ASP UP CAMP Manila families had a community building event last 24 April 2016 at Star City at CCP Complex, Pasay City. Seven families, 23 ASP members total, experienced the attractions and truly enjoyed the bonding moment they had in the amusement park. The staff of Star City was very accommodating, helpful and considerate. They gave discounted rates and even assigned a marshal to assist and facilitate priority for the rides.
The kids -- children with autism (CWA) and their siblings -- and the parents/guardians enjoyed the rides. We discovered that this was the first time for some PWAs and even the parent to be in an amusement park.
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| Kids enjoying the ride in Star City |
The chapter organized the event to have a venue for the families to bond. The nature of some of the rides also satisfies the sensory needs of the CWAs – rides that were rotating, spinning, goes up and down, etcetera. Exposing the CWAs to the community can also make them develop their social skills, practice their waiting skills and requesting (asking for the next ride). At the end of the trip, each family has their own story to tell; but we are sure they enjoyed a lot.
Here are some of the comments of the participants to the trip to Star City:
“It was my son’s first time at Star City. Thinking he would not be able to bear the noise, we are ready to exit anytime. But it was so surprising he was able to tolerate the sounds and lights and actually enjoyed the rides suitable for him. He even enjoyed the bump car ride with us. We repeatedly rode Magic Forest, Grand Carousel, Giant Star Wheel, Pirate Adventure, and the two airplane rides (forgot the name of it). Seeing my son happy, we did not mind the time and we are equally happy. I appreciate the Star City for giving us (the group) a marshal/guide to lead us. Thank you also to our ASP UP CAMP Manila Chapter. It was a spectacular, joyful experience for Kimwel.”
“Napakasaya namin ni Gwyneth. Lahat ng rides, kahit nakakatakot, sinakyan namin. 8PM na kami nakaalis. Tapos try namin yung Lagim ng Dilim, kaming mag ina ang nauna at hindi kami
natakot. Lahat ng nasa likod namin panay tili. Nahilo kami sa Blizzard, sakit sa ulo pero ako
lang ang nasuka. Nanuod kami ng palabas. First time namin sa Star City.”
“Masaya. Balik pa tayo ulit. =) ”
About the contributor: Jennette F. Rodriguez, aka Mommy Jeng, is a mother to 3 kids, including a 13 year old boy with autism. She is currently the President of ASP UP CAMP Manila Chapter and a Parent-Volunteer at the Padre Gomez SPED Center. A graduate of BS Commerce major in Economics at University of Santo Tomas, she has assisted in organizing several events of the chapter and has given talks on Orientation on Autism and ASP to different schools and colleges, and PWD Ministries under the Archdiocese of Manila Ministry on Persons with Disabilities (AMMPD).
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