JEDDAH — When talking of children with special needs, one often overlooks the fact that their mothers are equally special because their efforts in raising children require heaps of patience compounded with courage. Overcoming all obstacles with a smile, they often tend to neglect themselves and ignore mounting stress during their consuming quest to raise their kids. Recognizing their challenge and honoring their courage, HOPE Center for children with exceptional needs invited mothers for a second edition of a special destressing event purely dedicated to relax their mind, body and soul. "Therapeutic Spa" destressed mothers with a special cognitive and behavioral therapy session, thumping Zumba and spiritual session on mindfulness. "At HOPE, we believe not only in working with special needs children, but also their families," Dr. Uzma Raheem, founder of HOPE Center, told Saudi Gazette. "The child stays with us 5 hours a day, but spends 19 hours at home. It's obvious where the greater responsibility lies," she said. Raheem explained that mothers are the best teachers and its essential to ensure that she is always in a happy and healthy frame of mind to carry out various responsibilities, especially caring for a child with special needs. "Mothers don't just need counseling but need to lighten the load and this is why we started this initiative to train them how to elevate positive vibrations and reach a higher level of mental consciousness." The event began with a motivational lecture by Alicia Ali, transformational and spiritual life coach who spoke about the art of mindfulness and how to master it. She explained that mindfulness is a state of active, open attention to the present by controlling emotions and judgments. She stressed on the importance of a creative outlet to channel emotions to a positive path. Ending her speech on an emotional note and highlighting the fact that children with exceptional needs are a blessing, Ali said, "I want you to know that in your homes lives an angel, a spiritual guide, a lantern, a beacon who was sent down from above to help you become an evolved human being who transcends the barriers of unconditional love." Ali's motivational words coupled with soothing music created an aura of relaxation and helped the audience unwind and feel stress-free. Dr. Uzma Raheem then enlightened mothers with a special session on cognitive behavioral therapy and how to erase negative thinking, deal with anxiety and depression and thereby bring positivity into their lives. "The psychologist, healer and trainer are all within you. Just learn how to read signals, tap them and witness the transformation," she said. Spa session included a body thumping Zumba, the Latin inspired fitness program, which is known to be an excellent way of relieving stress. It energized mothers, boosted their confidence and relaxed their stress levels. The event ended with the cake cutting ceremony, raffle draw and presenting gift hampers to mothers sponsored by renowned companies who flexed their corporate social responsibility programs and pampered mothers with their products. Sponsors included Body Shop, Tony & Guy, Noura Pharmacy, Bath and Body Works, Avon, Lush Cosmetics, Oriana Spa, Eve Salon, Le Concheur, Hilton, Pink Camel, Sindi and flowers, Boutique Florence Alice.
