October 21, 2014 -- As part of its vision to provide
children with special needs with proper education, empowerment, and best
medical care in order to lead a fulfilling and happy life, the OpenMinds Fund and the AUBMC Special Kids Clinics collaborated to renovate two floors
dedicated to children with special needs, ages 12 to 19 years, at the Lebanese
Evangelical School in Loueizeh (LES). The renovated floors are currently
hosting 18 students and are expected to host 18 others in the near future.
Dr. Rose-Mary Boustany, Director
of the AUBMC Special Kids Clinic, and a committed group of dedicated volunteers
led by Mrs. Ghida Rabbat brought their vision forward and played a significant
role in bringing it to fruition. Very few schools in Lebanon and the region
have embraced children with special needs during the past years, and LES has
been a pioneer in that regards. The OpenMinds Fund members and AUBMC believe
that more effort must be exerted in order to raise awareness and spread
knowledge through education around important issues related to children with
special needs. “AUBMC is also committed
to investing in research to make advancements in the treatment of conditions
affecting children with special needs,” said Dr. Ghazzal. In addition, the Special Kids Clinics at
AUBMC, offers its children expert diagnostic, medical care and a
multidisciplinary approach of physical, occupational, psychomotor, speech,
feeding and Applied Behavior Analysis which cater to treatment of children with
autism, birth injury and premature birth and neurogenetic disorders.
“Such an accomplishment will lead these kids
to meet the expectations of OpenMinds Fund - AUBMC Special Kids Clinic and make it possible for them to
integrate fully into their social environment by growing into knowledgeable
citizens who are able to serve their community,” said Mrs. Ghida Rabbat,
president of OpenMinds. Principal Steve White of LES best captured the spirit
of the event by claiming, “We are all Special Needs People.” He also stressed the beneficial impact of
mainstreaming special needs’ kids on them and more importantly, on their neurotypical
schoolmates. He also urged the Lebanese
government to increase its support for schools offering special services. The
opening event took place on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at 5pm and was attended
by Mr. Fadi Yarak, representative of the
Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Ziyad Ghazzal, Associate Dean for
Medical Affairs at AUBMC, Dr. Steve White, Principal of LES, OpenMinds Fund board members and involved members of the community.
