SO Pilipinas impact on individuals with intellectual disabilities is at the forefront of shaping special needs advocacy in the Philippines.
SO Pilipinas impact on individuals with intellectual disabilities is at the forefront of shaping special needs advocacy in the Philippines. Whether it’s individuals with intellectual disabilities winning medals or parents discovering new ways to educate, the impact of Special Olympics Pilipinas extends well beyond sports success.
Through a series of questions, explore more about the values driving SO Pilipinas’ unique journey and the concrete ways we contribute to the advocacy for intellectual disability in the Philippines.
Why Address the SO Pilipinas Impact on Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities?
Globally, 10% of the population live with a disability. Despite this significant presence, individuals with disabilities still encounter unfair discrimination, leading to exclusion from various aspects of life. In the Philippines, laws like the Magna Carta for Persons With Disabilities fall short of addressing the ongoing challenges faced by Filipinos with intellectual disabilities.
Even with legal protections, discrimination persists, and the expected social benefits for regular workers remain hard to attain. The idea that people with intellectual disabilities can’t contribute effectively to society is a misunderstanding that fuels this discrimination.
The United Nations had already previously stressed the positive impact of empowering individuals with disabilities, noting how their involvement benefits entire communities. But to change societal views, we need better implementation of existing laws and increased public awareness to erase the social stigma that individuals in this marginalized sector still endure.
Why use sports to champion social inclusion?
While sports may not entirely erase societal stigma, they serve as a potent platform for marginalized individuals to reshape their lives. Special Olympics Pilipinas, established in 2021, is dedicated to empowering Filipinos with intellectual disabilities through competitive sports, challenging societal norms, and fostering inclusion.
This impactful initiative can be traced back to its visionary founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who, fueled by a commitment to justice, initiated Camp Shriver in 1962. This event laid the groundwork for the inaugural International Special Olympics Games in 1968. Special Olympics Pilipinas continues this legacy by extending opportunities to Filipinos with intellectual disabilities, contributing to a more inclusive sports industry, and offering meaningful experiences to individuals in the Philippines.
How do sports benefit persons with intellectual disabilities?
The key benefits of sports involvement for persons with intellectual disabilities are manifold. Firstly, it brings about various physical benefits for individuals with intellectual disabilities. This includes improved cardiovascular fitness, weight management, balance, and enhanced strength.
Beyond the physical gains, Special Olympics Pilipinas recognizes the pivotal role of sports in emotional and mental well-being. Athletes with intellectual disabilities showcase transformative journeys that show improved confidence. Personal success through sports is an effective way for self-expression and growth.
Sports also serve as a powerful platform for challenging societal stigmas and promoting social integration. This extends beyond physical activity, contributing to broader societal acceptance. Achieving success in Special Olympics Pilipinas involves collaboration among families, athletes, coaches, and volunteers. Coaches guide members to discover their strengths, while volunteers generously contribute their time to support various activities.
How are we advancing special needs advocacy in the Philippines?
At the heart of Special Olympics Pilipinas are powerful stories. The organization’s impact shines through stories of families turning challenges into opportunities for growth. Take Joan Iven Jamora-Abello, who transitioned from her corporate career to pursue a master’s in special education after her son Akim was diagnosed with ASD and ADHD. Akim excelled in swimming through SOP, showcasing how sports positively influence character and resilience.
Olympian Akiko Thomson-Guevara faced the surprise of her daughter Sachiko being diagnosed with Down syndrome. Despite initial fear, Sachiko became a source of joy. As the Board Chair of Special Olympics Pilipinas, Akiko promotes inclusivity, emphasizing SO Pilipinas’ impact on individuals with intellectual disabilities.
While the world cheers for Hidilyn Diaz, a 17-person Filipino delegation, including athletes with intellectual disabilities, secured gold, silver, and bronze medals from international competitions like the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023.
We believe in putting faces to the advocacy, enriching a global movement with true-to-life tales of hope, perseverance, and success.
Be Part of the Movement
Change takes time, but collective efforts bring it closer to reality. Special Olympics Pilipinas contributes by empowering athletes with intellectual disabilities through sports. Our regular sports clinics, events, and activities, supported by volunteers and private organizations, aim to help these individuals realize their full potential as a valued community members. Learn more about us here.
