Making PH a friendlier place for people with Down syndrome
A PARENT’S love knows no bounds. This is especially true of those of persons who are born with Down syndrome. The nurturing that their parents provide is the equalizer that will allow them to thrive and do great things, regardless of their condition. It is the key factor that will enable these individuals with special needs to live fulfilled lives.
Mothers Agnes Lapena, Suzanna Yuzon and Michelle Aventajado are living embodiments of this kind of parental love. As mothers of persons with Down syndrome themselves, they know firsthand the challenges that living with a family member who has Down syndrome entails.
Agnes Lapena is a member of the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Inc. (Dsapi), a nonprofit organization that aims to offer support to families that have members with Down syndrome. Some of the many programs of Dsapi include Happy Walk, the annual golf tournament Tee-Up for Down, and the Early Intervention seminar.
Suzanna Yuzon, on the other hand, is the founder of the Miss Possibilities Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization.
Meanwhile, Michelle Aventajado is the executive director of Best Buddies Philippines, the local arm of international nonprofit Best Buddies. The organization has, among numerous initiatives: a Friendship Program, a Leadership Program and, a Jobs Program.
SM Supermalls, through SM Cares, its corporate social responsibility group, fully understands the importance of inclusion for persons with disabilty or PWDs
in their business environments. This is why the mall giant has been actively supporting nonprofit organizations like Dsapi, Miss Possibilities Foundation and Best Buddies Philippines, among others.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ groups/53343128860/, https:// www.misspossibilities.com/and https://www.facebook.com/misspossibilities/ facebook.com/BestBuddiesPhilippines/ , https://www.smprime. com/sm-cares and https://www.