It’s an event that people with Down Syndrome and their families look forward to every year, and seeing them take part in it last February 23 at the SM North EDSA, it’s not hard to see why.

In the midst of all the people shopping on that Sunday morning were three marching bands, SM staff waving flags of support, as well as thousands of excited people holding up tarpaulins, waving flags, and brandishing balloons.

The event is the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines’ (DSAPI) annual Happy Walk, organized in celebration of the National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month. The Happy Walk aims to encourage parents of children with Down Syndrome to stand proud with their kids and help break any misconceptions the public may have about the situation of these kids with special needs. It’s also the culminating event of National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month, which included a visit to the Philippine Air Force’s Aerospace Museum, a golf tournament, an art exhibit, and a benefit dinner held last week.

This 12th Happy Walk was even bigger than last year’s, with more than 3,000 participants, and seemed a fitting way to celebrate DSAPI’S 22nd anniversary. The DSAPI, a non-stock, non-profit organization founded in 1991, aims to support families who have a child with Down Syndrome. It also aims to initiate, develop, promote, encourage, and support programs and projects involving Down Syndrome.

Aside from parading around SM North EDSA, participants in the event were also treated to booths and balloon twisters inside the SM North Skydome, a yoga class, numerous song and dance numbers, as well as a bubble show.

NO RANDOM OCCURENCE

At the event, DSAPI president Elmer Lapena lauded this year’s Happy Walk attendees, noting the value of their continued participation.

“Para sa mga hindi nakakaalam, ang Down Syndrome ay random genetic disorder. Ito ay nangyayari sa one in 800 na childbirths. Lahat tayo ngayon ay nandidito dahil sa one in 800 na childbirth na iyon. Ngunit wala naman sinabi na ‘yung one in 800 na ‘yan ay dapat magkita, magsama-sama, ng 22 taon,” remarks Lapena. “‘Yung pagkikita-kita natin ng 22 years, ‘yung paglalakad natin ng 12 years, itong pagsasama natin sa SM North EDSA for four years, ito ay hindi random na pangyayari. Ito ay ginawa dahil sa lahat ng tao na tumutulong sa atin, sa lahat ng tao na nagvo-volunteer para mangyari ito.”

On the other hand, DSAPI chairman Tony Pasia called on participants to also look beyond their own concerns and at other people with disabilities, as well as to parents who have already lost their children with Down Syndrome, who have also contributed to the continued success of Happy Walk.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga kapatid nating mga persons with disability. Hindi lang dapat ang particular nating organisasyon ang ating isipin, ngunit ang lahat ng mga kasama natin na mga persons with disability. May mga magulang din tayo dito na pumanaw na ang kanilang mga anak, pero nandito pa rin sila,” he says.

For their part, Engr. Bien Mateo, head of SM’s Program on Disability Affairs, applauded the group for helping realize the company’s flagship corporate social responsibility program, SM Cares.

SM Cares is a series of programs, campaigns, events and partnerships that ensure sustainable, social, and environment-conscious business operations. Under SM Cares is the Program on Disability Affairs, which is designed to help enable customers with special needs, as well as make their shopping experience easier, friendlier, and more enjoyable. Under the program, the company has already made its malls more accessible, removing physical barriers, installing handicap ramps and elevated walkways, parking, accessible phone booths and exclusive comfort rooms. The program has also sponsored the Autism Society of the Philippines’ Angels Walk alongside DSAPI’s Happy Walk.

“We are once again gathered here for the 2014 Happy Walk to promote awareness of Down Syndrome as well as a declaration of commitment to promote a judgment-free environment for persons with disabilities and have them be heard and recognized outside their homes. Thank you to our friends from DSAPI for giving us the opportunity to provide the venue. At SM Malls, no one gets left behind, and that includes people with disabilities. Thank you for inspiring us to care,” he says.