Make a statement and show your support for people with intellectual disabilities by wearing these shirts. All proceeds will go to funding and sustaining our programs for our athletes with intellectual disabilities. Ready to wear your support? Dive into the collection here.
You can also gift Special Olympics Pilipinas something extraordinary by donating your Globe Reward points on the Globe One App! Your points will help us create and maintain programs that help people with intellectual disabilities overcome social stigma through sports.
Donate by following these steps:
1. Download the GlobeOne app and log in
2. Tap on Rewards points
3. Search for Pilipinas Special Olympics
4. Select the denomination of points you want to donate
5. Confirm your donation
The holiday is more fruitful with the gift of giving!
Uwezo wa watu wenye ulemavu wa akili ni muhimu katika kuunda utetezi wa mahitaji maalum nchini Ufilipino. Uwezo wa watu wenye ulemavu wa akili ni muhimu katika kuunda utetezi wa mahitaji maalum nchini Ufilipino. Iwe ni watu wenye ulemavu wa akili kushinda medali au wazazi kugundua njia mpya za kuelimisha, athari ya Olimpiki Maalum ya Philippines inaenea zaidi ya mafanikio ya michezo. Kupitia mfululizo wa maswali, tafuta zaidi juu ya maadili yanayoendesha safari ya kipekee ya SO Pilipinas na njia halisi tunazochangia utetezi wa ulemavu wa akili nchini Ufilipino. Kwa nini kushughulikia athari za SO Pilipinas kwa Watu wenye Ulemavu wa Akili? Kwa ujumla, asilimia 10 ya watu duniani wanaishi na ulemavu. Licha ya uwepo huu mkubwa, watu wenye ulemavu bado wanakabiliwa na ubaguzi usio wa haki, unaosababisha kutengwa na nyanja mbalimbali za maisha. Sheria kama vile Magna Carta kwa ajili ya watu wenye ulemavu hazijakidhi changamoto zinazowakabili watu wenye ulemavu wa akili. Hata na ulinzi wa kisheria, ubaguzi unaendelea, na faida za kijamii zinazotarajiwa kwa wafanyakazi wa kawaida bado ni ngumu kufikia. Wazo kwamba watu wenye ulemavu wa akili hawawezi kuchangia kwa ufanisi katika jamii ni kutoelewa ambayo huchochea ubaguzi huu. Umoja wa Mataifa tayari umesisitiza athari nzuri ya kuwezesha watu wenye ulemavu, ukiona jinsi ushiriki wao unavyostahili jamii nzima. Lakini ili kubadilisha maoni ya jamii, tunahitaji utekelezaji bora wa sheria zilizopo na kuongezeka kwa ufahamu wa umma ili kufuta utata wa kijamii ambao watu katika sekta hii ya kutengwa bado wanateseka. Kwa nini kutumia michezo kuunga mkono ujumuishaji wa kijamii? Ingawa michezo inaweza kuwa haifanyi kabisa stigma ya kijamii, hutumika kama jukwaa lenye nguvu kwa watu waliotengwa ili kubadili maisha yao. Special Olympics Pilipinas, iliyoanzishwa mnamo 2021, imejitolea kuwezesha Wafilipino wenye ulemavu wa akili kupitia michezo ya ushindani, changamoto za kanuni za jamii, na kukuza ujumuishaji. "Mwanzoni mwa mwaka wa 1962, mwanzilishi wa kambi hiyo, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, alianzisha ""Kambi ya Shriver.""" Mwaka 1968 ilifanyika sherehe ya kwanza ya michezo ya Olimpiki ya Kimataifa ya Watu wa Hali ya Asili. Special Olympics Philippines inaendelea urithi huu kwa kupanua fursa kwa Wafilipino wenye ulemavu wa akili, kuchangia sekta ya michezo ya ujumuishaji zaidi, na kutoa uzoefu wenye maana kwa watu binafsi nchini Ufilipino. Michezo ina faida gani kwa watu wenye ulemavu wa akili? Faida kuu za kushiriki katika michezo kwa watu wenye ulemavu wa akili ni nyingi. Kwanza, huleta faida mbalimbali za kimwili kwa watu wenye