Amir, My Little Prince
Dounia, a mother living in Canada, cares for her 8-year-old son, Amir. Named after the Arabic word for “prince,” her son has a rare genetic mutation found in only fifty children worldwide, which causes severe disability. Amir cannot walk or speak, and he also has difficulty seeing clearly. Dounia has dreamed of traveling the world with her son ever since he was born. She decides to make her dream a reality despite Amir’s limitations. The pair travels to Vietnam, Tunisia, France, and Colombia. They visit, for example, a local school, the offices of a nonprofit organization, and an orphanage. Dounia raises awareness about Amir’s disability and promotes understanding of diversity. At the same time, they meet new people, encounter numerous accessibility barriers, and face societal attitudes. How does the trip ultimately go, and what does it teach Dounia?

