Hail Cesar

Cesar Veloria, just turn 11, young and vibrant kid, inspite of his disabilities got the surprised of his life during his 11th birthday last Sept. 24, 2010. Cesar is a victim of Osteogenesis Imperfecta and has been getting free therapy and medical attention with Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center (STAC) in Kalibo.

Some members of STAC, with Cesar’s benefactor – Megs Lunn, past president of Rotary and long time partner of STAC-Kalibo, jointly braved the crossing of the Lagatik River to visit Pinamuk-an Elementary School to give Cesar a surprise birthday bash. Cesar and his classmates were delighted with their unexpected presence. They were treated to a simple but sumptuous snacks and a birthday cake for Cesar. His classmates offered fresh flowers and love letters, as seen in the picture. It was a very touching sight for everyone.

He was greeted by some disabled kids who joined the fun. Not all disabled kid is lucky to get a birthday party. Almost everyone at STAC are indigent family and that a birthday celebration such as this, of which most of them are deprived of, is a rare blessing. The first time Cesar got his birthday celebration was also last 2009 when his benefactor gave him a birthday blast at Jollibee Gaisano, together with some invited disabled children and also Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Roxas.

Cesar loves to sing, dance, draw, color and collect cartoon characters. He is one of the three siblings who have the same case of Osteogenesis Imperfecta, while he has one normal sister. He is the eldest of the 4 siblings, two sisters and another youngest brother. His mother is a plain housekeeper while his father gets a partime fishing job to feed the family. They reside at Barangay Pinamuk-an, New Washington, Aklan. He is grade 5 pupil at Pinamuk-an Elementary School.

STAC has now 357 disabled children from 0-14 years of age. Cesar gets his free therapy for three years now on irregular basis as they cannot always afford the money for transportation from Pinamuk-an to STAC-Kalibo. Children with disabilities at STAC are in the same boat. They have the best opportunity to get treatment but their biggest problem is money for their transport. This situation hinders them to get a regular check-up. The people behind STAC work harder to get each kid a benefactor, to be able to help them with the regular therapy to give them the chance to live a better life.

For more details about STAC and your interest to “adopt” a disabled kid, please contact their Head-Physical Therapist - Ms. Joanna Tay-Meren at 09209206246 and check http://stackalibo.weebly.com for more details of their services./TE