It’s February.
That means a lot to me.
Not just because it’s the month of the birth of my first son. Not just because it’s the month of love and Valentine’s Day. But because here in the Philippines, it’s also Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
Having a kid with Down Syndrome is like being in a “Special Club.” We even have our very own colors. If you noticed, even my jewel toned owls are celebrating colors in blue and yellow!
All through out the month, the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines will be hosting a variety of events to promote awareness for our children. I will do my best to keep you all abreast of our gatherings, large and small, in case you want to come out and support my Gellibean and all of the other kids who are gifted with an extra chromosome here in the Philippines.
Be on the look out for these major activities that will take place on the following dates:
MAJOR EVENTS:
• Feb. 7 : 11th “Tee-Up for Down” (DSAPI Golf Cup) at the Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club. Shotgun Tee-off at 8am. Pre-confirmation required.
• Feb. 9 : A Day with the Philippine Air Force at the Villamor Air Base, Pasay City, 9am-1pm
• Feb. 22 : 4th “Look Up for Down” (Art Exhibit) at the Powerplant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City, 6pm-9pm
• Feb. 23 : 12th Happy Walk “Living it Up with Down – Party All Day!“ at the Skydome, SM City North EDSA, 8am-4pm
• Feb. 28 : 1st “Dine for Down” at 1521, Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, 6pm-9pm
So MARK YOUR CALENDARS for these really fun events, and please drop me a line if you or your company is interested in sponsoring an activity, a hole during the DSAPI Golf Cup, or you would like to donate goods and services to help make any of these activities more fun for the participants. You can email me at mish@mommanmanila.com 🙂
For now, I will leave you with this pic of Gelli that The Picture Company photographer was able to shoot of her and that was lovingly edited by a fellow parent that just makes this photo all the more special for me.
Feel free to check the DSAPI Facebook page for any information or to help create awareness for our loved ones who have Down Syndrome. There is even a facebook page dedicated to all the activities for our “Living it up with Down” celebration.
It’s the little things that we can do every day, (not just during the month of February) which show support for children all around the world who have designer genes. But it’s during the entire month of February, that we make an extra special effort to help our children by creating positive educational experiences so that people here in the Philippines will understand Down Syndrome and break down the stereotypes and discrimination that comes with a lack of awareness.
