Four residents of Elsie Gaches Village (EGV) brought joy and pride to the country after excelling in their respective sports and bagging the bronze medals during the Special Olympics World Games held in Los Angeles, California from July 25 to August 2, 2015.
Teresita Valentino, Head of EGV, said that the center and Department of Social Welfare and Development- National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) are very proud on the achievements of their residents namely: Catherine Uy, Michael Jordan, Ryan Ilaya and Arjay Gala. The children were accompanied by Ms. Valentino.
Uy got 5th place in bowling among 8 countries; Jordan bagged the bronze medal in 400 Meter Run in Division 21; while Ryan Ilaya and Arjay Gala also got the bronze medal after winning over American Samoa in Unified Team, Football 5 A Side competitions.
“They have shown to the world what they can do. We have recognized their capabilities and skills, and we will continuously support their endeavors.” Valentino expressed.
Special Olympics World Games aims to provide year-round sports training and athletic competitions in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adult with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community.
The 2015 Games feature competitions in aquatics, gymnastics, track and field, basketball, football (soccer) and many other summer sports involving 6,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities from around the world.
Meanwhile, EGV is a governmental residential care facility managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) for the mentally challenged persons located at Muntinlupa City. It provides care and rehabilitation to abandoned, neglected children with special needs such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, visual and hearing impairment, mental retardation, autism and other related illnesses. ###