- She was also given an all-expenses-paid domestic helper for 2 years.
Rita Hajjar, a Lebanese national and wheel-chair bound woman in her late 30's, had been featured on the MTV channel a few months ago.
She related how she and her elderly father were in danger of eviction after her mother passed away in 2017.
Shortly thereafter, Hamad Saeed Sultan Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Lebanon, visited the woman in her home bearing the good news.
By order of the Higher Committee and its patron, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, she was given a new fully furnished home in a new building equipped with an elevator just a short distance away from her original residence.
"We moved to help our daughter, Rita, immediately upon knowing her situation," Al Shamsi said. "In coordination with the UAE embassy, we bought her a home which she now owns."
Ayman Abdel Wahab, regional president and managing director of the MENA Special Olympics, visited Hajjar in her new home and lauded the UAE for its incredible humanitarian initiative. "All countries should follow the UAE's lead with businessmen and others becoming pioneers in lending a hand to all persons of determination," he said.
"Thank you UAE, thank you Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, thank you Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, thank you Sheikh Saeed, UAE Ambassador... I hope they consider me their daughter and stay with me," she said.
"I feel the UAE is my second home."
Hajjar was given a personal invitation by the ambassador to attend the Special Olympics games in Abu Dhabi as a guest of honour. The games will be held from March 14 till the 21st.
She will also be visiting Egypt.
Hajjar had been born prematurely but her parents were unable to afford her medical care. Her condition worsened over time to the point until she became partially paralysed.
Assistance from the embassy also included providing her with live-in healthcare specialist for two years and a wheelchair.
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