Right here’s to the ladies of Particular Olympics!

Extraordinary and gifted ladies worldwide are forging change. At Particular Olympics Asia Pacific, we’re surrounded by ladies of grit who smash stereotypes and break biases on daily basis to guide, encourage and convey about a lot wanted change.

Meet these distinctive ladies who’ve been advocating for change, to create a extra accepting and inclusive world for all.

Aliyah Hidayah – Taking what I must be the girl I need to be 

Aliyah wears many hats: enterprising scholar, lively volunteer, and youth advocate.

Presently finishing her diploma in frequent engineering, Aliyah has been actively engaged with Particular Olympics Singapore since 2015 when she was launched to the Badminton Outreach Program and Younger Athletes Program.

When she realized the low degree of societal consciousness of the struggles confronted by individuals with mental disabilities, Aliyah was decided to do her half to assist finish discrimination in the direction of individuals with mental disabilities.

Aliyah has not at all times been this assured and outspoken, the truth is, she by no means thought she might be a pacesetter. “The athletes of Particular Olympics have helped me discover my voice, my confidence, and my management skills. The fortitude and pleasure I’ve skilled have been indescribable. I’ve grow to be a greater participant, higher chief, higher individual, and I pledge to do all I can to finish injustice, and to do my half to supply extra alternatives for individuals with disabilities to shine in all points of their lives.”

Navjot & Rekha – Making a distinction

Meet Navjot and Rekha, particular educators in India who volunteer with the Particular Olympics Younger Athletes program—an early intervention sport and play program for kids with and with out mental disabilities.

Over the previous 6 years, they’ve traveled throughout Punjab, going door to door to succeed in out to numerous dad and mom to emphasize the significance of conserving youngsters engaged in sport and play.

Their inspiring tales of watching youngsters with mental disabilities not simply progress, however blossom with confidence sends a transparent message, “Don’t conceal your particular youngsters. Be pleased with them, not ashamed.”

Though they’ve had individuals flip them away, or households asking them for cash in alternate for his or her youngsters attending their program, they refuse to surrender. “Folks ask us, why we select to do what we do. Our reply is straightforward: Each little one deserves an opportunity and a head begin in life, regardless of their skill.”

Jasmine Sharif – Everybody deserves dignity and respect 

Jasmine Sharif is an athlete with Sotos Syndrome. She has been advocating for the rights of individuals with mental disabilities in her residence nation of Pakistan, in addition to globally.

Her journey with Particular Olympics started as a swimmer, competing on the Particular Olympics World Video games held in China and the Regional Asia Pacific Video games in Australia. Most lately, she competed within the 2019 World Video games held in Abu Dhabi, the place she received a bronze medal for swimming.

Main by instance, she now guides different athletes as an assistant coach in Particular Olympics Pakistan. She travels the world, talking concerning the significance of inclusion. She strives to continually enhance herself by studying new abilities past sports activities, incomes herself a qualification in graphic design.

Right here’s to robust ladies, could we be them, elevate them and know them. Collectively, there are not any limits to what we are able to accomplish. Human Race applauds these extraordinary ladies who’ve imagined a brighter and kinder future for all of us!

To be taught extra concerning the journeys of those spectacular ladies and what they stand for, comply with our socials: @humanraceasia & @soasiapacific.