Davao’s 13th ‘Happy Walk’ calls for Down syndrome awareness

DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES—The Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI) Davao Chapter marked its 13th year of holding the Happy Walk to increase peoples’ awareness and combat the stigma on Down syndrome.

Held on February 22, Sunday, members of the association convened at the Freedom Park along Roxas Avenue at 6:00 in the morning and walked towards People’s Park along Palma Gil Street, bringing with them their children affected with Down Syndrome.

Participants also had their Zumba session and games for their early morning activity.

DSAPI-Davao Branch Manager Lanie Vergara said they want to show the people that children with Down Syndrome should not be discriminated but should be seen according to their ability and not their disability.

DSAPI started the Happy Walk in 2002 when the then President Gloria Arroyo signed the Proclamation No. 157 declaring the month of February as “National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month.”

Vergara said the theme for this year’s Down syndrome consciousness month and 13th Happy Walk is “All for Down.”