Children with Down's syndrome are individuals

I would caution your readers against making assumptions that all children with Down's syndrome are the same. A published letter, Down's syndrome children need special education (February 6), advocates continued separate instruction (albeit under one roof rather than in separate facilities) for children with Down's syndrome. Children with Down's syndrome are each unique individuals who progress at their own pace, much like the range of development and abilities one finds in children with the typical number of chromosomes.
While it may be best for some to have specialised instruction on a full-time basis, others will perform better in a mainstream classroom (perhaps with some reasonable level of accommodation). I would urge any educator considering such an inclusion request to consider the child as an individual and not make any decisions based on a certain syndrome label.
This important and long-overdue topic on maximising the potential of children with special needs is something I am pleased to see the UAE recognise and begin to legislate. However, the implementation has to start moving along more aggressively. We cannot sit back and wait for the UAE to gain experience and knowledge. The resources are here. It is a sad state of affairs that, in light of the vast wealth and diversity in the UAE, the resources that do exist must rely on donate-a-brick campaigns to build facilities or golf tournament fundraisers to buy equipment and boost programming.One can only hope that the landscape in the UAE for persons with special needs will be a vastly different in five years.
In the meantime, parents and educators need to cooperate to find the best fit for all children based on each individual's abilities, and stop isolation and stigmatisation of those with special needs.
Hallie Ambler, Abu Dhabi
Testimony on love at first sight
In reference to the article Real couples prove love at first sight not a myth (February 9) , I met and married my wife in 72 hours. No regrets, just never ending love and care for each other.
Ahmet Klanin, Abu Dhabi
I experienced love at first sight in 1959 when I met Ken during a college mixer. We were married in 1962 and are today living and working together in Dubai. We're still best friends as well as lovers.
KW, Dubai
Syrians' main concern is Israel
The news story A 'Day of Anger' that failed to ignite (February 8) analysed the reasons why a popular revolt failed to materialise in Syria. I've been to Syria and most of the people genuinely like their young president and the issues that Syrians talk about is taking back the Golan Heights so they can finally make a deal with Israel. But Israel has no interest in peace. The Syrians also have seen prices go up since Iraqi refugees have flooded their cities.
Ron Gold, Abu Dhabi
Complications of modern life
I much enjoyed Sean Cronin's article Goodbye to all the rubbish my TV has been pumping out (February 10). The only connection I can see between Ice Road Truckers and the History Channel is that the programme will go down in history as one of the most boring ever.
Here are some thoughts that may encourage someone to write a follow-up that is targeted at Etisalat and du, perhaps with a little more ridicule.
Given this digital age, why can't I select and pay for the channels I want?  Surely I can tick a box on a form (or do it online) and be charged, say Dh2 /channel/month.  And then I won't have to scroll through 400 channels on my TV.  Furthermore I will not then have to spend hours trying to organise my "favourites".  And even when I have done that, do the favourites always appear as soon as I switch on? No, of course not. I have then to press lots of buttons on my remote in order to get the menu, or play list or whatever the thing is called to show my favourites on the screen. And as the remote is small with miniscule lettering, I usually have to stand up and turn up the lights to be able to read it.
As regards internet speed, I am in a fibre-optic enabled tower on Sheikh Zayed Road and have to be grateful to have a 2Mb connection. In my office in Mumbai, with totally chaotic wiring hanging over the streets outside, I have a much better connection for a fraction of the price.
Simon Arrol, Dubai
An alleged case of forgery by a bank
In reference to the article Bank forged bounced cheque, defendant says, (February 9), it is clear if the news is correct that the bank has violated the contractual terms and is liable to compensate the borrower. The bank should be held responsible for breach of trust and the court should release the borrower.
Dr KB Vijayakumar, Abu Dhabi