Four residents of Elsie Gaches Village (EGV) brought joy and pride to the country after excelling in their respective sports and bagging bronze medals at the Special Olympics World Games held in Los Angeles, California from July 25 to August 2, 2015.
EGV is a residential care facility located in Muntinlupa City managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) for mentally challenged persons. It provides care and rehabilitation to abandoned and neglected children with special needs such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, visual and hearing impairment, mental retardation, autism, and other related illnesses.
DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman commended Catherine Uy, Michael Jordan, Ryan Ilaya, and Arjay Gala for their accomplishments. She said that these children should serve as inspiration for others as they have proven that through determination and confidence, children with special needs can also excel.
Catherine was 5th place in bowling among eight countries; Michael bagged the bronze medal in the 400 Meter Run; while Ryan and Arjay also got bronze medals after winning over American Samoa in Unified Team, Football 5 A Side competitions.
“These children have shown to the world what they can do. We recognize their capabilities and skills, and we will continue to support their endeavors,” Sec. Soliman said.
The Special Olympics World Games aims to provide year-round sports training and athletic competitions in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adult with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy. They also get to participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympic athletes, and the community.
The 2015 Games featured competitions in aquatics, gymnastics, track and field, basketball, football (soccer), and many other summer sports involving 6,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities from around the world. ###
