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Families with disabled children from across the Gulf are making special journeys to introduce themselves to inspirational shop assistant and TV personality Lamees bu Hussain ... a young Bahraini with Down's syndrome who proves that where there is a will, there is a way.
The 23-year-old has blossomed and grown in confidence so much working at The One furniture and lifestyle store over the past five months that her family is considering helping her to open her own outlet.
Her sunny disposition and friendly demeanour is proving a hit with shoppers with many singling her out when they are looking for assistance. Jan Savage, store administrator, said: "We love having Lamees here. She is gaining more confidence each day on the shop floor because she is very sociable.
"We have women from Saudi, for example, who come to our store simply to see her because she is such an inspiration to them.
"Families with disabled children particularly like meeting Lamees. She is an absolute pleasure and we will have her in the team for as long as she wants."
Bubbly Lamees joined The One Bahrain workforce in Al A'ali Shopping Complex on March 21 - World Down's Syndrome Day.
Down's syndrome is the result of being born with an extra copy of chromosome 21. Even though people with it may have some physical and mental features in common, symptoms can range from mild to severe. Usually, mental development and physical development are slower in people with the condition than in those without it. The chance of having a baby with it increases as a woman gets older. Down's syndrome cannot be cured. However, many people with the syndrome live productive lives well into adulthood, as Lameees is proving.
"I'm happy," said Lamees, "and love coming to work."
In her role as a part-time sales assistant she helps her colleagues with the pricing of accessories and is in charge of ensuring that the bed section is always neat and tidy.
"Lamees' sparkling personality caught our attention from the very start. Her cheerful enthusiasm and wonderful smile are just what we need on the shop floor," said Ali Hussain, the store's country operations manager.
When Lamees bu Hussain was born, the youngest of 12 children, she was enveloped in the warmth and love of a strong and united family. But, there was no hiding from the fact that she would face different challenges than her siblings because she was born with Down's syndrome.
Her mother Wedad and father Mansoor felt it important that from an early age she should be encouraged to be as independent as possible.
Although people would impolitely stop and stare at her as she grew up in Sitra the close-knit strength she gained from her parents, brothers and sisters allowed the young woman to blossom and face the future with confidence.
Wedad said: "When she was born I was worried about her. I was concerned about how she would cope with the outside world and the way she would be looked upon and treated.
"I made the decision then that I would not treat her any differently than her siblings and I believe that has helped her. She constantly wants to learn all the time. Lamees is so ambitious and friendly."
Mansoor, 70, a retired BAPCO employee who now runs retail and real estate businesses, has also been supportive. But it's Lamees' own true grit and determination to succeed that has helped her secure a part-time position on the shop floor at the busy store The One and make appearances in a popular television series.
Layla, her sister, explained: "I find that this opportunity has really helped her evolve. She is a lot more confident and is even more eager now to learn than ever before. She went through such a hard time growing up.
"People would stare at her in a way that made her feel very self conscious about her appearance. She would ask us all the time, why are they looking at me? Is something wrong with me?
"Now people look at her in a different way - people specifically come to the mall to see her and chat with her. Everyone at the mall knows her so I don't need to worry about her - she is well taken care of.
"We have met many families with Down's syndrome children and a lot of them have cried to us about it. Then they meet Lamees and they have hope again because they see how independent she can be.
"We always tell these families not to fret as their children are completely normal and just don't treat them differently than the others or they will feel it. That is what my mother, bless her, did. Although she feared for Lamees's future at the beginning she continued to treat her normally.
"Lamees makes her own bed as we all do and cleans after herself as we do. The only thing she lacks is a formal education and it sometimes bothers me that she doesn't really have that.
"I was a teacher and I am teaching her whatever I can. I love to see that light in her eyes when she learns something new. She is a very smart girl, talented and driven. She asks a lot of questions, always wants to learn, wants to go to university and now she even wants to learn to drive.
"We see Lamees as a talented individual and we encourage families that have children with Down's to keep their head up. For onlookers, please be aware that they are human beings just like you and I ... so do not stare!"
The One's chief executive officer, Thomas Lundgren, who believes his role is also one of 'creative emotional originator', added: "We believe employing those with challenges fosters better understanding and greater social integration.
"In our experience, these individuals have a tremendous amount to offer, inspiring staff and customers alike. They also gain an increased sense of purpose, empowerment, independence and an income. It's a win-win situation. That's why we're aiming for five per cent of our staff to consist of challenged employees by the year 2012."
In 2007, Lamees joined the popular Ramadan TV series Bela Rahma (Without Mercy) after being discovered at the Bahrain Down's Syndrome Care Centre in Adliya by actress Zainab Al Askari.
Originally, her part did not include any lines but her eagerness soon landed her a mini script and she shot to fame.
Today, Lamees is still stopped in the streets and at shopping malls to be told what an inspiration she continues to be. Layla said: "When Lamees acted in the series, viewers did not expect her to know how to talk as that was one of the misconceptions people usually have of those with Down's.
"She stunned everyone with her abilities and although she only had a few small lines it still broke the stereotypical barriers.
"This is why the media is important, in my opinion, because it shows the public who they really are and that is funny, sociable, friendly, honest and loving individuals.
"If you show them love and respect they will treat you with the same and shine."
Lamees also became a star athlete after training at the centre, winning a silver medal in running and a bronze in shot-put at the 2007 Special Olympics in China. She continues to train in the hope of being selected for the next tournament in Greece.
And her burgeoning career in retail may soon get a boost too. Layla added: "With all her work at The One and all the other steps she has taken, I think its time Lamees started her own project and was thinking of opening a store for her in A'ali mall, since everyone knows her there.
"She has learned so much from working at The One. She is more confident and not as shy - not to say she was ever really shy - but I think she is more than capable to manage her own shop - perhaps accessories as that's what she loves. She is a girly-girl indeed."
