Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Get-hooked
  • #FutureChamps- Art & color make up 11-year-old Ayman’s world

#FutureChamps- Art & color make up 11-year-old Ayman’s world

Get-hooked November 26, 2020
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

In our #FutureChamps campaign, today we feature eleven-year-old Ayman Shakkeem from Kochi. A young and budding artist, Ayman was diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome at a young age. But his love for art and colors is what makes his life fulfilling.

When you take one look at eleven-year-old Ayman Shakkeem’s art-works, the color combinations and beauty cannot be missed. Diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS), a severe kind of epilepsy that starts in childhood, Ayman gets regular seizures owing to which he has to undergo rigorous treatment. But all the physical limitations hasn’t affected his love for art and colors. Ayman is truly unstoppable.

A disability diagnosis

Nifiya and Shakkeem, Ayman’s parents, are established architects based in Abu Dhabi and Kochi. During Ayman’s early years, the family was living in Abu Dhabi. They started noticing not just behavioral issues but developmental delays in their son. He used to get occasional seizures too. Within a few months, Ayman was diagnosed with LGS that causes learning difficulties and developmental delays which can be severe to moderate. Behavioral problems are yet another symptom of LGS.

Though Ayman received early intervention and therapies in Abu Dhabi, Nifiya and Shakkeem felt that their son could prosper better in India and they moved to their hometown in Kochi which Nifiya says was one the best decisions. According to them, parents with disabilities get more support and the child has better exposure in India.

Ayman regularly gets around ten seizures due to which he falls often. So he needs constant support. “Since childhood, we knew something was different about Ayman, but we did not know what it was. He had difficulties to read and write. But we lacked any awareness about the condition. Now that we know, we can reach out to him in a better way”, says Nifiya.

Ayman is currently studying in class three at an inclusive school in the city. He loves going to school, thanks to his supportive teachers and peers who always keeps a watch on him.

“Though Ayman is eleven years old, his cognitive skills are that of a five year old. So we need a support system in school that reaches out to him. We are glad to have found this school”, says Shakkeem.

Tryst with art

Ayman always loved coloring and painting since childhood. But it took to the next level during lockdown. He had a lot of time in hand and Nifiya decided to experiment with Ayman’s skills. As soon as he was given colors and papers, Ayman painted his heart out. Now, he has over 30 works to his credit, all of them abstract.

“We have given him the freedom to paint what he wants. We do not want to teach him anything. Let him do what his heart says”, says Shakkeem who points out that most of his works are on acrylic, crayons and pencils.

Ayman has also received training for a while with a clay artist just so that his fine motor skills could be improved. “He was taught the basics. But the teacher has asked us to let Ayman do what he wants to. Giving him a formal training doesn’t work well”, says Shakkeem.

Ayman recently won a gift hamper for his work from ‘Dabble PlayArt Crayons’. An ardent fan of football, Ayman loves sports too.

“We do not want to force him to do anything. In fact, even the process of painting, let him enjoy what he does. His younger brother Ahyan is also very supportive of Ayman”, says Nifiya and Shakkeem together.

Watch in Sign Language

Also Read:

  • #FutureChamps- Music, games, movies & happiness light up 9-year-old Aaditya’s life

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Technology
    Check out these free apps that help develop fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy
  • Employment
    Pawfectly Delicious Employs Young Adults with Developmental and Physical Disabilities

Contribue to Newz Hook |Disability news. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature disability stories or share disability news with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

collage of team members at Pawfectly Delicious

Employment

Pawfectly Delicious Employs Young Adults with Developmental and Physical Disabilities

Images of the 5 apps featured in article

Technology

Check out these free apps that help develop fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

#ReassessMS - Campaign on Multiple Sclerosis underlines gaps in disability assessment guidelines

Get-hooked

Dance video from parent support group ‘Youngistan’ aims to spread message of inclusion & diversity

Technology

Chatbot Mera Mitra aims to be the personal companion for all things to do with disability in India

Get-hooked

#LovePossible - What happened when Satendra Singh met his Paro

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook | Disability News - media site focusing on Disability Stories and Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight disability news, offer inclusive solutions and create accessible collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who will share disability stories and news.
Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.