By CHARMAINE DEOGRACIAS
THE campaign to raise autism awareness in the country is as old as my son Giancarlo Miguel, he is now 17. From that time that my kid was taunted in a theme park in Laguna for being special and cannot patiently queue like everyone else, back when he was 6, my resolve for this campaign has never wavered.
Ever since the Angels Walk was launched in 2007, we have been walking to take part in the advocacy with the same people and partners over the years. Sunday’s number of “angels” walking for autism may not have reached last year’s count which was a record high of 5,000, but the resolve is ever strong.
The advocacy “walk” has not been an easy one for families with a child with autism. We contend with demeaning stares, laughing glances and humiliating gazes when we bring our children out in the world outside our homes. We also battle self-doubt whether the world will ever be kind to understand and accept people like Giancarlo.
But there’s one day in a year we can let go of all our fears, when Angels Walk. Ever since, only one mall helps make this happen giving our angels a heaven on earth. As different schools, therapy centers, Autism Society Philippines chapters, local government units and families parade around the mall, waving storekeepers, smiling shop attendants and tiny flags are waved make us feel we belong and welcomed.
SM Malls have been home of the Angels Walk for Autism and a partner of Autism Society Philippines (ASP) ever since. In sharing this advocacy on persons with disability (PWD) as part of their corporate social responsibility, they have been constantly recognized as the most disabled-friendly establishment by government and the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (PFRD).
AutiSM was coined for the ASP-SM Supermalls partnership, whereby ASP has been training SM’s front liners, managers, tenants on autism for many years now. This year’s Angels Walk for Autism was again held at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia last January 20. Apolinario Mabini Awards 2012 gave a special citation to SM Mall of Asia and SM Program on Disability Affairs, the “Mapagmahal sa May Kapansanan” Special Award.
As Autism Society Philippines projected the number of Filipinos with autism to be a million now, they launched a project endeavoring to get the same number of pledges to help stop the joke on autism. “1PANGAKO” is about a promise to act to stop the derogatory use of the word “autistic” and to promote the true acceptance and inclusion of Filipinos with disabilities.
ASP believes that one simple promise can spur the change that may make life better for millions of Filipinos with autism. Aside from the signature wall that had its first signatories among the usual advocates, ASP is pinning its hope to social media to make a difference in this campaign.
“To use the word “autistic” without understanding its meaning is not right. It is not kind. The misconception it breeds is the root of bullying against many children and adults who live with autism in the Philippines,” ASP stated in their “1PANGAKO” campaign website where they suggested practical ways how to keep the promise in conversations, in media and in the community.
ASP explained that “autism is a neurological condition affecting millions of Filipinos. Individuals with autism have a unique way of processing things they see, hear, feel, taste and smell. Doctors consider it a developmental disorder. Governments legally recognize it as a disability. Families who live with autism have daily struggles not everyone can understand.”
Most persons with autism when fixated develop mastery and exceptional memorization skill. As for Giancarlo, not only does he know every local radio and tv reporter, he also knows every Senator of this republic and their campaign slogan. As election nears, Giancarlo again is a good “epal” meter because this early he randomly blurts out greetings and streamers of local politicians he sees along the road to and from his school. I would gauge the popularity of politicians or cabinet member, when my boy started shouting out their names in random tantrums.
Ironically though, in the many years of this advocacy on raising autism awareness, none of those people in government and the Senate Giancarlo knows ever joined them at the Mall of Asia where the annual Angels Walk for Autism is hosted.
There is but one party-list congressman who has consistently walked with us over the years, Buhay Party-List Cong. Irwin C. Tieng. My kid may not know him, but he knows our struggles and fights for us.
Last Jan. 20, Tieng again as he always did, walked with the angels and led the signing on that 1PANGAKO signature wall.
(This story is part of Reporting on Persons With Disability, a project of VERA Files in partnership with The Asia Foundation and the Australian Agency for International Development.)
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