THE CHAMPION OF THE IRAQI SWIMMING TEAM IN PARALYMPICS SENDS HER HEARTFELT GREETINGS
Dania Al Shahwani, who is the champion of the Iraqi Swimming Team, participating in Abu Dhabi Paralympic Games and her mother Dr. Yousry Abdel Rahman Mahmoud directed their sincerest thanks to Her Highness Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Vice President of Supreme Council for Family Affairs & Director General of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS). 21 years ago, Her Highness Sheikha Jameela offered Dania inclusion, rehabilitation, and training services according to the best practices worldwide although she was not living in United Arab Emirates.
Dania’s mother has pointed out the circumstances of that time. She gave birth to her baby girl in Iraq. She knew that she was born with Down syndrome. She was in denial and almost gave up on her baby. She did not know what to do at that time. Her Highness Sheikha Jameela asked one of Mrs. Yousry’s relatives, who was living in United Arab Emirates, to invite Dania to SCHS in order to receive rehabilitation services free of charge
Mrs. Yousry thought this was a great opportunity. Therefore, she traveled with her child to United Arab Emirates. The mother and her child received every possible services on the hands of SCHS Early Intervention Center best disability professionals for an entire month. Dania’s mother received training on the proper way to deal with her daughter and she received psychological backup as well.
After returning to Iraq, Dania’s mother confirms that she did not stop training and teaching her daughter until she enrolled her in a public school. There, she continued her education. However, she kept on visiting SCHS from time to time.
Dania’s mother has confirmed that her daughter’s life went through four different stages. The first stage began in Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, which was the basic stage. In the second stage, Dania was able to develop her speech, reading, playing, and computer skills. She joined school also.
The third stage began by practicing swimming. In 2013, Dania joined the Iraqi Swimming Team and participated in the Regional Tournament in Cairo in 2015. She won the bronze medal. In 2018, she took part in the Regional Tournament in Abu Dhabi and won the bronze medal. Currently, she is participating in Paralympics Abu Dhabi 2019.
The fourth stage is the stage of playing the piano. Now, she can play many different pieces of music. Dania participated in many festivals. She represented her country in the best way she could.
To conclude, Mrs. Yousry has confirmed that all these magnificent results achieved by Dania in sports, music, and social life was due to the services offered by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services. Finally, she sent her best wishes to Her Highness Sheikha Jameela and SCHS staff.