Basmala flew an aircraft from Al-Maza Military Airbase in Heliopolis over Cairo. After her aerial excursion, she said: “Nobody is like me now… I am over the moon…I was like a bird flying in the sky.”
The 9-year-old aviator from Ahl Misr Foundation is no ordinary child. She is a person with determination as she is the survivour of serious burn injuries. She made headlines after her conversation with Egyptian President
Abdel Fattah El Sisi during the Celebration of the Differently-Abled at the Manara International Convention Centre, New Cairo, earlier this week.
Basmala told the president live on air that she wished she could fly a plane.
President Sisi promptly called Minister of Defence General Mohamed Zaki. Less than 24 hours later, Basmala was piloting an aircraft with dual controls.
“I was sure that the president would make all my dreams come true. I want to tell all differently abled people that I love them all. Never lose hope,” she told The Egyptian Gazette, adding that she dreams of becoming a pilot to ferry patients and save lives.
Changing perceptions
The Celebration of the Differently Abled is now a huge event for children of determination thanks to Egypt’s president, who keenly supports those children in achieving their ambitions.
Amal Mobadda, who is head of the Egyptian Sports Federation for Intellectual Disabilities, told this paper that for the first time ever, a president talks on live television with differently abled people, then takes action on what was said.
“We had been preparing the programme a whole the year. The president always supports us beyond our expectations. He gives us more than we could ever dream of,” she said.
Mobadda said this celebration has changed the way in which we deal with differently abled people.
“They don’t want our sympathy. They are not disabled. They are abled, but in a different way. We need to empower them to reach their full potential. This is my mission since I took up this position,” she said.
This year, the celebration will showcase talented people from across the nation.
“Before the event, we announce that we need people with a talent to take part. We hold auditions in front of a selection panel,” she said.
Esraa Youness, Ceremony Logistics Coordinator and Legal Researcher for the African Union, said this year over 300 differently-abled people took part in the celebration.
“In differently abled celebrations, we engage with everyone who has visual impairment, or is hearing-impaired or has problems with motor kills and burn survivors,” she said.
Youness said that from now they will start working on the next event, which will be held at international level. Differently-abled people will be invited from abroad. “This will give children more opportunities to share experiences and dreams. We will select talent from outside Egypt as well,” she added.
“Listened like father”
In December 2019, visually-impaired Muhannad earned fame after the second Celebration of the Differently Abled when he asked the president to introduce the subject ‘Respect for others’ to the school curriculum. President Sisi therefore gave instructions for this subject to be taught in schools nationwide.
“This is a wonderful feeling. I cannot put it into words. I am happy, proud and joyful. Pride is what I feel most now,” he told this newspaper.
“President Sisi listened to us as a father, not as a head of state. Differently-Abled has been a turning point in my life,” he said.
Muhannad said his dream is to raise the name of Egypt high in the 2024 Paralympics.
‘Never lose hope’
She has it all: charisma, optimism and a ready smile. Rahma Khaled wants to be the first broadcaster with Down syndrome. She also defends the rights of people with special needs and she is working hard to dispel misconceptions about them.
Rahma is quite a sportsperson. She is an excellent swimmer. She plays tennis and basketball, for which she has won 150 medals (gold, silver and bronze) including seven international awards.
Rahma, who also spoke to President Sisi on the celebration, said people should never give up on their dreams.
“I want to tell my differently-abled friends to be optimistic. Don’t let anything get you down,” she said.
Robust strategy
At the end of the celebration, President Sisi announced a five-point strategy with special programmes and activities laid on by sporting and youth organisations for people of determination.
The president also told the government to work on the empowerment of people of determination and integrate them into all national projects and initiatives.
The presidential rural development initiative ‘Decent Life’ should involve differently-abled people. Another part of the programme will train teachers in helping these individuals express themselves in various media to highlight their abilities and creativity.
