Happy Walk 2016

Last Sunday, we attended the Happy Walk event held at the SMX Convention Center. It was our first time to attend the event so I didn’t exactly know what to expect. Last year, I wanted to join, but given the logistics that Z and I had that time, we weren’t able to attend.

Happy Walk is an event of Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc (DSAPI) in partnership with SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc (SMPHI). This is to raise awareness and promote inclusion for people with Down syndrome. This is held every February, during the Down Syndrome Consciousness Month.

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We woke up early to prepare since registration starts at 7am. We got there at around 9am. Good thing there was no heavy traffic that morning.

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I was surprised to seeย the huge crowd inside the hall.ย It was not so easy finding people I know. Also, I’ve seen families wearing team shirts in support of their family member with Ds.

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Z was overwhelmed with the crowd and he didn’t want to be put down. I had to carry him most of the time we were there. He also didn’t warm up to the people who said hi to him, much less play with the other kids in one corner. I, myself, was overwhelmed, too. I didn’t expect that big of a crowd.

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It was actually a fun event. I witnessedย kids doing a whole lot more than what was “expected” of them. I’ve seen a lot of kids jumping and running around, playing and socializing like typical kids do, dancing and performing on stage without hesitation. They were just enjoying the moment. And I realized, there is so much potential in our kids with Ds only if we let them bloom.

There is still a lot of work to be done to bring awareness about Down syndrome. But the fact that there is a community out there that is getting bigger by the day, I know one day, our kids will be treated no differently than the next person.

We were not able to stay until the end of the event. At around lunch time, we had lunch at the mall then dropped by the supermarket to pick up a few things before heading home.

We will definitely prepare for next year’s event. I was not able to take a lot of photos because my phone was busted (and I still don’t have a camera). But for sure, I will take a lot of photos next year. Hopefully, our family and friends would be able to join us by then. ๐Ÿ˜

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    1. the crowd was overwhelming. No wonder the event needed a bigger place. ๐Ÿ™‚ It used to be held at SM North. This year, the event was held at SMX in MOA.

  1. It’s great that there are events like this to increase awareness and inclusion of kids and individuals with DS. Hopefully more and more companies sponsor and support causes similar this one. Kudos to you mommy, I’ve read your entries and I’m at awe how you’ve handled everything!

  2. What a crowd! I would’ve been overwhelmed too hehe. So nice to see events like this that raise awareness, and even nicer to see how many people support the cause!

  3. It’s good to hear that there are events like this to raise awareness and that act also as a support group. ๐Ÿ˜€

    1. True! Reading stories of people with Ds who live independently and working are truly inspiring. Gives me hope that my son will indeed have a brighter future ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. It’s good to see that there was a lot of support! I hope that, like in the US as Rowena just shared, one day the Philippines can raise kids with Down syndrome similarly to the way they do it in the US. ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. It’s nice to know that there are events like this for kids with Down Syndrome and you’re right. Having D shouldn’t hinder his full potential. โ˜บ

  6. That’s an awesome community that helps parents and kids alike. I agree, there’s great potential all kids and kids with D isn’t an exception to that.

  7. Glad to know there are community and activities especially for kids who have D’s to enjoy and to spread awareness at the same time.

  8. I hope that there will be more projects and support from the government and private sectors for all the kids with special needs.

  9. This is such a wonderful event. When I was in Oman, we had a walk in the city for the same cause. I hope more organizations can come up with such events to spread awareness on this. ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. It’s good to know that there is a community here in the Philippines where families can support each other, This is definitely a great event ๐Ÿ™‚

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