The Hopeless Lot! Reply

The Hopeless Lot!

First Posted January 5th 2010!

Some days back I was invited to one friend’s house for Dinner and I was commenting on the first class show put up for the Official Opening Ceremony of The Muscat Festival. I could see their detached and forlorn looks as if they had been to the Dentist, and wanted it all over. So I queried – what gives? They looked at each other in blank stares, and I could see that they were trying hard to remain diplomatic and tactful, and could see that ’sharp to the point crude reply’ was being kept at bay.

Then they asked me – before we answer we want to ask you a question. Can we? I replied – please go ahead and fire away! I am not sure if that was what I said, sometimes I like to use – shoot! Hopefully one day one will not take it at its literal meaning, and really do the shooting! If that would happen, I guess I will have no one to blame except myself for volunteering it myself!

But seriously though, they went on to ask me how come that I am supposed to be a weekly columnist, and they have not seen anything that I write on the recent price rises and peoples like them (unfortunate and miserable were the adjectives used!), who faced the greatest pinch and hardships of just starting with their married lives were the hardest hit lot with rising rent hikes. They said the rents went even more than the so-called limit that was set, with an ultimatum of ‘take it or leave it’ syndrome!

And yes – you have the guts to ask why we seem so interested not to watch the show? Perhaps did you not think that we could not even afford to go to see the shows, we are not just talking about gate fees but you know the ‘temptation thing to buy something when we go in’? So I had the dinner and left Madam to deal with her relatives, whilst I made an early and quick escape. I guess even for a person who likes his food well, I did not find that particular meal as that refreshing and appetizing.

*****************************************************************************************************************

After my last article, which was titled At Your Service, I got many angry and upset emails from some young Omanis especially. One works in the Marketing field, another in Insurance and Investment. I picked these two as the best of the lot, the most acrimonious upset and angrier lot. I am repeating them as sent, of course without revealing the identities, so here goes anyway!

(From A) – Tell me about it! (Sad caricature!) – Your article this week M – It is very discouraging and makes me mad pissed off angry! My boss is an Expatriate and his boss is also an Expatriate, they treat us very bad. After several years of getting Superior Performance in my Staff Appraisals, this year I got just Satisfactory. I didn’t panic or anything cuz my sister just passed away and I was sick for a long time – and I was like “what will I gain from the Top Grading, I will die one day”.

But then I said to myself, I worked hard for this grade, I gave my time and energy for this place and now I have to accept the lower grading??!! Then I went to the big people and told them about it. You know I think it’s a useless case. Honestly I am tired of this place; the only thing that makes me stay here is my parent’s house mortgage – as I don’t want it to be closed. If I am getting nothing in my own country I might as well get nothing outside. The problem is that people here won’t change, and they will continue to give more power to Expatriates cuz they don’t trust their own people.

All people in my age would rather leave their country and be somewhere else. We need someone to hear us. One day I dreamt that I am screaming “help” to my Omani boss and the Expatriate boss was laughing at me (it was some nightmare) …I know I am quite capable of so many things. People tell me to get married and have kids and settle. Surprisingly this is not what is happening nowadays. In today’s life people those who get married and have kids won’t settle down, they will need to get a second job to be able to live. Life is more expensive; women who get married now need at least a salary of 1000 OMR to be able to spend over their kids. I am single and live alone, I have no responsibilities whatsoever except going to work.

However, my salary is not enough when I have to pay the bills and put food on the table, how about if I got married and have kids. It’s a disaster. P.S: the Expatriate manager takes (big amount) salary and still wears cheap everyday same clothes for the last 10 years – (so disgusting and out of fashion too). Man as I said it’s a useless case. Don’t ever think that it will change and people will start appreciating you or sponsoring your book, unless you write a book about how great they are (smiling caricature). Please write about me and all the young people in Oman who can’t scream “help” – not even in a nightmare!

From B – Keep up the good works, people like you M make the world go around. You make us all sit up and take notice! You make us to think! Hey, you are saying the truth here! Sad some of the Management are so slow to appreciate talents and skills like you have.

We need peoples like you – who can come out in the open, and stand counted. But I am also afraid – very afraid! I guess if it was for the Expatriate, it would get a big cover and be supported by everyone! It is a BIG disappointment really. I was interviewed by one Executive (Ex Expatriate now Omani) now, and he was sniggering when we said – You know we Omanis..

Then I asked him We? He said Yes I am Omani and here is my Passport (pulled out from his draw). Who asked him?? And why he wants to show it off? I have nothing personal against them being Omanis. But the Expatriate Mafia have controlled our country for so long now. Something gotta give soon. That scares me, with everyone is so sad and unhappy – that we sometimes hate Saturdays are back and return to work! Your article captures it all! And the Omani bosses. They are all concerned just about themselves, their status and positions, and will never rock the boat. Not for anyone!

*****************************************************************************************************************

Do I need to say anymore? I think it is QED!

The youth are saying it – again – and we need to open our ears and hear, open our eyes and see, and open our mouths to speak – Take Care!

First Posted (Imagine!) January 5, 2010!

