Heba Atef, a student at the Arab Open University in Egypt, became the first-ever Egyptian flight attendant with Down syndrome to embark on a flight from Cairo to Khartoum, reports Egypt Independent.
Atef’s historic feat came as part of The Journey of Humanity flight, an initiative by Sudanese carrier Badr Airlines and the Smart Mind Training Center in Khartoum, in collaboration with the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The initiative saw a group of passengers with Down syndrome accompanied by their families attend a number of events and workshops to support persons with disabilities.
A flight attendant’s uniform was customized especially for Atef, according to her mother, with Atef asserting that the experience did not frighten her, Hon News outlet reported.
Atef, who studies at the Arab Open University’s Radio and Television Department, is also believed to be the first Egyptian woman with Down syndrome to pursue higher education.
