Daryeel’s 4th Annual “Shine the Light” Autism Event: Inspiring Change and Breaking Down Barriers

As a father to a remarkable 24-year-old son who is autistic and as a co-founder of Daryeel, I have experienced, firsthand, the transformative power that dedicated support can bring to individuals and families. The recent event, held on April 11, 2025, in London, was more than just an occasion for raising awareness; it was a heartfelt celebration of neurodivergent excellence and an earnest confrontation of the systemic barriers that persist within our communities.

Section 1: Transformative Highlights

1.1 The Power of Storytelling: Life Line – A Mother’s Story of Hope

The emotional centerpiece of the evening was the launch of my wife Samia Ali’s bilingual memoir, Life Line: A Mother’s Story of Hope. Samia, a tireless advocate for over two decades, has been instrumental in shaping Daryeel’s mission. With its global availability on Amazon, this powerful memoir reflects our family’s commitment to advocacy, with 100% of proceeds dedicated to the newly established Life Line Hope Centre in Hargeisa and future centers in other Somali-inhabited cities, such as Wajeer, Djibouti, Mogadishu, and Jigjiga.

In her moving address, Samia passionately shared:

“When we began, there were no Somali-language resources. Today, every book sold provides:

One hour of therapy for a child

Transport for five children to attend classes

Training for community health workers

This isn’t just our story—it’s a blueprint for change.”

Key Features of the Book:

• Somali/English parallel text that bridges generational understanding
• Toolkit for Tough Days, offering practical strategies for low-resource settings
• Parent advocacy guides that empower families to navigate complex systems.

1.2 Featured Speakers:

Adam Sergent, Systems Support Manager and National EDI Lead, challenged prevalent employment myths during his speech:

“My lived experience in public transport design has led me to consult on accessibility projects, proving that neurodivergent perspectives can create better solutions. Now, I’m actively involved in driving national policy reforms.”

Dylan Mathieson-Dodd, an advocate since the age of 15, highlighted the inherent strengths found within neurodivergent individuals:

“Autism has given me three professional superpowers: pattern recognition, hyperfocus, and solution-oriented thinking. Simple accommodations—like noise-cancelling headphones—unlock potential.”

The live Q&A session featuring Adam and Dylan addressed pressing topics such as:

• Strategies for advocating effectively in schools
• Approaches to workplace disclosure
• Focusing on strengths instead of “fixing” perceived deficits

Dylan humorously expressed gratitude, saying, “I also wanted to say thank you for the dark glasses, as I found the venue a bit overwhelmingly bright upon walking in.”

Section 2: Groundbreaking Initiatives

2.1 Fathers’ Leadership Panel

Several Somali fathers, including Abdiwahab, Abdirizak, Ahmed, Hashim, and Yusuf, shared their profound journeys of support and understanding:

Hashim emphasized, “Instead of trying to ‘fix’ our autistic children, let’s focus on nurturing their strengths and supporting them from an early age to overcome challenges.”

Yusuf challenged damaging perceptions by stating, “We must retire the term ‘caqlila’aan’ (mindless). Our children are thinkers, just in different ways.”

Among cultural breakthroughs discussed were:

• Transforming shops, mosques, and community centers into autism awareness hubs
• Designing quiet spaces in mosques to meet sensory needs
• Encouraging fathers to take an active role in therapy sessions

2.2 The Hargeisa Minibus Project

Our fundraiser aims to:

• Acquire an adapted minibus ($20,000 target)
• Train driver-escorts in autism support
• Serve homebound children in Hargeisa

How Can You Drive Change?

Immediate Next Steps:

• Help us distribute 500 copies of Life Line to mosques and community centers—join this vital effort!
• Expand the Fathers’ Support Network, chaired by Abdulkadir Mohamed

2.3 Ongoing Support Opportunities:

• Purchase Life Line on Amazon; every copy funds:
• One hour of speech therapy
• 5kg of sensory equipment
• Community training materials

Direct Donations: Help fund transportation and driver training. Every contribution makes a difference!

2.4 Corporate Partnerships:

• Sponsor bulk book distributions (100+ copies)
• Match fundraising donations
• Fund minibus components

Closing Reflection

We extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors and partners; this event would not have materialized were it not for your support: Dahabshiil, NHS (in-kind support), WIT (Women’s Inclusive Team), the courageous fathers of autistic children (Abdiwahab, Abdirizak, Ahmed, Hashim, and Yusuf), RIA Money Transfer, The Limitless Minds, HBN Online TV, HSF (Hormuud Salaam Foundation), Amal Arts, Hiiraan Online, Ramadan Radio, Brand Awareness, Fly Way, Life Line Hope, and Kayd Somali Arts & Culture. At the event, I witnessed our vision come alive—a world where autism is not a barrier, but a unique form of brilliance. The tears, laughter, and moments of realization affirmed that change occurs when we collectively shine light on these issues.

Hashim Duale, MBE

Co-Founder, Daryeel | Autism Advocate | Proud Father

Support the Movement:

Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Lifeline-Nolosha-Autism-ka-Waaya-Aragnimo-Rajo-Gelin/dp/1912411512

Volunteer: [email protected]

Footnote:

Why Hargeisa? While Mogadishu remains a focus for the future, Hargeisa emerged as the ideal location for launching the first Life Line Hope Centre because of its streamlined processes and the visionary support of Abdirashid Duale, CEO of Dahabshiil. After a compelling 20-minute presentation by Samia, Abdirashid generously contributed the initial $7,000. This center is merely the beginning of our efforts across Somali-inhabited cities, including Garisa, Wajeer, Jigjiga, Djibouti, Burco, Garowe, Bosaaso, Beledweyne, and Kismaayo. We are dedicated to addressing urgent service gaps and creating a replicable model that can be adapted by other regions. We warmly invite city officials, governments, and philanthropic leaders from all Somali communities to join us in establishing centers in their regions—because every child deserves this lifeline.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring

This rewrite maintains a professional yet approachable tone, enriched with specific details, engaging anecdotes, and emotional connections, while ensuring a clear and engaging flow. Each section has been formatted appropriately for clarity and impact.