The Family Support Network and Young Athletes program was held at NASHEMAN COLLEGE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION in Wah Cantt on March 26, 2013. Over 70 families and 30 young athletes attended the event, which aimed to promote love, acceptance, and inclusion of intellectually disabled children. Speakers from Special Olympics Pakistan discussed the importance of family support for special needs children and empowering them through programs. Families and athletes enjoyed activities and presentations about the Family Support Network and Young Athletes programs. The event concluded with presentations by coordinators of the benefits of these Special Olympics Pakistan initiatives.

1. Family Support Network
And
Young Athletes program
Held in Wah Cantt on 26th March 2013.
Venue: NASHEMAN COLLEGE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION WAH CANTT
Very special thanks to the following persons who not only attended the event
but also took keen interest in organizing the event.
Mrs.Farhana Tanveer Mr.Arif shaffi Mrs.Tehmina Azeem Mrs.Bushra khan Mr.Arshad Javaid Mrs.Irfana kayanni
Thanks to Mrs.Naila Gurmanni for providing complementary flowers for young Athletes and families .

2. Event Theme: love and acceptance for intellectual disable
children by families and society.
The event was successful as was organized in a very good manner .A very special thanks to Mrs.Farhana
Tanveer Principal Nashesman College For Special Education in providing all facilities to Special Olympics
Pakistan in organizing the event .She herself took keen interest and provided her full cooperation and
time for the event .
She personally visited the SOP office in Islamabad and had meeting with Mr.Mahfooz Elahi and Mr. Arif
Shafi and assured her full assistance for the event.
The school management and staff played a vital role in all arrangements. There were about more than
seventy families and about 30 young Athletes present at the function .More than 12 young Athletes and
seven families participated from Mashaal institute for special education Terbala Ghazi headed by their
principal Mrs.Bushra khan.
A well come Speech was presented by the Principal .She assured her full cooperation for families and
emphasized parents to come forward and work for the betterment of their children .
After wards Mrs.Tehmina Azeem National coordinator For Family Support Network gave a presentation
about the working of FSN. She in her presentation shared her views with the families.
She said “having a child with a special need impacts the entire family. Parents are faced with many
critical decisions. A child with special needs work hard — very hard — to accomplish the same things
that come easily for other children. Their hard work often requires time and attention from mothers
and fathers. Siblings can easily feel slighted when it comes to their parents' attention. Planning family
fun times can pull the family back together and provide much needed relaxation”.

3. She asked families to come forward and share their views and ideas .some of the parents shared their
views also.
Being a mother of special children I have been part of Special Olympics Pakistan and feel that sometimes
it becomes difficult to express our thoughts and outcomes in words. I wanted to share my experience
with Special Olympics Pakistan and for past many days I was thinking what should be the best way to
express my feeling and feelings of a mother who is alone taking care of her child with no help. Her
loneliness not only depresses her life but also the life of the child who needs love and acceptance.
Whereas if you are accompanied by people who care about you, can bring hope, love, acceptance and
happiness in your life. Sharing joy, laughter, and fun with others promotes bonding and strengthens a
sense of community. We develop empathy, compassion, trust, and the capacity for intimacy through
these activities and this is what Family Support Network stands for!
A musical dramatization was performed with the help of families which tired to explain the work of
family support network by Special Olympics Pakistan .Here I would like to share the lyrics of the song;
Tum Mile (Love Reprise)
tu hi meri hai saari zameen
chaahe kahin se chaloon... tujh pe hi aake rukoon
tere siva, main jaoon kahan
koi bhi raah chunoon... tujhape hi aake rukoon.
tum mile, to lamhein tham gaye
tum mile, to saare gham gaye
tum mile... to muskuraana aa gaya.
tum mile, to jadoo chaa gaya.
tum mile, to jeena aa gaya

4. This was a real success as everyone wanted to be a part of this and families and athletes enjoyed this small
act. They them self came to the stage and participated in it.
After this young activity was started with help of Mrs.Irfana kyanni .All the families and young Athletes
participated. Everyone enjoyed the activity. Young Athletes were delighted to have flowers and different
toys provided by SOP. They were excited to have flowers.
In the End Mr.Arif Shaffi National Coordinator Young Athlete and Mr.Arshad Javaid National Sports Director
collectively gave presentation and explain to parents the benefit and working of Young Athletes program.

5. Pictures: Families

7. Reported by
Lubna nawaz
Coordinator Federal Region
FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK SPECIAL OLYMPICS PAKISTAN