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Advocate Best Buddies

End the R Word with Best Buddies

I start this post feeling so super grateful. 

 

@bestbuddiesphl @bestbuddies @bestbuddiesasiapac This has been an amazing year for our family. There have been so many different moments brought together by so many different people which I know I will not soon forget. Christmas is only days away, and I confess that I am way behind on my gift giving for our friends and for our friends who are just like family. But this? This is probably the greatest gift I could have been given. I’m not just talking about the beautiful family that I prayed for. I’m talking about all of the people who have supported #Gellibean and the fight to #EndTheRWord. This is us. Shooting for the very first time with a #greenscreen and all done by the generosity of some very wonderful people. Thank you?? Thank you from the bottom of my Gellibean loving heart. ???? #bestbuddies #bestbuddiesasiapac #bestbuddiesphilippines #inclusion #downsyndromelove #downsyndromeawareness

A photo posted by Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on Dec 19, 2015 at 12:38pm PST

I’m sitting up in a bed with my loves surrounding me.  Everyone is asleep. Everyone is healthy. Everyone is under one roof and we have more than enough. We are blessed. Truly.  More than four years ago, we were gifted with the fourth child to complete our family, and SHE was gifted with an extra chromosome. That extra chromosome has rocked our world in every way possible.   

 

Us. A photo posted by Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on Dec 13, 2015 at 3:42pm PST

Gelli’s extra chromosome initially brought me to my knees in my faith. But as many of you know, it’s only by being brought to your knees, that you can you restore your faith into something greater than it was before. 

When we began sharing Gelli’s gift of an extra chromosome with our friends and our family, we got a few reactions.

  • We were told that having a special baby just like her would give our family an advantage in life. We were told that she was “lucky” or what people say here is “suerte.” 
  • We were told that “God gave us a special child, because we were special parents, and because we could “handle” it.”
  • We were told that Gellibean chose us to be her parents.

I think all of these statements may be a little bit correct. I do feel lucky. I’m glad she chose me to be her mom. And I think the advantage is perspective…

I was inspired to return to the keyboard today, but to be honest I have been so overwhelmed to sit down and write for the past three months. 

I know. I know. I have neglected writing here, sharing, and catching up on many long overdue posts because LIFE was happening. Sometimes, LIFE can do that. It can be overwhelming. 

There have been many a days in the past few months where I woke up so extremely tired feeling like I was chasing time and even like I was never going to catch up. I suppose that is what happens when you are a mom, who tries to do as much as she can, balancing life, home, parenting, family, and trying to contribute to something greater than herself.

I take so much inspiration from my sister. Thanks Maria for all your support and your love for Gellibean. She leads the change she wants to see...and I take my cues from both her and Gellibean.

I take so much inspiration from my sister. Thanks Maria for all your support and your love for Gellibean. Maria leads the change she wants to see…and I take my cues from both her and Gellibean.

These things… the things that are greater than myself? These are the things that usually provide the greatest inspiration…much more than I could have ever imagined. 

 

#BTS with @jaysantosphotography @bestbuddiesphl

A photo posted by Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on Nov 7, 2015 at 11:15pm PST

It’s things like Best Buddies and inclusion for people with IDD. It’s things like someone sending me a message through my IG account saying that she has stumbled upon my account and that she felt like she needed to reach out.

Thank you Ciella, for reaching out. Thank you for sharing part of your story with me. I cant wait to meet you in person.

Thank you Ciella, for reaching out. Thank you for sharing part of your story with me. I cant wait to meet you in person!

It’s meeting with Gellibean’s teacher, and learning of new antics, accomplishments, and anecdotes from her days in school. 

 

  After quite a long delay, we finally had our home visit parent teacher conference with our teachers from @thelittleapprenticepreschool. #Gellibean was so excited to host her teachers in her home! Can you tell? Thank you T. Maricel and T. AJ for coming to visit us!   A photo posted by Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on Dec 11, 2015 at 1:39am PST

It’s watching my eldest daughter navigate adolescence with the help of some really great girlfriends.

IMG_0521

It’s seeing my buddies in DLSZ finally start to make the connections that I hoped they would by opening themselves up to the idea that we are all alike in our differences.

 

@bestbuddiesasiapac #DLSZBestBuddies Patrick, Carlo, Mattheus, and Miguel stop and grab something to eat before exploring the fair. #bestbuddies #bestbuddiesasiapac #inclusion #friendshipgoals

A photo posted by BestBuddiesPHL (@bestbuddiesphl) on Nov 26, 2015 at 8:04pm PST

It is by asking for help, knowing it’s a long shot, but being gifted with many surprises a long the way by people whom you didn’t even know supported your fight.

Today, those long shots? They are what I am most grateful for.  I am grateful for everyone who helped put something very special together.

So many people that were behind during this shoot are responsible for making this PSA happen. I'm grateful for the Head of Media and Production, Beth, for making this shoot happen and for guiding us along the way.

So many people that were behind the scenes during this shoot are responsible for making this PSA happen. I’m grateful for Head of Media and Production, Beth, for guiding us before, during and after the shoot. She did this seamlessly with the help of her crew. 