Broken Glass – Drawing by Raadheesh

  

END

Please Help To Support Our Children! The Autism & Special Needs Children! Reply

Please Help To Support Our Children! Our Autism & Special Needs Children!

June 12, 2016

A The Television Cartoon Series – Dubai – UAE!

Abû Hurayrah relates that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever removes one of the hardships of a believing soul, Allah will remove from him one of the distresses on the Hereafter.

Whoever solves someone else’s problem, Allah will make things easy for him in this world and the Hereafter… Allah is ever assisting His servant as long as that servant is helping his brother.” [Sahîh Muslim (4867)]

I was watching these cartoon TV programmes beamed by Dubai Sama TV and they are always my Top Watchers – especially in The Holy Month of Ramadhan Fasting! By Fanar Productions, a leading production company specialized in animated content, and Etisalat, the main sponsor of the seventh season of Shaabiat Al Cartoon.

Haider Mohammed is the creator of the cartoon series Shaabiat Al Cartoon in Dubai UAE! From humble beginnings in his cartoons – he is now a famous and well-to-do UAE personality! That all comes from The Dubai Ruler personal involvement to see UAE talents are encouraged and promoted with material support and assistance – something we can all learn here!

Shaabiat, a word that means “rural neighbourhood” in Arabic, follows the lives of a group of families and individuals living in a small Dubai neighbourhood. There are 24 characters from countries throughout Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Each episode focuses on different individuals and their quirky troubles.

At the centre of the series, acting as anchors, however, are the characters Shambee and Bo Mhayer. The duo follow the tradition of all great comedy partners: they are from different sides of life but need one another to make sense of the world.

Shambee could be the Emirati equivalent of the TV show Married With Children’s classic crank Al Bundy (who was played by US actor Ed O’Neill). Middle-class and disenchanted by his marital life, he is perpetually in search of respect but often falls short of winning it due to his dim-witted ways.
Bo Mhayer is a true Bedouin: his rugged views are formed by the tough lessons of the desert, leaving him both confused by and slightly distrustful of Dubai.

B The Messenger (Facebook) Message!

The Message came from a good friend asking me why I was not writing anymore my columns in The Oman Daily Observer – Between Us Only! Also At My Workplace! The columns were killed off in August 2014 by more a ‘technical hitch’ per se than anything else.

I told the guy I have my websites where I now put in my articles and about my books – but that too I have now given up seeing there is no material support nor assistance – but just pain, heartaches and the feelings of being let down, betrayal and wasted efforts and loyalties – and instead getting beatings and fear – and so much hurt and pain – that even I actually cry sometimes by what is happening to me now!

See my Posts in Social Media recently – Feeling so sad today – even if it is my Birthday! Feeling very sick and still ailing in life!

So he beseeches me to continue writing – and do it as a good deed in my life to get good deeds from Allah God – for ‘positively highlighting social issues that need more care and attention in The Society – even if the monetary and other support are missing – and you feel left out open in the cold – not only not recognized but also facing extreme hardships and difficulties – and even if people have short memories about you and your achievements (the Dubai Fanar Story!) – but they may have longer memories for other things!

Then he pleads to me – via Messenger – Please write about Special Children – Down Syndrome and Autism – I have a Special Child – she is having Down Syndrome – and I gave up everything in my life to try to give her a normal life and against all odds! It is a wonderful experience even if painful – and here they are now (slowly being) accepted and inter reacting with nature (and Society)!

Last few years back I wrote a personal letter for one friend to a British CEO – where he was facing termination for being habitually late – because he too had a child with severe bouts of Down Syndrome! Whether we like to accept it or not – but these Europeans (Americans) are More Muslim than what we propagate to be – because the CEO was more understanding and compassionate than our own – sadly and tragically too!

So let us all learn a bit here! So hopefully there could be more acceptance, kindness, forgiveness, compassion and understanding – especially in this Holy Month of Fasting of Ramadhan! You can always get more information and details in The Social Media!

Last few months back – we were invited to one family and saw how they were scolding their child with Down Syndrome because the boy spilt some juice on their new carpet new hose! It hurt me so much – and left early from the place!

This may shock you! Please do visit!

http://www.disabled-world.com/health/neurology/autism/famous-autistic.php

AUTISM

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by social-interaction difficulties, communication challenges and a tendency to engage in repetitive behaviors. However, symptoms and their severity vary widely across these three core areas. Taken together, they may result in relatively mild challenges for someone on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum. For others, symptoms may be more severe, as when repetitive behaviors and lack of spoken language interfere with everyday life.

As illustrated by the graph on the left, the basic symptoms of autism are often accompanied other medical conditions and challenges. These, too, can vary widely in severity.

Autism 4

While autism is usually a life-long condition, all children and adults benefit from interventions, or therapies, that can reduce symptoms and increase skills and abilities. Although it is best to begin intervention as soon as possible, the benefits of therapy can continue throughout life.
Did you know that …

• Autism now affects 1 in 68 children and 1 in 42 boys
• Autism prevalence figures are growing
• Autism is one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the U.S.
• Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average
• Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism
• There is no medical detection or cure for autism
National Institutes of Health Funds Allocation
• Total 2012 NIH budget: $30.86 billion
• Of this, only $169 million goes directly to autism research. This represents 0.55% of total NIH funding.

