(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) A young man with Down syndrome who grew up in the UAE, opened his own business in his home country recently, making an inspiring example for other people of determination.
Malik Sarhan became the first member of the UAE Down Syndrome Association to open his own DIDI restaurant that serves sandwiches, pastries and Arabic snacks, in Jordan's capital of Amman.
Working at the restaurant through the morning or afternoon shifts, 19-year-old Sarhan greets visitors with a smile and insists on making their sandwiches himself, without assistance. His mother Wedad Malhas said the idea of the restaurant was to make her son independent and confident. "When we came back to Jordan after retirement, Sarhan spent his days at home either eating, watching TV or playing video games. He grew up in the UAE, so he had no friends in Jordan," said Wedad.
To get him to socialise with people and become financially independent, the restaurant opened to the public in August, after months of preparation. "I told him that as a man, he had to work and earn his own money like anyone else and since he loves sandwiches, we came up with this idea," noted Wedad, who co-manages the restaurant with her son and another employee.
Malik's self-esteem and confidence has grown since he feels he's part of society now. Wedad also said that people's responses to him were "incredibly beautiful".
"Many people come in and insist that Malik makes their sandwiches himself," she said. "People love the idea that someone with Down syndrome is managing the restaurant, and they accepted him."
How the UAE supported Sarhan's growth Growing up in the UAE, Sarhan received his rehabilitation and early intervention here. Wedad said he was enrolled at Sharjah's Early Intervention Center that also allowed her to volunteer in educating and training adults with mental disabilities.
"For parents like us, having a child with Down Syndrome, a condition you know nothing about is difficult. The different facilities in the UAE helped guide me through Sarhan's condition from the start, until he grew up," said Wedad. She pointed out that that awareness about people of determination and their rights has grown in the UAE over the past few years. "The support has dramatically grown and I'm a witness to it. The UAE Down Syndrome Association started with a small group of people who, with the government's support, opened a big centre."
Given people's welcoming reactions to Malik, Wedad said she is happy the community is becoming aware of the differently-abled, noting that he acted as an inspiration to families of other people of determination.
Now, Malik aims to continue working and save money for his leisure activities and future wedding. "He's just like any other man who wants to marry and settle down, and I will support him throughout," his mother said. She urged families to get their children out and integrate them in society. "They're capable and have a lot of potential."
Sherouk Zakaria "Born and raised in UAE, Sherouk Zakaria is a Senior Correspondent at Khaleej Times. Joined since May 2016, she covers Dubai Municipality, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), special events and humanitarian issues. Her choice of journalism as a career stems from her passion of telling people's stories and writing to inspire or make a difference. In her free time, she's an occasional theater and film actress. Sherouk received her BA in Mass Communications from the American University in Sharjah in 2013. Before joining Khaleej Times, she was a senior lifestyle/entertainment editor for a magazine in Dubai."
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