Oman Sail put a smile on the faces of 20 new sailing enthusiasts when they and Oman Shipping Company hosted a group of Down Syndrome children and their parents to a day of fun at their sailing school at Al Mouj, Muscat. As well as introducing the families to the joys of sailing, the purpose of the visit was to raise awareness of social inclusion by engaging the children in an exciting fun day. It was also a chance for the newly-formed Oman Down Syndrome Association to promote their specialist services and create a greater understanding of the condition, which affects around one in every 400 babies born in Oman.
With Oman Sail coaches on hand to show them the ropes, the children were welcomed to Oman Sail’s sailing school and taken out sailing on a fleet of Bahia boats, which earned them a special certificate.
Speaking about their support, Tarik Al Junaidi, CEO of Oman Shipping Company added: “Down Syndrome has achieved greater prominence since the UN started observing March 21 as the global awareness day for it and we are delighted to be able to support the Oman Down Syndrome Association as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility programme.”
Ahmed Al Jabri, Chairman of the Down Syndrome Association said: “Children and adults with Down syndrome have many talents and gifts, so experiences like this one are invaluable in allowing them to discover and develop them. The Oman Down Syndrome Association was founded in 2014 to provide the essential training, rehabilitation and educational courses for children with this syndrome to accelerate natural growth and help integrate them into the society”.
“More and more, we are seeing a higher incidence of people taking these courses and completing training programmes. Increasingly, they are being encouraged to socialise, develop friendships and maintain quality relationships and we are doing a lot of work to support that development.
Al Jabri went on to explain that Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition, and it occurs when an individual has three, rather than two, 21st chromosomes and although people with Down Syndrome experience cognitive delays, the effect is usually mild to moderate.
