Kakayahan Fair 2011

The event last July 18 in celebration of the 33rd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week proves what people with special needs can do! It was nice to see the kids from different organizations sing, dance, paint, and do some martial art exhibitions.The said event was participated by all known differently-abled groups in the city.

Ate Babes from Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Incorporated-Davao assigned me to be one of the judges. I'm extremely proud of them! They make me happy as always as they perform on stage in Sayawitan,a sing and dance competition (sayaw means dance and awit means song).

Photos coming soon.

When Compassion Strikes

Only a few people know how a children organization changed me three years ago. The change it brought me drives me to have that compassion for Kamp Pagasa.It's a summer camp intended for  kids who are mentally and physically challenged. Kamp Pagasa opens the window for me to serve Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Incorporated or DSAPI- Davao Chapter.

Every hard thing we do becomes easy if we work with compassion.In a ten-day camp offering your time , leaving your comfort zone and giving service without expecting any in return definitely makes me happy. It drives you to dedicate yourself to those who need you. At times, doctors, nurses and teachers  reach their  limit and sometimes we feel tired of what we usually do.But if we recall why we have  chosen these fields of specialization it bring us back to our profession.Impossible things turn possible with compassion.

Today, I remember the movie about Patch Adams, a doctor who treats his patients through humor and compassion. He performs comedy acts to them for he believes that treating a disease of the body is a win-or-lose situation, but treating a person's spirit guarantees success regardless of the outcome.Patch Adams is a kind of movie filled with laughter, humor, tears, and joy that would motivate you in some way to help others.

Patch Adams encourages medical students to cultivate relationships with nurses and learn their interviewing skills early, and argues that death should be treated with dignity and even humor. In the end the jury accepts Patch's medical methods and decides to allow him to graduate.We commonly hear that laughter is the best medicine and this is what Patch is trying to convey.

Faces of the Down

I was very delighted when I saw the individual photos of the members of Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines (DSAPI) in a frame mounted in a wall at SM Davao last December.The photo exhibit by Artgraphix with the cooperation of Bounce Photography made the people of Davao know that they exist. Exposing these children to public would gain respect and acknowledgement that despite their disability they are able to live a happy and healthy life with the presence of their loving family and the people who value them as part of our society.

We were there during the cutting of ribbon. Some parents could not wait to see the photos. The exhibit lasted for a week. The displayed photos of the kids are for sale for the benefit of the organization. Then the framed photo will be given to the child with his image.I asked my friends and some of my relatives to see the photos. They might like to buy one. To my surprise, all the photos were sold in just three days! That was really good news!

I would like to express my gratitude to all who came and responded to our call. Christmas season was indeed a joyful one to the downs and to their family as well.I might not be as active as I was since I'm no longer in Davao but my heart remains faithful to them. Although I can't join in their activities this year, I always pray for their success.

See more photos : DSAPI Davao Photo Exhibit

DSAPI Kids' Day Out

As promised by Mr and Mrs Brodie they met the kids of Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Incorporated when they visited Philippines again. I first saw the couple in 2009 with their grandchild who is also down. It was nice to see them again.



The members of DSAPI- Davao had a small party in Jollibee at SM Davao. They had their lunch with their family member and danced with the mascot. Then we proceeded to SM's World of Fun to enjoy! Mr and Mrs Brodie bought tokens for the kids to use. They also bought tickets for the bumpcar.



Before leaving they handed some cash to provide school materials for the children. Every week the kids go the office of DSAPI to learn some lessons. There are volunteer Sped teachers who offered their time and knowledge to them.

See more photos: DSAPI Kids with Mr and Mrs Brodie

DSAPI's Christmas Party 2010

The parents or guardians of the members of Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Incorporated are always excited for their Christmas Party.So are their kids. Every December they gather in a place to celebrate the season of giving with the officers of DSAPI- Davao spareheaded by Sir Tony Brias and Doctor Ro Domingo. Parents told me that it is the moment when each kid gets cash! They always expect a raffle draw that gives away home appliances like flat iron, electric fan, rice cooker and gas stove.Free lunch was given. The children got balloons, gift bags and stubs for sweats and family photo. They had fun on the mascot show as well!



