The amazing mom behind the blog and Facebook page “Mother of a Challenged Kid” started a new initiative to provide safe play areas that suit differently abled children. “Challenged kids deserve to have fun; they spend continuous hours in therapy sessions and miss out on their childhood,” she says.
“Being a mother of a challenged kid, I realized that they don’t have that many facilities or play areas that fit their needs.” Rola made it her mission to add some fun and joy to every challenged kid’s life. “I pitched the idea to a friend and he liked it a lot. So we started researching the proper dimensions for slides and swings suitable for a challenged kid, and we started with the prototype,” she says.
“No one thinks of the differently abled children in Egypt, because we don’t often see them on the street, in cinemas or even at parks”
The play area is almost done, and will soon open at El Gezira Sporting Club. “Our next plan is to pitch the idea to government agencies, because we need more of these play areas in malls, sporting clubs, and residential compounds,” she says.
If you are thinking a play area for challenged kids is completely different than any other kids’ area, well think again. “ What really bothered me is that we made very minor changes to the slides and swings that already exist. For example, we made the slides wider to fit a wheelchair, and for parents to ride with their kids. These minor modifications will make the kids’ lives a lot happier,” she says.
“Challenged kids deserve to have fun; they spend continuous hours in therapy sessions and miss out on their childhood”
Why has it taken so long for someone to think of the challenged children in Egypt? “No one thinks of the differently abled children in Egypt, because we don’t often see them on the street, in cinemas or even at parks. Parents of challenged children drain themselves and their kids in therapy sessions, or, unfortunately, some parents hide them out of shame,” she says.
Rola encourages parents to take their special needs children out and explain to people their conditions, and embrace the fact that they are unique. “I hope this project encourages more people to start thinking of the challenged children in Egypt, and think of more initiatives that will benefit them, like properly equipped rehabilitation centers,” she adds.