I have met many parents I look up to through my journey of parenting Gellibean. Some are mommas I spend time with every now and then, some parents I have only met online through Instagram and by following their blogs, and others, I get together with on a regular basis.
Agnes is one of the moms in DSAPI who I go to when I need help, understanding, and inspiration in my parenting journey with Gellibean. Whenever we get together, I am reminded just how much one can do in a day if she is organized, has a desire to help others, and would still like to find time for herself. Through our friendship, I have gotten to know her and I admire her ability to be able to bring people together for our cause.
Her son Jeremy is almost 19 years old. He plays golf, is super witty, a little naughty, and whenever Nino and I go to the DSAPI events, we know that we will get to spend a little time with him as well.
28 Days of Awareness was originally published on Agnes Lapena’s Facebook Page last year during the month of February. She has been contributing to Down Syndrome Awareness ever since Jeremy was a little peanut. And you can see it not just through parts of the album I will share with you here, but through all the work she does in our community.
Thank you Agnes for allowing me to share bits and pieces (once again) of your album through my blog!
In 2002, President Gloria Macapagal declared February as National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month.
Jeremy was born to the Lapeña family and their lives would forever be “different.”
Photo Credit: Agnes Lapeña
Down Syndrome fact: Dr Jerome Lejeune is the first doctor who identified Down syndrome with trisomy of 21st chromosome. This research was done in 1959. The characteristics of people with Down syndrome were identified by Dr. John Langdon Down
No one is left behind… not even those with Down Syndrome
Brina Maxino, Edward John Dee, Paolo Pingol, and Arthur Ryan De Photo Credit: Agnes Lapeña
People with Down Syndrome make good friends. They’re really cool!
Does Paolo look familiar to you? Check out this post where I get super emotional about his first McDo commercial!
Individuals with Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. It is the most frequently occurring chromosomal disorder. Down syndrome is not related to race, nationality, religion or socioeconomic status. The most important fact to know about individuals with Down syndrome is that they are more like others than they are different.
This statistic is still very close to how many babies are born with Down Syndrome, not just in the Philippines but also worldwide. It’s a little lower in some countries and a little higher in others.
MYTH vs. TRUTH
I would much rather have someone ask me a question about my daughter, or the community we have found comfort in, then go on believing or perpetuating something that is a myth or an untruth. This is part of the reason why I find it so important that during this month of the year, I go out of my way to make sure I do my part in creating awareness, nurturing acceptance and fostering inclusion to make the world a better place for our kids.
Please celebrate February with our family. Celebrate Gellibean. Celebrate the love we have for all kids are a lucky enough to have an extra chromosome. Want to really have fun with us? Join us during The Happy Walk!
To view Agnes’ album in its entirety, click the Facebook link here.
To check out the DSAPI Facebook page click here.
To learn more about how you can get involved and join The Happy Walk, click here.
