarter than you and me. They are humans with feelings and they know what is going on and they can relate to things. They are people who have their own favourite shows, they like certain things and dislike others. They have their own favourite meals, drinks , clothes and people. They have a normal life. Sometimes I ask myself if they are the ones who are normal not us! They just have troubles understanding things in the social environment. Autistic people have the best smiles you can ever see in your life. Their smiles are so amazing and different than us.. how ?.. When they smile , you can see the happiness , the spirit, the cheer and the peace in their smiles. Despite the disorder they have , you can witness how happy they are. It's like they have the whole world under their fingertips. Every time I go there, I feel so peaceful and happy. Once you get to know them, you don't want to leave them. I've never been attached to a group of people like them. It's just there's something special about them that makes me smile, feels like I'm at the top of the world and makes my problems and fears disappear. It's amazing how I was seeking happiness for so long and I found it in a place where you've never thought of. It's the first time in my life that I actually get up early by myself and heading straight to the centre without having breakfast sometimes... and that at a daily bases although I just have to work at sunday and monday. I'd love to work at kuwait centre for autism just to be with them. You may not understand that but once you step in the centre... trust me, you will. I was so blessed to work at Kuwait Centre For Autism. This experience has changed my life , made me humble and thankful for what I am and what I have and made appreciate life and people more than before. It has made me a better person. It has gotten me closer to the person I want to be. I'll never forget those beautiful faces I see everyday that changed me and made me the person I am today. I'm so humbled by this experience and I can't wait to be back next summer.
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