Girl with ‘brittle bone disease’ shows true grit

Best friends. Jean Laurence Balingit (left) chats with her best friend and classmate Jovelyn Vender during their graduation from junior high school in Pangan-an Island, Lapu-Lapu City. The two hope to attend the same senior high school in the mainland this year. (SunStar Foto/Allan Cuizon)
Best friends. Jean Laurence Balingit (left) chats with her best friend and classmate Jovelyn Vender during their graduation from junior high school in Pangan-an Island, Lapu-Lapu City. The two hope to attend the same senior high school in the mainland this year. (SunStar Foto/Allan Cuizon)

JEAN Laurence Balingit, 17, stood out from the rest of the graduates in Pangan-an Island in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday morning.

Most of the graduates in Pangan-an Elementary School and Pangan-an High School were flanked by their parents when they went up on stage.

In Balingit’s case, she was carried by her father, then remained in her stroller while she received her diploma.

Balingit has lived with osteogenesis imperfecta, which is also known as the brittle bone disease, all her life. She cannot walk and has been using her stroller whenever she goes to school.

There, she proved that with determination and perseverance, a dream like finishing one’s studies is within reach.

“Akoa ra man gu’ng determinasyon sa akong kaugalingon. Wa man ko moingon nga kapoy (I was determined. I never said I was tired),” said Balingit.

Forty high school and 69 elementary pupils graduated in Pangan-an this year. Balingit had to attend high school there because there wasn’t one in the neighboring island of Caohagan, where she’s a resident.

Balingit received two medals for her perfect attendance and for placing third in the district and school level of a Nutri Quiz. She also received a ribbon as an award for her conduct.

Also behind the success of Balingit is her 16-year-old best friend and classmate, Jovelyn Vender.

What she wants next

Vender comes from Pangan-an and it was she who told Balingit’s parents that Jean Laurence can live in the Vender family’s home during weekdays. Vender took care of Balingit, including assisting her when taking a bath. She also carried her or pushed her stroller in their four years in junior high school.

They have decided to attend the same senior high school in Barangay Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City. Their parents have agreed the girls will stay in the same boarding house.

Balingit wants to be a lawyer. If not that, she said, “Mag-madre man ko (I might become a nun).”

“Wa man gud ko’y laing mapilian nga kurso (There isn’t any other course I can choose).” Tears welled up in her eyes as she said this.

She urged out-of-school youth to strive and find good jobs so they can help their families. It was a double celebration yesterday for her family, as Balingit’s 12-year-old sister, Alejah Grace, graduated from elementary school in Caohagan.

Roel, Balingit’s father, said he still has to ask the school officials in Marigondon if they will let her attend classes there.

“Basig makakuha mi og duol nga balay. Maningkamot mi sa among kutob mahimo (We hope to get a house near the school. We’ll do everything we can),” said Roel. Roel, a seafood vendor, added that he and his wife will do everything for their children, especially for Jean Laurence, knowing how determined she is to finish her studies.

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