Right here’s to the ladies of Particular Olympics!

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

Meet these distinctive girls 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 wish to be 

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

Presently finishing her diploma in widespread 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 stage of societal consciousness of the struggles confronted by folks with mental disabilities, Aliyah was decided to do her half to assist finish discrimination in the direction of folks with mental disabilities.

Aliyah has not all the time been this assured and outspoken, in actual fact, she by no means thought she might be a frontrunner. “The athletes of Particular Olympics have helped me discover my voice, my confidence, and my management talents. The fortitude and pleasure I’ve skilled have been indescribable. I’ve change into a greater participant, higher chief, higher particular person, and I pledge to do all I can to finish injustice, and to do my half to offer extra alternatives for folks with disabilities to shine in all facets 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 youngsters 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 protecting 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 cover your particular youngsters. Be pleased with them, not ashamed.”

Though they’ve had folks flip them away, or households asking them for cash in change 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 easy: Each baby deserves an opportunity and a head begin in life, irrespective of their capacity.”

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 just 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 always enhance herself by studying new abilities past sports activities, incomes herself a qualification in graphic design.

Right here’s to robust girls, might 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 girls who’ve imagined a brighter and kinder future for all of us!

To study extra concerning the journeys of those spectacular girls and what they stand for, observe our socials: @humanraceasia & @soasiapacific.