International Disability Day - The Optimistic Messenger Hala Abdelkhaleq
Hala’s smile is the first thing you noticed if you meet her. It reflects her optimism, confidence and strength. Hala is 23 years old, She started using her wheelchair when she was 2 years old. At the time, she was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy.
Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. During her childhood in Jordan, Hala attended a specialised school for Persons with Disabilities (PWD). Her family didn’t give up, they kept looking for alternatives to support her. She finally graduated from high school and studied Management Information Systems at the University of Jordan. While studying, Hala was doing volunteering work. This engagement was driven by Hala’s realisation of many challenges facing disabled members of her community. Lack of awareness, the importance of inclusiveness for PWDs and the absence of accessibility in public transportation , education and work environment, which cause damaging inactivity for some PWDs. Hala and her friends launched an initiative called Cumestair, which aims to break barriers and stereotypes by creating volunteering opportunities for youth with disabilities. She aIso joined ENSAN, a voluntary charity that support s orphans, vulnerable groups as their events coordinator.
Hala’s busy life doesn’t stop her to grow her personal engagement for PWDs. After leading her first conversation group which she used for advocacy and share her story on the ways to adapt with a disability and face daily life challenges. She became a public speaker and passionate advocate for PWD’s rights. She even gave a TEDx talk!
In February 2018, Hala joined World Vision Jordan. She has always seen the possibility of a bright future in every child’s eye. She also believes in a vision which develops their life and enhances better living conditions for them. World Vision was a natural fit for Hala’s goals, to create a better life for the most vulnerable children in Jordan. Hala was always looking for a place where she could implement her abilities to create durable change.
Hala is working as an Early Child Development (ECD) Program Assistant. She supports the implantation of the programme activities mainly the preparation of the data and information reports, the following up on activities progress and assist the teams to facilitate their workflow. World Vision is working with and for PWDs inclusion in many of their projects. The most prominent one is the ECD programme in Azraq Refugee Camp. The teams are working on the inclusion of children with disabilities, by facilitating accessibility in their environment. World Vision facilitates inclusiveness through education, by working with all members of a community to identify, engage, involve and support persons with different types of disabilities. Additionally, this approach helps develop an awareness and sensitivity to the needs and rights of persons with disabilities, helping to promote acceptance into general society and broader empowerment for community engagement. “I have many dreams and plans, part of them were accomplished but I’m always looking for growth and new challenges”, says Hala.
Hala’s dad is her hero. He started from nothing but managed to create a valuable and loving life for himself and his family. Nowadays, she is keeping her inspiration by meeting people who achieved personal success in different parts of the world, listen to their stories and learn from them…
Hala will continue to be an optimistic messenger on the behalf of so many PWDs.
A strong voice and positive spirit to advance the needs of many Persons With Disabilities.