By Daniella Daou
Eyes still shining and hearts still warm, this year’s door-to-door Night to Shine had it all! With humbleness and gratitude, 15 SKILD volunteers prepared special parcels and visited 63 kings and queens with special needs and their families who welcomed them with big smiles as they shared the joy of having their children recognized for their potential.
This year’s royal treatment comes after a long period of challenges for individuals with special needs in Lebanon as they suffer the consequences of lockdowns, economic challenges, and a lack of state assistance, which, all combined, have forced their institutions to close and left them homebound with no other means of support. This has not only taken a toll on the progress of each of their special cases but also means that they have become isolated from their social circles, thus greatly hindering their motivation to reach their fullest potential.