Family hope for games chance

Shafiee was born in 1975 with Down syndrome, which is a chromosomal condition characterised by the presence of an extra copy of genetic material on the 21st chromosome. The effects and extent of the extra copy vary greatly among people, depending on genetic history and pure chance.

The incidence of Down syndrome is estimated at 1 per 733 births, although it is statistically more common with older parents. Often it is associated with some impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth, and a particular set of facial characteristics.

Individuals with Down syndrome tend to have a lower-than-average cognitive ability, often ranging from mild to moderate disabilities.

Many children with the syndrome who have received family support, enrichment therapies, and tutoring have been known to graduate from high school and college, and enjoy employment in the work force.

The average IQ of children with Down syndrome is around 50, compared to normal children with an IQ of 100. A small number have a severe to high degree of intellectual disability.

Shafiee is much-loved by his family and his brother Mohammed, 50, and sisters Marokh, 46, Meena 42, have always been supportive in an environment that has proved challenging at times.

Meena, superintendent for follow-up and planning at the Ministry of Labour, said: "Shafiee was a very quiet child. He always kept to himself and that is understandable as he was often teased and ridiculed by other children. We used to live in Gufool and that was such a difficult time for him and the family. You know how children can be hurtful.

"Our late father, Akbar, worked at Bapco and the family was able to move to Awali.

"My mother, Sharifa, was a teacher at a government school. She quit and stayed at home to offer Shafiee constant care and attention. Eventually he began to flourish.

"We lived in a wonderful community which was accepting and did not judge him on appearance. Shafiee was schooled in Awali with the help of an expat teacher and my mother would go with him every day as he could not be without her."

At the age of nine, Shafiee was able to make his bed and carry out his chores like other members of the family.

When the family moved to Riffa, a neighbour Fawzia Zainal, a teacher at the Hope Institute For Special Education, suggested Shafiee enrol.

Proud mum Sharifa explained: "Everyday I would get on the bus and go to school with him. I would sit next to him in class as he refused to be on his own.

But after a week or so, I was getting on the bus with him when he stopped me and said 'Mama it's OK - I can go on my own now'.

"I smiled, hugged him and watched the bus drive off. I thanked God for helping him to become more independent and was very proud of my boy."

His confidence grew and he then started making friends. As an active teenager he started to play bocce and basketball. He then joined the Special Olympics team under the guidance of Wafika Khalil Jamal.

Shafiee still trains twice a week at the school before any major tournaments. Meena said: "I went with him to the games in Syria. After securing the gold medals he was interviewed on TV and that was the defining moment for us as we saw how confident and independent he truly was. We were all so proud of him.

"When he returned to Bahrain he was greeted by many family members and friends cheering him on and congratulating him on his win. He was like a hero among his peers. Hopefully P&G Gulf will raise enough funds and he will be able to compete in Athens."

If you wish to support Shafiee and Bahrain's other Special Olympic contenders pop to your local store and snap up one of the special products or contact Mohammed Al Matooq, national director, on 39464727 to make a pledge.