A counselor at the East Jerusalem YMCA - Rehabilitation Program visited him in 2005 to get to know him better and introduce him to the services available at the Program. Since then Akram has attended a weekly counseling session to help get out of his isolation, develop his communication and social skills in dealing with his community, and enable him to plan for his life.

The Program assisted him in opening a small shop to support him financially and the fact that he became self employed and responsible for a business gave him social respect and appreciation. He gained his self-confidence and esteem. Akram was further encouraged to get a driving license to facilitate his daily duties which he did after overcoming several obstacles imposed on him by the medical committee and the driving instructor at the Traffic Department.

The East Jerusalem YMCA - Rehabilitation Program organized several raising awareness and advocacy campaigns that succeeded in opening eyes on the rights of people with disabilities and the abilities lying within them that enable them to re-integrate into society as productive individuals and decision-makers.