RIYADH: Famous faces are helping to inspire visitors at a specialist Saudi support center.
British actor Rowan Atkinson, famous for his Mr. Bean character, and Argentine footballer Lionel Messi are among the names featured as part of the initiative in Qassim.
But the wall of fame project at the Fada Ebda autism support center has not seen the international personalities appearing there in the flesh.
Instead, the faces of well-known people from the past and present affected by autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders have appeared as painted portraits on the center’s external walls to send out a message of hope that no disability is a barrier to achieving incredible things.
Drawn by Sudanese artist Muzzamil Aleed, the portraits also include Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, American inventor and businessman Thomas Edison, actor Luke Zimmerman, English theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, and English philosopher and scientist Henry Cavendish.
Aleed said: “At first, I was hesitant because of the specificity of the project, and the fact that it caters to a certain group of society, but then I was excited to implement the idea after defining the characters to be drawn.
“It took me 10 days to complete the project. I was encouraged by the daily turnout and attendance of people watching me paint. I felt good, to contribute and present something that could help people.”
Fada Ebda director, Ali Al-Hinaki, told Arab News: “We are sending a message to people and their families that disability does not prevent creativity and excellence; anyone with a desire to learn and rehabilitate will succeed.
“There are great achievers with disabilities in the Kingdom, found in the field of memorizing the Qur’an, retrieving its verses, and also in mathematics and science.”
Videos and images of the painted portraits have spread on social media platforms.
“The great response to the portraits has shown us that the message behind the drawings was achieved and reached,” Al-Hinaki added.
Fada Ebda is one of 300 daycare support centers in Saudi Arabia established by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
Al-Hinaki said: “The centers also provide services for non-Saudis with disabilities. These include, but are not limited to, psychological and nursing care, physiotherapy, developing life skills, and helping people find and develop hobbies.”
