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Witness
Theatrical Therapist
How one man's musical take on therapy is breaking taboos over disability in Iran.
Last Modified: 07 Nov 2008 13:02 GMT



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Mental illness and mental disability are taboos yet to be broken in Iran.

Most mentally disabled children are still considered a curse on their families. But now one man in Tehran is helping these children transform their lives.

Witness


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Hatef Doostar is Iran's leading art and music therapist. Carrying his xylophone across the city, Doostar, a vivacious and flamboyant man, holds drama and music classes which have helped more than 500 students to increase their sense of worth in a community that often seems to reject them outright.

Last year Doostar got a chance to showcase his methods on an international stage when the International Festival of Theatre for Disabled Youth came to Tehran.

Witness travelled to Iran to meet the "Theatrical Therapist" and his troop as they rehearsed and prepared for a Festival where the taking part is every bit as important as the winning.
Source:
Al Jazeera
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