In the eve of 1988, Dr. Sadika A. Al-Awadi, a Kuwaiti lady doctor submitted a nine-year-long MD study of the medical genetics problems in her native country to the University College Dublin. The most monumental part of her analytical research concentrated on the genetical problem that was dearest to her. The dedication on her study read:

"To my sincere son Omer, with 47,XY, +21 karyotype who stimulated me to pursue my career as a clinical geneticist interested in the prevention of genetic problems in my country and in other countries"

 Prof. Der Kaloustian (McGill), an elegant WHO representative

with Dr. Sadika and KMGC staff

In 1998, ten years after her MD submission, Dr. Al-Awadi [MD, FRCP(Edin)] reflects in the first issue of The Ambassadors on her experience in raising her son with Down Syndrome, the challenges of these circumstances, and the motivations it had on her and Omer.

My blessed son Omer was born the day of the 15th of September 1975, and what a dramatic moment it was. He joined a family of two loving parents and two brothers Abdulla and Ahmed, who were 5 and 2 years old respectively.

From the time of his delivery, Omer's uniqueness was recognizable, and upon diagnosis the baby was found to be hypotonic with the clinical features of Down Syndrome. Karyotyping his chromosomes at London's Hospital for Sick Children confirmed, much to my distress, Down Syndrome as a final diagnosis. We were informed of the results of the diagnosis and it was explained to us that Omer's case was one of trisomy-21 due to a new mutation.

I tolerated the overwhelming burden of my dismay and decided to dedicate my life to my youngest son's development and progress. Omer seemed to respond positively to all stimulation from the world around him. He learned to sit at the age of 8 months, swam only 18 months following his birth, and by his 2nd year, Omer could stand upright. And he was already walking before the end of his second year. His improvement at the time astounded me, and I was stunned to see such monumental progress in Omer's circumstances. However, his progress would not have been this dramatic without the extensive physiotherapy sessions 3 times a week, and full attention stimulators all though the day. With speech therapy commencing at the age of three, Omer slowly started to pick up the essentials of spoken language and was already comprehending words.

 I firmly believe that Omer was perhaps the most motivating factor behind my interest in establishing the Kuwait Medical Genetics Centre in 1979. Its earliest activities included parents gathering to talk about Down Syndrome and its causes, where to seek assistance, their children's integration into the education system, and their possibilities for the future. This was not only a first-time activity in Kuwait but was extremely motivating for the parents including myself. Eventually, following great efforts on part of the parents of Down Syndrome children, they succeeded in convincing the Ministry of Education to integrate D.S. children into normal Kindergarten classes in 1980.

As time passed, and Omer grew, I was glad to see him complete three years in a normal Kindergarten class with the assistance of a special home teacher in reading and writing. In addition, I watched my beloved son develop an affinity for sports where he joined the Karate Sports Club, learned to ride on a tricycle, and soon became a capable swimmer by age 5.

But navigating Omer through the education system was as easy of a task. He started to take special classes at normal schools in the primary level after long discussions with the Ministry of Education. Omer ended up spending 2 years at every level in the normal education system.

Omer playing the keyboard  

But perhaps the event with the most drastic effect on our lives and Omer's was the surprising and devastating Gulf crisis in August of 1990. At the time, Omer had just completed his 15th birthday and we resided in England, far from the conflict. During that period, Omer attended Park School in Woking Surrey for a year where he excelled in special sports and was able to grasp a basic idea of the English language, something he hadn't been exposed to previously. The relocation in England was a difficult transition for both ourselves and Omer. But soon enough we were back in Kuwait following the liberation of Kuwait in 1991 where Omer enrolled in a school for special needs.

 Omer has his driver's license

Omer has always shown potential for special artistic skills. But this became evident upon our arrival in Kuwait, where he started to learn and train to play on the electronic keyboard (see photo). More assistance was given to Omer and other D.S. sons and daughters following the liberation with the establishment of the Down Syndrome Parents League. This group met on a biweekly basis to discuss all issues regarding their sons and daughters' well-being.

During this period, Omer quickly refined his skills in music, playing many popular and classical Arabic tunes and often mesmerizing visitors with his talent. He also recently passed his driving test and has a certified valid driving liscence (see photo) and is a perceptive photographer.With the aid of the intense swim-training sessions, Omer can do more than 20 laps in an Olympic-size swimming pool, an amazing achievement for a young man with his special ailment.

Omer is talented in picture photography

Now a gentleman at the age of 23, Omer has completed his special school diploma in June of 1997. He also started his full-time employment working in a special sheltered workshop producing silk printing material where he is earning his own monthly salary. The project is run by the Ministry of Social Welfare.

Twenty-three years of hard work has definitely paid off, as Omer has become a very pleasant young man; very active, sincere, and self-dependent, showing signs of leadership and intuition. 

  Photo: Omer Al-Awadi

Prof. J A Raeburn (Nottingham) and Prof. C O Ward (Dublin) with

His Excellency Dr. Abdel Rahman Al-Awadi and the KMGC staff

Dr. Sadika Al-Awadi

Director, Kuwait Medical Genetics Centre