Angels Walk for Autism 2018 Overview

Last Sunday, we woke up early to have breakfast at the nearby fast food then went to MOA Arena for the Angels Walk for Autism 2018.

I am familiar with this event, but it’s only this year that we participated. My son’s school was the one who initiated for us to join as part of my son’s adaptation activity.

We arrived at the venue around 7am in the morning and oh boy! we weren’t expecting to see a long line of families supporting the said event.

The event started with a program, wherein selected kids with autism performed on stage. I was so proud of them. After that, the Autism Society of the Philippines headed by Ms. Mona Veluz welcomed and thanked honorary guests like Mr. Hans Sy who sponsored the venue and continually supports the advocacy, senator Rizza Honteveros, celebrity guest and a special mom Ms. Candy Pangilinan and more.

They also gave awards to professionals who are a big part in raising and helping kids with autism to be the best that they can be like Developmental Pediatricians, Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, SPED teachers and of course, special parents.

Around 10:30 in the morning, we went out the MOA Arena and started the walk. The end area was just the Music Hall.

OVERVIEW

Although there were at least 20,000 registered guests inside MOA Arena, we didn’t have any problems falling in line. Entering the area was fast, I commend the staff and organizers for that.

The program flow was smooth also. Personally, I would like to specially mention SM Cares for making their malls PWD friendly. SM is the dominant mall in the country, this is the go to place of most families. Training their staff to be more considerate and understand the special needs of not only kids but also adults with autism is highly appreciated.

Kudos to all the companies who also accepts PWD individuals and hire them in spite of their disabilities.

As a special family, I’m thankful that there are organizations who are active in making events like this. My only wish is that more and more neurotypical people will be aware of what’s Autism is, accept them, accommodate and try to understand their difference.

SUGGESTIONS

According to some parents who attended this event before, the walk goes first before the program, but the organizers swapped it perhaps when they realized that some families go home after the walk and do not attend the program anymore. It was a happy coincidence that it was cloudy last Sunday which makes walking around 1030am not that uncomfortable.

I was hoping that next time, they can ask some companies to sponsor gift packs or loot bags to give to families at the end of the walk.

….. I will post my son’s vlog here once we’re done editing it 🙂