Tags: Inspirational Stories
By Alexander Villafania
PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA – Marc Daniel Amuyot is already looking forward to attending high school after graduating from the P. Villanueva Elementary School.
Marc graduated third honor in his Grade 6 class and seems to be a normal kid with exceptional skills. Indeed, he does. Marc is already 15 years old and is a special child with a mild case of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
Despite his condition, Marc proved to be among those who have successfuly hurdled past the issues of being a child with special needs. He graduated with honors in a regular class, a feat not often seen in many schools in the Philippines.
Although not part of any regular athletic organizations, Marc has also played well in basketball competitions alongside normal players in his barangay in Pasay City.
In fact, Marc hopes that one day, he’ll become the first Filipino to join the National Basketbal Assocation (NBA).
Just a few days short of his graduation in the normal school of P. Villanueva, Marc gave a speech at the P. Villanueva’s Special Education school where he attended three of his grade school years in order to manage his condition.
Marc addressed an entire batch of children with special needs graduating this year, telling them that with the right intervention from the parents and the school, they would also become good members of a normal society.
Marcelino Amuyot, Marc’s father, said that they knew Marc would be special the day he was born. Marcelino and his wife have been trying to conceive a child but Porcefina, Marc’s mother, always had miscarriages. Add to that the fact that both were in their advanced years.
The elder Amuyot said that they’ve finally found out that Marc had mild ADHD when he was diagnosed at 6 years old prior to to attending kindergarten. At that time, the elder Amuyot said his son was still able to pay attention to teachers.
“As he reached Grade 2, he was still able to study well. But at Grade 3, his condition somewhat worsened especially since the teacher at that time wasn’t told how to handle such a child.”
The parents moved Marc to P. Villanueva Elementary School in Pasay City, one of the few institutions in the Philippines that had both regular schooling and a special education (SPED) facilities in one place.
In an interview, Marc said that he was lucky for having experienced how to feel normal in a school. He said that many of his friends were normal students who did not malign him despite having ADHD and even being older than most of his classmates.
He stated that many of them showed patience and understanding even as he struggled through his own challenges.
“Mabait sila lahat sa akin. Parang ngang normal na rin ako sa pagtingin nila (They all treated me well and they even saw me as someone normal),” Marc said.
As for the future, Marc said that there are still many people with special needs. He said that he also hopes to help them someday and ensure that their rights are kept. Thus, he said he plans to take up political science as a course in college.
“If I’m not going to be a basketball player, I want to be a politician who will help everyone, not just those with special needs. This is to show that people like me can be just as important members of the society,” Marc said.
Related stories:
Disability did not stop blind masseur from making a decent living
Pinay top powerlifter rises from the wheelchair
Public schools pilot Web learning app for kids with autism
Accidents and Tragedies Administration Cooperatives Crime and Punishment Elections Environment Filipinos Abroad General News Government Agencies Government Offices Inspirational Stories Judiciary Labor and Employment Legislation Military NGOs and foundations non-government organizations and foundations People Power and Edsa Politics Poverty Public Holidays and Celebration Typhoons and Natural Disasters Typhoons and natural disaters Water Electricity and Utilities
WP Cumulus Flash tag cloud by Roy Tanck and Luke Morton requires Flash Player 9 or better.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
