Society for Disabled Children of the King Abdullah Center organized an event – Try the Chair – at Hera Mall, Wednesday. The five-hour-event was a platform for people to experience the life of disabled people. Over 500 people, celebrity poets, artists and intellectuals took part in the program. Artificial bumpers and barriers were set up, many young men and women volunteered to use wheelchairs to feel how disabled people move about, Al-Watan reported. Salwa Al-Muhamadi, director of King Abdullah Center, said this program has been organized in different parts of the Kingdom for the fourth consecutive year. She said the events had several positive impacts in the society and instilled a conscience to give the disabled equal opportunities for education and employment. Such events increase public interaction with the disabled and break the psychological barrier such people may face, she said. A diabetic child, initially aloof and isolated, changed completely after taking part in the event. “When he saw disabled children interacting with visitors, he cheered up and ran towards them. He hugged them and integrated well,” Al-Muhamadi said. “I think when he saw children with worse conditions cheerfully smiling and talking, he realized he was much better.” “His mother was very thankful that this event taught her son that diabetes was not the end of the world,” she added.