As a volunteer for DSAPI, I witnessed how happy the kids' faces are. I saw how they played the games. I felt how they felt on that day. Most DS kids love music and dancing as well.



I'd like to express my gratitude to every person who keep on helping the organization and  to ate Babes for inviting me in their activities.

See more photos: DSAPI Davao Christmas Party 2010

Cosplay

Cosplay is the short form of "costume play" which is a kind of performance art. Cosplayers wear different costumes and accessories to copy their favorite anime cartoon character.It originated from Japan. The country is popularly known for producing a number of animated shows for kids and kids at heart.Cosplay is also done in the west doing their own style.

Last October, the children of Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Inc. (DSAPI) Davao were invited at SM for the MCS X or Mindanao Cosplay Summit 2010. The kids had fun with the costplayers taking photos with them. They got free lunch as well.They played games and were given something to bring home!

Check out their photos : DSAPI Davao Joins MCS X

Faces of Down Syndrome

Right Down the Lens is a photo exhibit presented by Artgraphix with DSAPI or Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines-Davao Chapter.The photos of the children with down syndrome was taken last month and will be exhibited on December 26, 2010 to January 1, 2011 at SM Davao.

These are the children I serve and I am inviting my fellow Dabaweñyos to come and visit SM to witness the faces of down syndrome in our city.Take a look at some of their photos: Faces of Down Syndrome (You need to login on facebook first so that the video will be available for you to see.)

Fun Day of DSAPI Kids

A child's ordinary day was turned into a merry one with the help of kind-hearted people. Two days ago I was with the children of  Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Inc, or DSAPI-Davao Chapter. We had a small party in Jollibee at SM Davao.

Generous people like Mr. and Mrs. Brodie gathered the kids in one place.Mr. Michael Brodie is a doctor and Mrs. Brodie is a nurse.These people and their company gave us a treat. It was in July when I first met the couple and had the same activity. They brought with them their granddaughter Jade who is also a DS kid.They want to share their blessings and make the DS children happy even in simple way. The kids were joyous to see Jollibee's mascot and dance with the music together.

Deo,Pauline,Cresten,Aurain,Alvin and EJ at the back 

 After eating, we extremely played at the arcade. They bought too many tokens and tickets for the bump cars. I'm certain the kids had a great day. It was nice to see them play,get souvenirs and enjoy the rides.

Jezreel Deo and I

The couple promised to see the kids again in December. God bless them more.It was great to be acquainted with helpful people who paint smiles on the kids' faces.

Jade and I

The Brodies with Lance and his mom

Their future mission will be centered around collaborating support for earlier intervention programs such as occupational, speech and physical therapy.

Mrs Brodie,Jade,ate Babes,Cresten,her granny and I

DSAPI

DSAPI stands for Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. It's a joint project by the doctors and parents that is created in 1992.Its aim is to give sufficient information about the down children.One of the goals of the organization is to assist the parents understand their down children.Thus, giving their proper needs.Letting them know the nature of their kids will surely help them in taking care of them. Joining DSAPI will ease their burden for having a special child.It benefits themselves for they learn things through communicating with other parents. Sharing experiences will help them understand a down child better.

DSAPI has its calendar of activities. Down children get to see people with the same case regularly. Different programs like Early Intervention,Free Clinic, Happy Walk, and Special Olympics are participated and enjoyed by the kids annually.

The pioneers of DSAPI look forward to having a happy family life despite the presence of down children. They encourage the parents with down children to join the organization to  support them in rearing their kids.The downs and their families can live a normal life if people learn to accept them. Community acceptance is what they need from us.

They are DOWN, but not OUT in the society.