Michelle Dee is bringing her advocacy for autism consciousness, acceptance, and inclusivity on her journey as she vies for the highly-coveted Miss Universe crown.
In the most recent episode of “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” the Kapuso actress and newly-crowned Miss Universe Philippines queen defined why autism consciousness is near her coronary heart.
She launched her two brothers, Adam and Mazen, who’re each on the autism spectrum.
“It’s always been a life-long advocacy for me to advocate for autism awareness, autism acceptance, and inclusivity,” Michelle stated. “From education to healthcare to governments giving people with disabilities the proper opportunities, kulang pa talaga.”
(“There are not enough opportunities given to people with disabilities.”)
As a real advocate, Michelle did her analysis and expressed her concern concerning the alarming statistics on folks recognized with autism, which proves that her advocacy is each well timed and related not simply within the Philippines however worldwide.
“If 10 years ago, the statistics were 50 individuals on the spectrum, now it’s at 500,” she stated.
Michelle stated it pains her to see folks misunderstanding the conditions of these throughout the spectrum.
“The common terms would be like, ‘retarded’ or ‘stupid’ or ‘dysfunctional,'” she stated. “I always defended them if anything because that’s what we do with family. But at the same time, it was so frustrating for me to see how they were being treated.”
She additionally shared how individuals who fall within the autism spectrum, together with her two brothers, are topic to bullying.
“You kind of just see them wondering na lang alone because they couldn’t connect with anyone,” Michelle stated.
For Michelle, her brothers Mazen and Adam are two gifted people who function blessings of their household.
“Mazen can solve [a] 5-piece puzzle in less than a day. Adam will not forget your birthday as soon as you meet him. He’s like a human calendar,” she stated. “They’re both very gifted, and it’s just unfortunate that people don’t recognize that.”
During the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 coronation night time, her brothers had been nothing however supportive.
“They were just jumping up and down like whenever Makati would be called. It’s like they really understood that I was competing, not just for myself but also for them,” she stated.
Because of her brothers, Michelle has been lively in supporting organizations that push for autism consciousness and acceptance.
Last Thursday, Michelle visited Nanay Elvira, a 92-year-old grandmother who’s the only caretaker of Ronalyn, a 45-year-old girl who’s on the autism spectrum.
Their neighbor, Nanay Wilma, shared that Ronalyn was solely two years previous when Nanay Elvira took her in.
“Maliit pa siya nung pinaampon. Habang lumalaki siya may iba, dun ko pina-check. Sinabi nila she’s an autistic. May mga nagsasabi noon, ‘Give her up’. Hindi ko ‘yun magagawa. Paano kung mapunta siya sa mga kamay na hindi mabuti?”
(“When she was growing up, we noticed something different about her and had her checked. They said that she’s on the autism spectrum. There were people that said, ‘Give her up’. I couldn’t do that. What if something bad was to happen to her?”)
Widowed, Nanay Elvira needed to depend on meals donations from their neighbors more often than not.
“Alam ninyo ba ‘yun din ang naiisip ko, halimbawa mawala ako, paano siya? Naisip ko rin ‘yan, kung sinong pupuntahan ko, ihabilin ko. ‘Pag nakikita ko siya, awa ang unang pumapasok sa isip ko, sa puso ko. Hindi ko ma-explain kung gaano ko kamahal.”
(“Sometimes, I wonder, ‘What if I’m no longer here? Who’s going to take care of her?’ I can’t explain how much I care for her.”)
Michelle, together with the KMJS group, supplied Nanay Elvira and Ronalyn with new home goods and toiletries.
The group additionally had Nanay Elvira and Ronalyn checked on by docs.
“Ang dapat nagma-manage diyan ay mismong magulang. In that case, medyo may edad na po si lola, di ba, at mukhang wala talagang pwedeng mag-handle. So it is one of our dreams of ASP na magkaroon ng tinatawag na mga adult home.And dito sa Pilipinas kokonti lang po yan,” Dang Koe, Chairman Emerita of Autism Society Philippines, shared.
(“In an ideal situation, Rona’s parents would be the one to care for her. But in her case, there’s no one else who can take on this responsibility. That’s why at Autism Society Philippines, we hope that there would also be adult homes.”)
For Rona, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee had some encouraging phrases to share.
“Rona, lumaban ka lang ha? May silbi ka sa buhay. Dapat laging mabait sa kapwa. Dapat lahat ng gawin natin, puno ng pag-ibig, huwag ka mag-alala, dadating din ang tulong.”
(“Keep fighting, Rona. You matter in this world. In everything that we do, let’s do it with love. Don’t worry because help is on its way.”)
With the Miss Universe Philippine crown on her head and her agency advocacy in place, Michelle is ready to characterize the nation on the worldwide stage at El Salvador later this yr. —JCB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
