DUBAI // Thousands of people enjoyed a party in the park on Saturday that aimed to make the public better informed about children with special needs.
Youngsters scrambled up climbing ropes, negotiated bouncy castles and enjoyed pedal boat rides inside a small inflatable pool as part of the Reaching You Party in the Park event in Zabeel Park.
Organisers expected more than 5,000 people to attend the show at the mega bowl amphitheatre.
"We were in the park and saw the signs so decide to take a look," Ryan Sicad, a Filipino computer programmer, who brought his daughter Sophie, 2.
"These kinds of events allow children as well as adults see people with special needs and get them comfortable with each other."
Children excitedly took part in a host of competitions on stage as others danced to music.
"The issue we want to raise is that children with special needs are just as capable as anyone else," said Nick Watson, the founder and organiser of the event.
"Special-needs children tend to be hidden away in this country and we want to get them out into the open and meeting other people.
"The big issue is trying to get special-needs children to be accepted in the mainstream schools and that is what we are trying to do."
The event provides a safe environment where able-bodied children and adults can mingle with these children, he said.
"That is the best was to break down any barriers."
The event had become so successful in recent years that it was moved to Zabeel Park last year after it outgrew its original home at Jumeirah Beach Park.
The entire event is free and organisers do not accept donations.
"We invite a lot of the groups and organisations that work with special-needs children to have a stall here," said Mr Watson.
"We have sponsors who help put the show on and we get a lot of volunteers who help make the event run smoothly."
Stephanie Hamilton, from Canada, brought her family along including her 7-year-old daughter Ruby, who has Down syndrome.
"She just loves having fun and it gives her a chance to meet up with and play with her friends," said Mrs Hamilton.
"I think attitudes in the UAE towards special-needs children have changed in recent years through events like this but we have a long way to go.
"There are some schools that accept these children but many do not and we would like to change that way of thinking."
Katie Skyrme, from the UK, brought her two children, India, 7, and Noah, 6, to the show.
"This is our first time and I think it's great," she said.
"The kids are loving all the different things they can do here."
But more needed to be done to integrate children with special needs into mainstream society, she said.
For India the day was more about playing and having a good time with other children.
"I really liked all the games that they have here," she said.
"I've been on the bouncy castles but I'm waiting to have a go on the climbing wall."
As well as a variety of stalls, face painting and games there was also a talent contest featuring people with special needs.
Alex Loveday, 21, from Texas in the United States, drew a huge round of applause and cheers after singing to the crowd.
"It was a great feeling to see so many people happy that I had sung," said Alex, who has pervasive development disorder, which is on the autism spectrum.
"I had practised singing a lot for this show especially in the shower and I'm glad that it paid off.
"I hope that by seeing me on the stage other people with special needs get confidence and realise they can achieve anything in life."
The event is under the patronage of Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and and Ruler of Dubai.
nhanif@thenational.ae
Dubai park party that aims to integrate special-needs children draws thousands
Thousands of parents and children attended a the Reaching You Party in the Park to help inform them about children with special needs
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