Bahraini - American program helps the disabled
Bahrain-USA, Culture, 7/23/2007

The small meeting hall on the chilly Oregon coast lies thousands of miles from the sun-drenched beaches of Bahrain. Yet on this drizzly Sunday morning in July the building fairly glows with warmth from 18 representatives of the Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation, most of whom are disabled, and a smaller group of American counterparts.

The tent-shaped wooden hall fills with laughter and enthusiastic chatter as the Bahrainis and Americans undertake a workshop on leadership and education for the disabled. In the front of the hall, a line of interpreters translates the discussion into Arabic and English and two sign-language systems, looking a bit like the chorus from a Greek play.

The Bahrainis -- two staff members and two interpreters and 14 young participants -- have split into smaller groups with the Americans to facilitate their discussions. The Bahrainis and the Americans alike understand that many others see them through the prism of what they cannot do, but they are celebrating what they can do. The posters each group makes to characterize its discussions carry a strong message: "Nothing Is Impossible." "Look at My Ability." "We Are Together Forever."

The three-week program, organized by Mobility International USA, based in Eugene, Oregon, and funded by the US Department of State, shows the truth behind these slogans. The group has held numerous workshops, participated in park maintenance projects, ridden specially made bicycles that allow them increased mobility, participated in athletic events, gone river rafting and visited some of the most spectacular sights of this picturesque state. They also have held discussions with local civic leaders on basic issues of human rights, education and access for the disabled.

As Sunday's workshop winds down, group members talk about the highlights of their program. When asked their most memorable experience, several laugh and say, "Snow!" They were surprised to find it in the nearby Cascade Mountains even in summer. A few enjoyed scraping a handful of the white stuff off the mountainside and eating it. Others talk about the enormous expanse of the Pacific Ocean, its breakers booming only a few hundred meters from the meeting hall.

In a more serious mood, Zainab, a student from Manama, Bahrain, reflects on differences between the two countries and says that in Bahrain she and her colleagues too often are seen only as disabled. In the United States, she has seen that the disabled have rights and are seen differently. "People are kind here," she says. "They make you feel comfortable."

Jalal, speaking in sign language through an interpreter, says: "Camping (on the coast) has shown me how important teamwork is. We can work together and help each other to achieve a common goal."

Salman, a young man whose quiet thoughtfulness belies his 16 years, lounges on the wooden floor, his head propped on his hand. "We have learned through this program how to adapt to new cultures and about cross-cultural understanding," he says.

The cross-cultural understanding Salman speaks of is one of the group's most important goals. And it will be put to good use: in 2008, the Bahrainis will serve as hosts to a similar group of disabled young Americans. Many of the activities they undertake in Oregon this summer are designed to give them the skills they need to organize next year's program.

They look forward to the challenge. In addition to workshops and discussion groups, the young men and women from Bahrain speak of showing the Americans the beaches in their country as well as its mountains, gardens and old forts. "We will strive to give them the best possible view of Bahrain because we have received such hospitality and generosity from them," says Wasna, one of the Bahraini delegation.

Alyssa, an American who hopes to be among the participants in Bahrain next year, says, "I'm looking forward to seeing that side of the world for the first time." She laughs and adds, "And to learning a little Arabic."

In addition to providing young Bahrainis and Americans with disabilities a chance to hone leadership skills and become better informed on how those with disabilities are treated in another culture, the current program is also something of a dream come true.

Essam Kamal, the managing director of the Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation, first came to Oregon in 1983 as a member of the first international group programmed by Mobility International USA. Even then, almost 25 years ago, he discussed with Mobility International's chief executive officer, Susan Sygall, the possibility of organizing a bilateral program.

Though Mobility International usually does not undertake bilateral exchanges, the idea was kept alive. Planning got serious in 2005, Kamal says, and a grant was obtained from the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Details were worked out with the assistance of the US Embassy in Manama, "and now the dream has become a reality," he says.

Cerise Roth-Vinson, a 10-year veteran with Mobility International USA, who has been program leader for the group, says, "There is a real opportunity here... to bring together the next generation of disabled leaders and to establish friendships that go on (after) this program." She points out that the grants to Mobility International USA are not the only US government resources available to students with disabilities. In many countries with substantial Muslim populations, students with disabilities can apply through their local American Embassy for the YES program, which awards scholarships to study at a high school in the United States for an entire academic year.

Thinking of next year's trip to Bahrain, Roth-Vinson says, "I hope we'll have an opportunity to see the way that young people are leading in their country, and setting forth their message of what's important."

Essam Kamal echoes her comment as he nods and says, "I think we have some messengers here. They have learned a lot, and the way they are thinking is different from what they were thinking before."

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