ABU DHABI // A disabled Emirati has made a video that she hopes will inspire disabled people to become successful role models and play an important part in UAE society.
The film by Kaltham Obaid Bakheet, who works for the Ministry of Health, has been uploaded to the Government channel on video-sharing website YouTube.
Ms Bakheet was in a car accident in 1990 while driving back from Dibba.
Her injuries from the accident left her in need of wheelchair assistance, from the young age of 23.
But her film shows that, rather than letting her disability become a burden, she was able to use the accident as a turning point in her life.
In the video, Ms Bakheet talks about the rehabilitation programmes offered by the Government and how they helped her to continue her career in the healthcare sector.
“I had many options. One of the suggestions was to quit my job and to accept social affairs support, but I refused that because I still have a long journey ahead of me,” says Ms Bakheet in the video.
The footage also shows how she is able to drive, using a specially-modified car.
Ms Bakheet is one of the founders of the Handicapped Guardians Association, the Association of Empowering Women with Disabilities in the UAE, and is also first deputy chairman of Al Thiqah Club for Handicapped. Her short film highlights the importance of education and family values in the development of society, and shows that the road to success begins with inner faith in one’s ability to achieve goals.
“No matter what the circumstances are, the journey to success starts with self-belief that I can accomplish any task. In spite of the ordeal I went through I still have a lot to do. I studied hard and accomplished a lot,” she says.
The official UAE Government’s YouTube channel was launched in June by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
It broadcasts a number of exclusive programmes as well as information about government services, and provides a platform for awareness campaigns by federal departments.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
