Running for love

Last March 23, I participated in The Love Run, the second annual run for the benefit of the Cerebral Palsy (CP) children at the Quirino Grandstand at 5:30 a.m. I ran under the banner of Blue Cross, the insurance and healthcare company I’m associated with. When they asked me if I wanted to run, I said okay but I wasn’t sure if I could complete the five-kilometer run or just run until I could. I walk or run on the treadmill but that’s different. So I said, "Bahala na kung ano ang makakaya kong takbuhin."

I got there before 5:30 a.m., stretched for a long time and waited for the start of the run. When it did, I paced myself and just went on. After a while, I still felt okay so I decided to continue, challenging myself to finish the five-kilometer run. I just ran, stopping only to drink water at the drinking stations. Then I was at it again. It felt good knowing I had the stamina for it and that I was running for a cause. I believe that aside from challenging myself, I pushed even harder because the run’s proceeds would go to children who had cerebral palsy. One’s participation would help Philippine Cerebral Palsy, Inc. provide medical services such as physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy and special education, thereby giving children with CP hope to live a full, independent life. That was more than enough reason to finish the run. So I did after 40 minutes. Happy na ako. Others completed the 10-kilometer run and there was also a three-kilometer run for kids.

When the run was over, I assisted in giving some packages courtesy of Blue Cross. Then I met the people behind The Love Run.

Here is what I found out about CP. It is a brain-damaged condition usually acquired as a child. This affects the part of the brain responsible for controlling movement and the centers of the brain that control balance. Intellect is not always affected. In fact, about 50 to 70 percent of affected children have normal or near normal intelligence. CP is commonly caused by damage to the brain of a newborn. This most commonly occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen. CP is rarely hereditary and is not contagious. Is there a cure to CP? Unfortunately not. The damage to the brain is a permanent condition. If the damaged center controls a key area responsible for a specific function such as speech, that area is damaged forever. However, CP is not progressive. The undamaged areas of the brain remain permanently undamaged.

What is being done for CP in our country?Unfortunately there is no government program that deals with CP. There are some centers though that have child rehabilitation programs like the Lungsod ng Kabataan, Philippine Orthopedic Center and University of the Philippines Hospitals.There are also some private institutions that deal with CP like Stepping Stones and Teacher Mom and private hospitals like UST. But it is only the Philippine Cerebral Palsy, Inc. that extensively treats CP. The PCPI (formerly Elks Cerebral Palsy Project , Inc.) is a non-profit, non-government organization founded 38 years ago. It devotes itself entirely to treating CP cases in the Philippines. It sustains itself by donations, solicitations and fund-raising projects. All services are free of charge.

What is its mission? The PCPI wants to implement four programs: 1.) Public information – making the general public aware of CP, informing them of preventive measures and how to help children who have it; 2.) Developing a relevant treatment style relevant and applicable to the Philippines. The reality is that there are not enough doctors and therapists who can take care of CP patients, especially in the provinces. What the country needs is a style of treatment that is not complex and can be learned and applied by anyone who can read a book or manual on how children can be assessed and treated; 3.) Community-based rehabilitation, once this local treatment is fully developed. PCPI hopes to bring this to the provinces and encourage small communities to start their own therapy centers; and 4.) Training facility – PCPI will offer its center as a training facility for anyone or any community that wishes to acquire further training on how to treat children with CP.

If you wish to help PCPI, you may call tel. no. 895-1786. PCPI is located at Sacred Heart St. (formerly Dao St.), San Antonio Village, Makati City.

I was really glad I joined The Love Run. It not only made me realize I had the stamina to run but more than that, it made me aware of CP and how I – we – can help these children. I promised to run again and help in any way I can. I encourage you to do so, too. Any help you give will go a long way. Let us help make the lives of children with CP more meaningful.

E-mail me at: babyjackster@yahoo.com