ulemavu wa akili. Hilo latia ndani kuboresha uwezo wa moyo, kudhibiti uzito, usawaziko, na kuongeza nguvu. Zaidi ya faida za kimwili, Olimpiki Maalum ya Philippines inatambua jukumu muhimu la michezo katika ustawi wa kihisia na kiakili. Wanariadha wenye ulemavu wa akili huonyesha safari za mabadiliko ambazo zinaonyesha imani iliyoimarika. Mafanikio ya kibinafsi kupitia michezo ni njia yenye ufanisi ya kujieleza na kukua. Michezo pia hutumika kama jukwaa lenye nguvu la kupinga stigmas za kijamii na kukuza ushirikiano wa kijamii. Hii inaenea zaidi ya shughuli za kimwili, kuchangia kukubalika kwa jamii pana. Kufanikiwa katika Michezo ya Olimpiki ya Maalum ya Filipino huhusisha ushirikiano kati ya familia, wanariadha, makocha, na wajitoleaji. Wazoezi huwaongoza washiriki kugundua nguvu zao, huku wajitoleaji wakitoa wakati wao kwa ukarimu ili kuunga mkono shughuli mbalimbali. Jinsi gani tunaendeleza utetezi wa mahitaji maalum nchini Ufilipino? Katika moyo wa Olimpiki Maalum ya Filipino kuna hadithi zenye nguvu. Athari ya shirika hilo inaangaza kupitia hadithi za familia zinazobadilisha changamoto kuwa fursa za ukuaji. Joan Iven Jamora-Abello, ambaye alijiuzulu kutoka kazi yake ya ushirika ili kufuatilia shahada ya uzamili katika elimu maalum baada ya mwanawe Akim kugunduliwa na ASD na ADHD. Akim alishinda katika kuogelea kupitia SOP, akionyesha jinsi michezo inavyoathiri tabia na uvumilivu. Mwanariadha wa Olimpiki Akiko Thomson-Guevara alikabiliwa na mshangao wa binti yake Sachiko kugunduliwa kuwa na ugonjwa wa Down. Licha ya hofu ya awali, Sachiko akawa chanzo cha shangwe. Akiwa Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya Olimpiki Maalum ya Philippines, Akiko huendeleza ujumuishaji, akisisitiza athari za SO Pilipinas kwa watu wenye ulemavu wa akili. Huko Ufilipino, waandamanaji 17 wa taifa hilo, wakiwemo wanariadha wenye ulemavu wa akili, wamepata medali za dhahabu, fedha na shaba katika mashindano ya kimataifa kama vile Michezo ya Olimpiki ya Dunia ya Berlin 2023. Tunaamini katika kuweka nyuso kwa utetezi, kutajirisha harakati ya kimataifa na hadithi za kweli za maisha ya matumaini, uvumilivu, na mafanikio. Kuwa Sehemu ya Harakati Mabadiliko huchukua muda, lakini juhudi za pamoja hufanya iwe karibu na ukweli. Olimpiki Maalum ya Philippines inachangia kwa kuwawezesha wanariadha wenye ulemavu wa akili kupitia michezo. Kliniki zetu za kawaida za michezo, matukio, na shughuli, zinazoungwa mkono na wajitoleaji na mashirika ya kibinafsi, zinalenga kusaidia watu hawa kutambua uwezo wao kamili kama wanachama wa jamii wenye thamani. Jifunze zaidi juu yetu hapa. Weka taarifa na uonyeshe msaada wako kwa watu wenye ulemavu wa akili kwa kuvaa mashati haya. Mapato yote yatakwenda kufadhili na kudumisha programu zetu kwa wanariadha wetu wenye ulemavu wa akili. Je, uko tayari kuvaa msaada wako? Chunguza mkusanyiko huo hapa. Unaweza pia zawadi Special Olympics Pilipinas kitu cha ajabu kwa kuchangia pointi yako ya Tuzo ya Globe kwenye Programu ya Globe One! Pointi zako zitatuwezesha kuunda na kudumisha programu ambazo husaidia watu wenye ulemavu wa akili kushinda utata wa kijamii kupitia michezo. Unaweza kutoa mchango kwa kufuata hatua hizi: Download programu ya GlobeOne na kuingia kwenye mtandao. Piga kwenye pointi ya Tuzo 3. Tafuta kwa ajili ya Olimpiki maalum ya Philippines 4. Chagua jina la pointi unataka kutoa 5. Thibitisha mchango wako Sikukuu ni yenye kuzaa matunda zaidi kwa zawadi ya kutoa!