Looking Back With Pride
by Cynthia C. Manzaneres
Lia, our special child, has been the family's main focus for the past 22 years now. She has so many interests (music, sports and socialization), and developed a special liking for basketball and badminton. Lia tried out and made her school's mainstream basketball team as a point guard in interschool competitions, but she couldn't compete in Special Olympics Philippines basketball because there were no women's teams. That was when she decided to compete in badminton.
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Lia Manzaneres with momentos from Special Olympics Games, which she brought to school to encourage her classmates, who are also children with special needs, to participate in Special Olympics events. |
It was a nerve-wracking experience for us (her family) when she competed at the Special Olympics Philippines National Games for the first time in 2004 because she faced competitors accompanied by official coaches and friends/townmates (as cheer leaders) while she only had me (her mother) as coach and cheer leader (her father had to be at work and her brother could not skip school). But Lia did us proud as she won her first gold medal, which she brought to school to encourage her classmates, who are also children with special needs, to participate in Special Olympics events.
Lia began training, and in 2006 it paid off when she accepted the challenge of competing with a new partner in the 2006 National Games. We went home with voices hoarse from cheering, but with great pride and joy because Lia won three more gold medals in badminton and the privilege of representing Special Olympics Philippines in the World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.
In October 2007, Lia left for China with the Special Olympics Philippines delegation. With much anxiety, we saw her off with the team. It was the first time she had been away from us for more than one day. A week later, I took leave from work and went to Shanghai to play the role of fan and cheerleader.
It was my first experience at a Special Olympics World Games, and I didn't know what to expect. When I saw Lia after a week of missing and worrying about her, I found that I had no reason to worry after all. She was enjoying herself tremendously, having met new friends. She told me about her experiences with the volunteers and athletes from other countries and the places she had been. I felt good for her.
When it was time for her matches, my anxiety level went a notch higher. Lia had specifically asked me not to shout my cheers as this might cause her to lose focus, so I clapped my hands until they turned red so she would know I was there for her. Win or lose, I embraced her and gave her words of endearment and encouragement.
The long walk and train rides to Baoshan (the province in Shanghai where the badminton event was held) and my red palms were worth it because Lia won two medals - a silver medal in Mixed Doubles and a bronze medal in Women's Singles.
Lia's accomplishment did not go unnoticed. Her father and brother, who had stayed in the Philippines, called every night to find out how she had done and kept all our friends informed. Every relative and friend knew of Lia's medals even before we got back to the Philippines.
Her school posted pictures of her on the bulletin board and gave her a bouquet during a school-wide program. I made a scrapbook of her experiences in China which we proudly showed to relatives. Her brother, a varsity badminton player in one of the universities here, proudly shares his sister's accomplishment with his friends and classmates. He never misses the opportunity to show them Lia's medals and scrapbook!
Lia's shining moment has made her a better person, ready to take on new challenges and face her future with greater confidence. As her family, we are proud and happy for Lia. We believe that with God's blessings and our support, Lia can prepare for her future as a self-sufficient and productive person.
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