Early Intervention Stories
BRINA KEI MAXINO
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For the first time, a teenager with Down syndrome was chosen as an ambassador for the Asia Pacific Region to the World Special Olympics in January 2013. Brina Kei Maxino, 15, along with two other “special” ambassadors will represent the region in the special sporting event that will be held in South Korea.
Her penchant for telling stories, natural charm, and energetic disposition became the key factors why she was chosen by the Special Olympics Philippines as the region’s representative. As an ambassador, she will participate in seminars and workshops that are aimed at raising the awareness on persons with special needs.
The World Special Olympics is a sporting event for athletes with mental disabilities such as Down syndrome, and autism, among others. Apart from the Filipino athletes with special needs who will compete in the games, Brina is another person to be proud of.
Her penchant for telling stories, natural charm, and energetic disposition became the key factors why she was chosen by the Special Olympics Philippines as the region’s representative. As an ambassador, she will participate in seminars and workshops that are aimed at raising the awareness on persons with special needs.
The World Special Olympics is a sporting event for athletes with mental disabilities such as Down syndrome, and autism, among others. Apart from the Filipino athletes with special needs who will compete in the games, Brina is another person to be proud of.
ROMMEL ARELLANO
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Hailed as the Happiest Pinoy 2012, Rommel Arellano defied odds with his positive outlook in life despite having polio. The 35-year-old is a government employee at the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office in Limay, Bataan.
When he was younger, he used to walk on all fours, wearing slippers both on his feet and hands. He only used a wheelchair in college. Despite the years of bullying and other challenges he had to face, he remains optimistic and happy.
Today, he is a motivational speaker, giving values formation, team building, and stress management talks to fully-abled people. He is also an adviser of a PWD organization in his town. His goal is to raise awareness on the rights of PWDs as citizens of the country.
When he was younger, he used to walk on all fours, wearing slippers both on his feet and hands. He only used a wheelchair in college. Despite the years of bullying and other challenges he had to face, he remains optimistic and happy.
Today, he is a motivational speaker, giving values formation, team building, and stress management talks to fully-abled people. He is also an adviser of a PWD organization in his town. His goal is to raise awareness on the rights of PWDs as citizens of the country.
FILIPINO PARALYMPIANS
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Despite not having produced medals in the 2012 Paralympics, the nine Filipino paralympians who competed in London, United Kingdom are still winners in the PWD community.
First, the group was the largest delegation the Philippines has sent so far in the games. And the athletes did not perform bad at all. Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta finished sixth in the Women’s Powerlifting competition. Josephine Medina almost won the bronze medal in table tennis but lost to Sweden’s bet.
The other athletes that made Filipinos proud are Achelle Guion, women’s powerlifting; Beariza Ma. Josephine Roble, swimming; Roger Tapia, running; Andy Avellana, high jump; Isidro Vildosola, running; Marites Burce, javelin; and Agustin Kitan, men’s powerlifting.
First, the group was the largest delegation the Philippines has sent so far in the games. And the athletes did not perform bad at all. Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta finished sixth in the Women’s Powerlifting competition. Josephine Medina almost won the bronze medal in table tennis but lost to Sweden’s bet.
The other athletes that made Filipinos proud are Achelle Guion, women’s powerlifting; Beariza Ma. Josephine Roble, swimming; Roger Tapia, running; Andy Avellana, high jump; Isidro Vildosola, running; Marites Burce, javelin; and Agustin Kitan, men’s powerlifting.
DEMITRIUS OMPHROY
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Philippine National Football Team defender Demitrius “Demit” Omphroy is defying destiny. Despite suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS), a degenerative neurological disease, he still chooses to play it on the pitch. He is not letting the disease stop him from doing what he does best.
Apart from playing the world’s most loved sport, Demit is also an artist and a musician. He is likewise an advocate, doing awareness campaigns on MS in the United States, where he was born. But one of his goals is to raise awareness on MS here in the country.
Apart from playing the world’s most loved sport, Demit is also an artist and a musician. He is likewise an advocate, doing awareness campaigns on MS in the United States, where he was born. But one of his goals is to raise awareness on MS here in the country.
NAPREY ALMARIO
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Naprey Almario got his share of fame after joining Pinoy Big Brother Unlimited. But what struck many was the fact that Almario has polio. Despite not winning the reality show, he has inspired younger PWDs to dream big and strive for their dreams. He showed that anyone can make it big, despite one’s disability.
His celebrity status is now helping him in his advocacy in raising awareness on the accessibility of PWDs in establishments. This former teacher from Davao is also a blogger who helps the less fortunate with various activities.
His celebrity status is now helping him in his advocacy in raising awareness on the accessibility of PWDs in establishments. This former teacher from Davao is also a blogger who helps the less fortunate with various activities.
NELMIDA TWINS
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They are twins and they are both blind. Jerome and Joshua Nelmida, 12, are proving to the world that their disability is not a hindrance to what they want to do.
They are both good singers who are members of the choral group Ambassadors of Light. They are also good swimmers who are being trained by the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled-National Paralympic Committee (PhilSPADA-NPC). They are even aspiring photographers! Both have taken several workshops with advocacy group Photography With a Difference.
They are both good singers who are members of the choral group Ambassadors of Light. They are also good swimmers who are being trained by the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled-National Paralympic Committee (PhilSPADA-NPC). They are even aspiring photographers! Both have taken several workshops with advocacy group Photography With a Difference.
READ MORE AT: MANILA BULLETIN PUBLISHING CORPORATION:TOP 12 OF SPED STORIES OF 2012[WWW page].URLhttp://www.mb.com.ph/articles/388508/top-12-sped-stories-2012#.UTMMPKKR-So