“LOOK at the child as a child first and his disability second.” These are the words of French Pediatrician, Dr. Jerome Lejeune who discovered the chromosome for Down syndrome on unborn babies.
His discovery led into a movement to help babies diagnosed with Down syndrome which became his legacy. Dr. Lejeune’s words became a motivation for a lot of people across the world. This same words of motivation inspired the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI) - Davao Branch to successfully take a leap and reach Philippines’ highest peak, Mt. Apo, three years ago.
This milestone, particularly the story of Alvin Redulosa who is the first person with Down syndrome to reach the highest peak of Mt. Apo, became an inspiration for many people.
With the massive forest fire that hit Mt. Apo last March 2016, the DSAPI-Davao Branch, in partnership with Energy Development Cooperation (EDC), conducted their tree-planting activity on the affected areas of the mountain in October this year to help continue the rehabilitation of the area.
The organization takes pride to be the first documented PWD sector that took part in Mt. Apo’s rehabilitation. Another highlight of the successful activity was the presence of three boys with Down syndrome who joined the event: Alvin Redulosa, Joaquin T. Esacrilla (10 years old) and five-year-old Emmanuel Emata - the youngest person to reach the peak of Mt. Apo with his father Erwin Emata, the first Filipino to reach the top of Mt. Everest. ROX and Columbia sponsored the gears for the activity.
Fifteen other volunteers also joined the activity.
This milestone would not be possible without the generous people who continued to support DSAPI, a non-stock, non-profit organization.
It is founded in 1991 by a group of dedicated parents and concerned physicians who aimed to offer support to families who have a child with Down Syndrome and to initiate, develop, promote, encourage and support programs and projects concerning Down Syndrome.
In October 1997, the couple Mr. Antonio M. Brias and Mrs. Maricris F. Brias opened the DSAPI-Davao Branch to provide help and other services to families in Davao and other parts of the region who have a child with Down syndrome. Its office is located at the 2nd floor of Market Basket, Damosa Complex, Lanang, Davao City. (PR)