DUBAI // The father of a disabled child is on a mission to install a gym in each of the country’s special needs schools.
Nick Watson, whose son Rio has an undiagnosed chromosome disorder, is in negotiations with a major international bank to secure financial support for the project, which will eventually place physical therapy centres in all special needs centres.
Mr Watson, the founder of Reaching U, an organisation that helps children with developmental and learning difficulties, said it is vital that special needs children are active.
“When your child has special needs, it can be difficult for them to get exercise,” he said. “They need constant supervision so often they cannot run around with their friends outside or play ball games in the street.”
For some parents, the stigma of disability is another obstacle, and they avoid parks, playgrounds and the beach for fear of being stared at.
“Through Reaching U, I want to raise awareness and encourage integration, but above all, keep the children active.”
Mr Watson came up with the idea when he took Rio, who is now five, to the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre in September 2006.
“It was a daunting moment for me as I had to admit that my son was not like other boys and that I would not be able to play football or rugby with him,” he said. “I was also petrified of how I would react to the other pupils. But after only a couple of days, I realised that the kids were the most delightful, smiling children and, I really wanted to do something to help.”
Mr Watson, a former British Royal Marine, runs a gym and personal training company in Dubai called u-concept. Pupils from his son’s school were brought to the gym, where he and volunteers helped them to exercise.
“The children loved it and the demand was so great, I decided to do what I could to build a gym within the school grounds,” he said.
Mr Watson was confident he was up to the task, and that his sport therapy and organisational background would carry the concept through. All that was missing was funding, and willing hands to turn the idea into reality.
“I approached large organisations for sponsorship and many were very responsive,” he said. “One international bank offered to give a donation, but I explained that it was as important for them to send volunteers who would actually help me lay the bricks and mortar.”
Once the gym is completed, it will have equipment modified to the children’s needs. For instance, the treadmills will have fully-suspended harnesses to support the upper body weight of physically disabled children. A supervised climbing wall is also part of the plan.
Once the gym at his son’s school is established, the father of two wants to take the project nationwide. There are more than 5,400 children with special needs in Dubai alone, and the number is growing.
“Many people presume that these schools are funded by the Government,” he said. “But the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre is not, and I do not believe any of the others are. The schools need people to take an active role in fund-raising or volunteering to improve the facilities for the children.”
Last weekend, Reaching U hosted a fun day in Jumeirah Park. More than 500 people attended the event, held under the patronage of Princess Haya bint Al Hussain, wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice-President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The event has given Mr Watson plenty of encouragement.
“I am amazed at how quickly the idea has snowballed into a national project and I hope that means that it will be a success,” said Mr Watson. “I love Dubai, I have been here for 10 years and I am here to stay.
“I see a lot of people come to the UAE to make money and go again, but my wife and I decided to make it our home and bring our children up here. That’s why I want to give something back and I believe that helping the wonderful children at my son’s school and the thousands more like them across the country is a worthwhile mission.”
Anna Seaman