ABU DHABI, 29th September, 2013 (WAM) -- The American Corner of Abu Dhabi City, a resource centre for US history, culture, policy and business, located at Al Hosn University, recently held an awareness campaign entitled "A World Without Alzheimer?s" in recognition of World Alzheimer?s Month.
Dr. Adnan Husnein, the newly appointed American Corner Director, introduced the Vice Chancellor and CEO of Al Hosn University, Prof. Munther Momany, who emphasised the American Corner?s active involvement in promoting and organising cultural and social events such as Breast Cancer Awareness Week, Earth Day, the Small World charity event, and Abu Dhabi?s first Volunteer Fair. He also highlighted the importance of the American Corner to the partnership between the US Embassy and Al Hosn University. The US Embassy?s Information Resource Centre Director, Ms. Rula Khalafawi, was an honorary guest at the event. Attendees viewed a short documentary which revealed facts and figures on Alzheimer's disease in the USA. This was followed by an expert panel discussion which included Dr. Khalid Al Bagdady, Specialist in Neurology at the Gulf Diagnostic Centre Hospital, and Dr. Radia Khan, Consultant for Internal Medicine at Burjeel Hospital. The panelists offered a window into a world generally misunderstood through an engaging discussion about the causes and treatment of this incurable disease which is the most common form of dementia. The panelists stressed the need to raise community awareness in order to improve quality of life for patients as well as their caregivers. Speaking from personal experience, Dr. Husnein said, "It is important for families in Abu Dhabi and across the region to understand the nature of Alzheimer?s and to be able to cope with their loved ones afflicted with the disease. Many elderly people suffer from improper treatment and psychological trauma due to the lack of understanding of this progressive ailment. We must learn to treat our loved ones as individuals with a disease and not as a diseased individual. We hope the American Corner?s awareness campaign would help spread the word for a good cause."The day?s event concluded with a parade led by members of the Harley-Davidson Rider Community, represented by Al Hosn alumna Ms. Shaima Al Hosani and Jasim Al Raseesi, followed by a reception and a fun round of memory games. The American Corner was officially inaugurated at Al Hosn University in January 2011 to promote mutual understanding and an exchange of ideas between the United States and the United Arab Emirates and is one of 490 American Corners world-wide, one of three in the United Arab Emirates, and the first American Corner in the city of Abu Dhabi.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2013.