From shooting in The Rappler Studio, to very busy people taking time out of their holiday schedules, to donate their time, talent, and energy into something greater…  

 

  Early morning shoot at Rappler with @maria_ressa @mommanmanila and #gellibean.   A photo posted by DAPHNE® (@daphneop) on Dec 18, 2015 at 7:44pm PST

The End the R Word campaign is so near and dear to my heart not just because I have been gifted Gellibean and she has been gifted an extra chromosome.

It’s near and dear to my heart because before I had Gellibean I was extremely insensitive.  

 

  These are only some of the young ladies who will grace the stage on October 7th @mangotreemanila for The FIRST EVER #Pageant for girls with Special Needs. For more information on #MissPossibilitiesPH and how you can purchase tickets to help further our cause of #inclusion #friendship and #BeautyKnowsNoBoundaries please follow @misspossibilitiesph here on Instagram and on Facebook. If you would like to volunteer or learn more about what we are doing, please email misspossibilities@gmail.com   A photo posted by Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on Sep 25, 2015 at 6:28am PDT

I am actually ashamed of how I was completely ignorant of the people I was hurting when I would use the r-word or words like it.

There is a big part of me that feels guilty about using that word before Evangelina, and maybe that’s why I feel like I need to educate people on the ill affects of using this word or words like it. Once you offer someone understanding and perspective, you offer them the opportunity to change.

And I suppose one of my greatest hopes is that when this short but powerful PSA is fully edited and out there in cyberspace ready to be shared and seen, that each and every viewer will want to take the opportunity to do the same. 

I hope that it will CHANGE THE WAY WE ALL VIEW LANGUAGE…

Imagine the good we would do if each viewer would change just a little…and maybe even influence others to change a little too?

Be on the lookout for our Best Buddies End the R-Word PSA…I’ll share it here with everyone once it is completed.

 

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Comments

  1. Peter A. Ressa says

    December 30, 2015 at 6:41 am

    Good for you Michelle Ann! Love you, Nino, Gelli and all the kids! Great article and I know you will be a big success as National Director of Best Buddies!!!

    • michelle says

      January 1, 2016 at 8:25 am

      Thanks Dad. Thanks for always believing in me.

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Is there anything more delicious than the smell of Christmas and the new found freedom as we anticipate celebrating the holidays with our families again?

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Thank you for sharing all the different ways we can celebrate the holidays with you!

#tistheseason #seasonofgiving #downsyndromeawareness #aintnothingdownaboutit #upsyndrome
I have always been intimidated by Cornish Hens. Th I have always been intimidated by Cornish Hens. Through this learning exercise with @usapeecphl, I have learned a bit more about these little birds that have bigger breast parts, and thank you Chef @ivoryyat for showing me how easy it is to prepare Greek Lemon Roasted Cornish Hens with Roasted Potatoes.
 
Clean and fresh flavors are perfect for these smaller birds that are rich in protein with zero carbs. Try the recipe in the comments section. I’m sure you’d enjoy it as much as I did!
 
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Anyone else thinking about #HolidayPhotos? I am not one of those moms that has it all together before Christmas. It’s usually a mad dash for us at the end of the year, but if it’s anything that the past few years has taught me, it’s that the little things are what makes the Christmas special.

Many of us haven’t been together with the extended family or even our immediate family in so long. That means it’s the perfect time to document.

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****GIVEAWAY ALERT*** 10 things I LOVE about @sed ****GIVEAWAY ALERT***

10 things I LOVE about @sedahotels listed here and on FB!

1. Each property has a Signature Dish. If you can’t make it to Bacolod, you can still enjoy Chicken Inasal in any of their properties.

2. Clean Design. So easy to work and play in a space that is light, modern, and clean in design. 

3. Beautiful views. Every chance I got, I would sit outside at @straightupatseda. 

4. Spacious Rooms and Residence Stays. Staying in the Three Bedroom Premier was perfect for our family. 

5. Attentive Service. Everyone was pleasant and accommodating.

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Thankful for work that doesn’t feel like work. Thankful for work that doesn’t feel like work.

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Wish I caught more mini moments from We Will Rock You.

Such a great musical!

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Thankful for @bestbuddies_ph. @gelliaventajado j Thankful for @bestbuddies_ph. 

@gelliaventajado joined our family and led me to @bestbuddies. 

Thankful for all the ambassadors who were able to spend time with us. And for @smlpeeps  and @asurionphcareers for helping make magic happen on Saturday afternoon for #Friendsgiving.

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Is there anything better than a stuffed turkey at Is there anything better than a stuffed turkey at this time of year? Whole turkeys require serious commitment to cook. #IYKYK But because U.S. Poultry is now available here in the Philippines, that also means preparing turkey is a tad bit easier.
 
Frozen U.S. turkey products are available and ready to cook for people who want to dabble with flavors for this bigger bird but aren't sure how.
 
Thank you to Chef @ivoryyat for putting together a medley of my favorite fall flavors. This combination of apples, sweet potatoes, and maple syrup perfectly compliment  the roasted turkey leg and remind me of flavors and scenes from back in New York. 
 
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