On behalf of the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, I would like to tell Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago that her use of the word “mongoloid” to describe members of Congress was very unbecoming for a statesperson.
First, she denigrated our children with Down Syndrome by referring to them as “unintelligent, inefficient and unproductive.” In other words, she described our children as inutile and of no use to society. This, however, is not the case with our loving, sweet and “full of love” children. They have always shown how much they care for their parents, their siblings and other people. In fact, they manifest more humanity than “normal” people like us. They all have a heart and they all have a brain that they use to love and to care for others. Children with Down Syndrome are very functional and have truly shown other people their talents and intelligence, which are so obvious in the way they act and care.
I just wonder why the senator had to use this word. This was also used by the late Teodoro Benigno, and he never apologized even after his attention was called to it. He also called officials this word. He died without leaving a trace of love for these children. If only Santiago could be with us parents of children with Down Syndrome, she would see the smiles on the faces of our children, and they might even hug and kiss her. Not because she is lovable, but plainly because she is a human being.
Second, the members of Congress may be “unintelligent, inefficient and unproductive.” Using the word “mongoloid” to describe these “honorable men” has insulted us parents and the “honorable” children with Down Syndrome. The senator, if she comes to know more about the “extra chromosome” of these children, might even wish to have them. This extra chromosome makes our children more sensitive, more aware, more understanding of the traits of “normal” people. They have become a model of caring and love. Always smiling, always wanting to share what they have, not what they don’t have. I can go on and on.
An apology is in order.
—FERDY R. VALDIVIA,
father of Raymond, a child with Down Syndrome, Parañaque City,
ferdyrv6177@gmail.com
Senator Santiago has since issued a public apology.—ED.