Michelle Dee naghatid inspirasyon sa autism community: ‘You’re not alone!’
PHOTO: Instagram/@michelledee
“BEING different is not easy,” pero para kay Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee, ang pagiging iba ay isang superpower!
Sa isang intimate press conference kasama ang BANDERA, muling ipinaramdam ni Michelle kung bakit siya ang reyna sa puso ng maraming Pinoy, lalo na sa mga pamilyang may miyembrong nasa autism spectrum.
Kasama ang Autism Society Philippines (ASP) at SM Cares, inanunsyo nila ang inaabangang “Angels Walk for Autism” na ginanap nitong Linggo, May 18, sa Mall of Asia Arena.
At guess what? Over 40,000 na ang rehistradong lalahok!
Baka Bet Mo: #SerbisyoBandera: Michelle Dee suportado ang Angels Walk 2025, lampas 40k ang sasali
Pero higit pa sa numbers ang laban ni Michelle dahil sa aming panayam, ibinahagi niya ang kanyang journey bilang ate sa dalawang kapatid na na may autism.
Nagbigay pa nga siya ng advice para sa mga magulang na nahihirapang tanggapin ang sitwasyon.
“Number one, early intervention. That’s the best thing you can do habang bata pa ‘cause then we can create a structured program that can help them live a fulfilled life. Siyempre, you want to make sure ‘yung foundations nila tama para paglaki nila andoon na ang lahat ng kailangan nila,” sey niya.
Patuloy pa ng beauty queen, “Pero siyempre, for those that are going through it right now, baka mas matanda ‘yung anak niyo o mas bata, just know that you’re not alone, you have thousands of people willing to help you, guide you, help you through whatever it is you are going through.”
Pagmamalaki pa ni Michelle, “That’s what I love about ASP, they’ve always guided me through, they are my mentors, they’ve helped me understand the things about my brothers and what I can do through their help and it’s completely free. Kaya you just have to knock on the doors and ask how we can help you and we have a chapter in almost every corner of the Philippines already kaya just know there’s always somebody willing to give you help.”
Nabanggit din ni Michelle sa presscon na kasama siya sa magiging highlight ng event.
Ayon sa kanya, may inihanda siyang pasabog na performance!
Hindi rin magpapahuli ang iba pang showbiz personalities na susuporta sa event na kung saan ay dadaluhan ito nina Melanie Marquez, Janice de Belen, Candy Pangilinan, Rhian Ramos at marami pang iba.
At ang Angels Walk, ayon kay Michelle, ay hindi lang basta parada –isa itong paninindigan.
“It’s not just about strength in numbers, it’s about strength in purpose,” wika niya.
Aniya pa, “Because different is not easy, being different means ignoring what everyone else is what telling you to do and believing that what you’re doing is right, and I know that in my heart what I’ve been doing with ASP is good, we’re affecting thousands of lives.”
At this year’s walk, spotlight din ang mga talented individuals sa spectrum pagdating sa sining at musika.
Ngayon, may 106 chapters na ang ASP at mahigit 16,000 members nationwide.
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