The disability of the young writer, Alia Al-Shaman, did not stand in the way of her talent in writing short stories, children's stories, and cartoons. She received the support and encouragement of His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman, who printed her first works at his own expense, believing in her talent, to continue her journey of excellence. Demanding the establishment of an authority to nurture the talents of people with special needs and to provide them with all support.
Alia Shaman was born in the United States of America, Texas, in the city of Dayton, and she suffers from a physical disability due to lack of oxygen, which caused her cerebral palsy, which caused her to lose control of her limbs except for her left hand, which she uses almost normally. Alia said: “I use one finger to write and draw on the computer, as for the right hand, its movement is very slow, and I cannot walk or stand and use a wheelchair. My mother, after I reached the age of 12, learned from my disability and the circumstances of my life to be a believer, successful and ambitious person who does not give in to sorrows, is patient and persevering to achieve my dreams even after the separation of my parents, who were not prevented by divorce from taking care of me and providing support and caring for me. And about her ambitions, she said: I was hoping that I would have a collection of stories and achieve this for me, and that my talent in writing stories and cartoon films would reach the world and that I would be the first Saudi woman to achieve this achievement.
Alia discovered her talent for writing and drawing at the age of 18; She was working on her computer, but its capabilities were modest and did not meet the required purpose, and she asked her mother to bring another device with better capabilities in order to develop her artwork, and she began writing a collection of stories and sent them to Prince Sultan bin Salman, who supported her idea and encouraged her talent and printed and marketed it Her first book, at his own expense.
Regarding the challenges she faces, she said: “I suffer from a lack of support for my work, and I want to write stories to be cartoon films, and I find it difficult to direct them due to the lack of financial support to highlight my talent, as there is no art without money.” She hopes that the concerned authorities will determine financial allocations to support and develop talents. People with special needs in all fields, similar to the sports field. The shaman called for the establishment of an association or organization to sponsor the creations of people with special needs. To help them highlight their talents and help them achieve them without asking for help from others.
Regarding her future aspirations, she mentioned that she aspires to write a unique cartoon story, and the shaman said: "I hope to work a commercial project from my home through which I occupy my spare time, and earn my living from my hard work without being dependent on others."
Regarding her latest work, Al-Shaman said: “I recently showed a cartoon film on my YouTube channel, entitled “A Look of Optimism”, which aims to spread optimism in the hearts of girls with special needs, and to demand their right to marry like other healthy girls. So I tried to express that through animation, and I chose cyberspace. To reach the message through it to the largest possible segment of people, and the painter Amna Al-Masofi helped me in the work, and the coloring of the drawings Sherine Muhammad Al-Hassan Al-Khani, and the direction of Lina Al-Abbasi, and the sound effects of the poet Abu Layan ». Al-Shaman thanked all those who helped and supported her in the production of her first film, without taking any money from her. Alia received certificates of thanks from a number of supporters and those who took the hands of the successful and those who valued the efforts, and she was honored at the (Reality and Aspiration 1425) forum that was held in Riyadh for her participation in the “Success Story” working paper.
Ashwaq Al-Tuwairqi (Makkah Al-Mukarramah) @shwg90T