***

SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN!

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of children with Down syndrome who are being diagnosed as having autism or autistic spectrum disorder. These children are then referred to as having a ‘dual diagnosis’ i.e. two co-existing conditions.

However, it is not easy to diagnose autism in children who already have a learning disability and there is not clear agreement on the numbers of children with Down syndrome who do have autism or features of autism. Some authors argue that the diagnosis is missed because children with Down syndrome are thought to be sociable and, if this is true, some children and their families could be missing out on treatment and services they might benefit from.

Others are concerned that there may be a tendency to over-diagnose autism in children with Down syndrome. This could lead to changed and lowered expectations for children’s progress as well as distress for families.

One Term, Many Definitions:

“Special Needs” is an umbrella underneath which a staggering array of diagnoses can be wedged. Children with special needs may have mild learning disabilities or profound cognitive impairment; food allergies or terminal illness; developmental delays that catch up quickly or remain entrenched; occasional panic attacks or serious psychiatric problems. The designation is useful for getting needed services, setting appropriate goals, and gaining understanding for a child and stressed family.

Minuses and Pluses:

“Special needs” are commonly defined by what a child can’t do – by milestones unmet, foods banned, activities avoided, experiences denied. These minuses hit families hard, and may make “special needs” seem like a tragic designation. Some parents will always mourn their child’s lost potential, and many conditions become more troubling with time. Other families may find that their child’s challenges make triumphs sweeter, and that weaknesses are often accompanied by amazing strengths.

Different Concerns:

Pick any two families of children with special needs, and they may seem to have little in common. A family dealing with developmental delays will have different concerns than one dealing with chronic illness, which will have different concerns than one dealing with mental illness or learning problems or behavioral challenges.

Medical Issues:

Medical issues for children include serious conditions like cancer and heart defects, muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis; chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes; congenital conditions like cerebral palsy and dwarfism; and health threats like food allergies and obesity.

Children with medical issues may require numerous tests, long hospital stays, expensive equipment, and accommodations for disabilities. Their families have to deal with frequent crises, uncertainty, and worry.

Behavior Issues:

Children with behavior issues don’t respond to traditional discipline. With diagnoses like ADHD, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Dysfunction of Sensory Integration, and Tourette Syndrome, they require specialized strategies that are tailored to their specific abilities and disabilities.

If those strategies are not developed and used, kids with behavior issues throw their families into chaos and are seriously at risk for school problems. Their parents need to be flexible and creative.

Developmental Issues:

Developmental disabilities are some of the most devestating for a family to deal with, changing visions of the future and providing immediate difficulties in caring for and educating a child. Diagnoses like autism, Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities often cause children to be removed from the mainstream, and parents must be fierce advocates to make sure their children receive the services, therapy, schooling, and inclusion they need and deserve.

Learning Issues:

Children with learning disabilities like dyslexia and Central Auditory Processing Disorder struggle with schoolwork regardless of their intellectual abilities. They require specialized learning strategies to meet their potential and avoid self-esteem problems and behavioral difficulties. Parents of learning-challenged kids need to be persistent both in working with their reluctant learners and with the schools that must provide the help these children need.

Mental Health Issues:

A child’s problems with anxiety or depression can sneak up on parents; problems withattachment may smack them right in the face. Living with a child with mental health issues can put family members on a roller coaster of mood swings and crises and defiance. Parents have to find the right professionals to help, and make hard decisions about therapy, medications, and hospitalization. The consequences of missed clues and wrong guesses can be significant.

Common Concerns:

Although every special-needs child is different and every family is unique, there are some common concerns that link parents of challenged kids, including getting appropriate care and accommodations; promoting acceptance in the extended family, school and community; planning for an uncertain future; and adjusting routines and expectations.

Parents of children with special needs are often more flexible, compassionate, stubborn and resilient than other parents. They have to be.

OMAN NGOs Societies

• Dar Al Atta
• Reach Out Oman
• Oman Down Syndrome Association
• Oman Autism Society
http://omanobserver.om/they-too-deserve-our-love-and-care/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ramadhan-kareem-holy-month-mercy-kindness-humanity-majid-al-suleimany?trk=hp-feed-article-title-publish
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/feeling-so-sad-today-even-my-birthday-majid-al-suleimany
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/open-message-pensioners-retirees-majid-al-suleimany?trk=hp-feed-article-title-publish
• Etc.

Following Assorted Images!

Please also drive more carefully this Holy Month of Fasting of Ramadhan.

Please visit my http://www.bethesafedriver.com and http://www.myownmajid.com

Ramadhan Kareem!

Best Regards,

Majid Al Suleimany

AAAA

Autism 1

Autism 2

Autism 3

Autism 4

Autism 5

DS 1

BBBB

SN 2

SN 3

SN 4

SN 5

SN 6

SN 7

FAWAR IMAGES

Fawar 1

Fawar 3

fawar

END