Down Syndrome is quite prevalent in the Philippines, with one in every 800 babies born with this condition. Also, it is a genetic condition in which a baby is born with an extra chromosome. Furthermore, the person with this condition has distinct facial features like a flattened face, nose, and upward-slanting eyes. They also have a simian crease which is a single palmar line that runs across the palm of the hand which is why most of the kids with this condition have difficulty in fine-motor activities.
February is National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month, which aims to raise awareness about the needs and abilities of people with Down Syndrome. We are all unique individuals, with differing looks, health needs, and intellectual abilities, the same can be applied to a person with Down Syndrome.
Elsie Gaches Village, an institution within the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the National Capital Region, provides care for individuals with Down syndrome. The Psychological Service provides a variety of programs for most residents such as behavioral training for children, as well as leisure activities that target and promote the well-being of the residents under the center’s care.
These activities allowed the residents to enhance the fine motor and social skills that they had learned through a series of group activity sessions. It also promotes awareness and equal opportunity for persons with Down syndrome and offers support to the residents.
On February 19, the flag ceremony marked the official opening of Down Syndrome Consciousness Week, with an activity called “Fact Ganern “. All staff members are participating in an online quiz about Down syndrome, in which all the questions were prepared by an intern.
On February 20, the Larong Pinoy activity was held, involving residents, interns, and Ms. Marillac Candidates. The event was part of their pageant criteria, allowing them to interact, mingle, and play with residents with special needs. These activities aim to hone social skills and teamwork, with the residents, interns, and Marillac candidates. They were grouped into five.
The first game was the Tumbang Preso, where they had to hit the tin can with their slippers, 2-3 feet away to earn a point. The second game was the Patintero, the objective of the game was to cross the rectangle back and forth without getting tagged. The third activity was the Sack Race, participants put both feet in a sack, keeping one hand on the sack. They hop towards a marked point, tag the next person, and repeat the course. The first team to complete the course wins.
On February 21, the activity involved residents making pancakes, fostering creativity, independence, and confidence. They cracked eggs, mixed ingredients, and cooked the batter in a pan. Interns and psychological staff assisted in flipping and cooking the pancakes, ensuring they were browned on both sides. This activity aimed to develop new skills or to improve their knowledge about this activity.
On February 29, the week’s final activity was the Grand Zumba, where residents with Down Syndrome and other residents participated in a dance competition. The event was prepared by the Psychological Service including interns as the Zumba Masters and began at 10:00 am and ended with the residents wearing their best outfits for the “Best Zumba Outfit” Award. Also, there were the Early Bird Award and Most Energetic Award.
The Psychological Service imparted the knowledge that being “different” does not hinder someone from participating in different activities that their peers can do. Individuals with Down syndrome typically take longer to learn new skills, it may require smaller steps, and repetition, and may require more structure in activities to work independently. The objectives of the activity were to break the negative associations with Down syndrome such as decreased muscle strength, stubbornness, and slowness. These kinds of events presented an excellent opportunity for them to showcase their potential, and with the support of those who care for them, they can also achieve greater things.
“Having Down syndrome means nothing to me, I’m special like everyone else. I do not let people judge me for having Down syndrome. The important thing is how I feel about myself. On the inside, I feel beautiful.”
– Edward Barbanell, Actor and Comedian
