A Message of Hope

By: Cathy Genovia, ASP Volunteer

There’s no questions asked on how a parent feels once they saw their child step up the stage and received his diploma. It is also a parent’s pride to tell the world that their child finally finished one chapter in his life in school… even in special school.

ASP Chair Emeritus, Dang Koe was invited to give an inspirational speech during the Recognition Day of Neurodevelopmental Center in Cavite and Children’s Developmental and Intervention Center of Lipa in Batangas.

Chair Emeritus Dang Koe giving messages

“Ako po ay isang stage mother. So when I became a mother, kasama po sa mga in-expect kong big events para sa aking mga anak ay ang recognition day, like what we are having today. Of course, I never imagined na ang unang recognition day na a-attend-an ko for my panganay will be in a special school, like your school. Yes, my Gio Danniel is in the autism spectrum disorder”. Dang Koe’s opening salvo.

Gio Danniel Koe, 17, is the eldest son of Dang Koe. After Gio was diagnosed with autism, She started to value the support given to her by other parents who are also in the spectrum, that’s why she like to give back the support to parents of batch 2011 who were present during the two Recognition Day celebration.

Just like in Autism Society Philippines (ASP), wherein Dang Koe served as the National President for three consecutive terms and now was appointed as the Chair Emeritus for her dedication to the society. ASP holds its regular monthly Family Support Group (FSG) meetings.

Since the graduates were all young and in their first step in reaching for their dreams, she unselfishly shared her journey and even her friend’s journey with autism and how they were able to cope with autism and proudly closed her speech with, “…And I know, just like us, you parents present today will also find the best in you because of the children we are recognizing today. Let us celebrate their victories, big or small. Let us love them, mainstreamed or not”.

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Families who have kids in the spectrum need someone who will understand them the most and will support them for they know they will and they will always be in the same boat. Autism Society Philippines will hold its monthly Family Support Group meeting on May 21. Click here for details.

Special thanks to Dr. Madeleine Sosa, the faculty and staff of Neurodevelopmental Center and Ms. Meanne Panganiban, Head of Children’s Developmental and Intervention Center of Lipa.