After moving from Vienna to Doha in search of specialised autism support, Raphael’s family says personalised care and community acceptance have transformed their child’s confidence, happiness and daily life within months.
Speaking at HOPE Qatar’s summer camp finale, Raphael’s mother Tova-Anne Marr and stepfather Ahmed Fatouh said the family moved to Qatar about eight months ago after exploring educational and therapeutic options for Raphael across Europe.
Raphael was born and raised in Austria. After his father died about a year and a half ago, the family considered a new start and examined educational and therapeutic options for children with additional needs.
Marr said an online search led her to HOPE Qatar Centre for Persons with Disabilities.
A response from the centre’s founder and managing director, Rajeev Thomas, convinced the family to visit Doha.
"He wrote me a beautiful e-mail that immediately told me we had to come to this school,” she said. "What resonated with us was that the programme was created for his son. There was a personal touch, and we saw so many possibilities for Raphael.”
The move involved packing up the family’s life in Austria and taking Raphael on his first flight, which they had feared would be difficult.
Marr said the centre offered advice before their arrival, including preparing him in advance for the journey.
Since joining HOPE Qatar several months ago, Raphael has become more confident and eager to attend, according to his parents.
"He has changed. He is so much more confident and so much happier,” Marr said. "He looks forward to getting on the bus every morning, and we are noticing huge changes in him.”
For the family, the difference is not limited to structured therapy.
They said the sense of acceptance they have encountered in Qatar has made outings easier and strengthened Raphael’s confidence.
Marr recalled that when Raphael displayed repetitive movements or made loud sounds in Austria, people sometimes stared, which could affect him.
In Doha, she said, the family feels less judged and more able to participate in public life.
"I think I cry once a week from happiness about how amazing people are here to my son,” she said. "It has been life-changing. It is in the culture.”
She believes children with disabilities often understand and absorb far more from their surroundings than adults realise.
"When they feel accepted in the community and feel they are part of it, they change,” Marr said. "They have confidence, they feel happy, and you could see that joy in the children during the talent show.”
Fatouh said the family had expected assistance but was surprised by the range of specialist support offered from the first day, including occupational and speech therapy.
"We were not even expecting that,” he said. "We thought someone would simply help him cope, but the specialisation and care have been great.”
Marr encouraged parents who may be hesitant to seek support to meet with professionals, ask questions, and assess available services.
She said the family found qualified staff with backgrounds in therapy.
For Raphael’s parents, progress is measured not only by goals but also by moments: boarding the school bus happily, going out as a family, and feeling that he belongs.
Their journey, they said, has shown how specialised care and an accepting community can work to give a child room to grow.