By Mavell Macaranas-Dojillo
Motherhood is difficult, and the challenge is multiplied when you have a child in the autism spectrum. But acceptance is key, as Hyacinth Sia or Hy-c realized in her journey with Chace, her firstborn among three boys, who is now 14 years old.
Eager to help him keep up with the milestones of other kids, Hy-c, as she prefers to be called, started intervention for Chace as early as 2-years-old. “But he wasn’t diagnosed until five as he was a verbal child,” she explained in an interview with TheOneHourProject. Like Hy-c expected, the path was never an easy one, especially since she was eager to make his son school-ready, just like every kid his age. “I can remember his younger years – how confused we were on what kinds of therapy/intervention he must undergo and believe me when I say we have tried so many different methods and jumped from one school to another.”
Things changed, she said, when the anxiety subsided and they learned to trust the process, “and let him be.” Hy-c and her support group – doctors, therapists, and a very loving nanny – learned to look beyond Chace’s disability and embrace his unique abilities instead.
She said, “Acceptance is key. He may have limitations but as a parent you also look at the bright side of things. My son is a happy kid. He’s ‘malambing’, kind, and good-natured.”
Looking Towards the Future
The future indeed looks bright for Chace and Hy-c as they carry on life’s adventures and face every challenge that comes by the day.
It helps that there are entities focused on uplifting the lives of people with disability, including those with autism spectrum disorder. One of them is Project Inclusion, a nonprofit organization based in the Philippines aimed at building a nation where the potential of Persons with Disability is realized.
Although the main mission of Project Inclusion is to empower persons with disabilities who are looking for a job to transition smoothly into an inclusive community, they also facilitate programs that promote inclusion and advocate for their beneficiaries.
Just last year, December 2023, Hy-c and Chace joined the Disability Expo sponsored by Project Inclusion. Aside from showcasing Chace’s love for and talent in Arts, particularly in painting animals, Hy-c also met with other parents whose children are also on the autism spectrum. She also met “older kids on the spectrum and they’re doing fine. It really gave me a lot of hope for Chace.”
Ask any parent of a child with special needs and their wish rings almost the same as Hy-c: “I hope more avenues can open for kids with special needs and I dream of the day that they would be more accepted in society – like almost mainstream would be nice.”
Other than an inclusive society where everyone is valued and acknowledged, she also personally wishes for Chace to become more independent. “I hope that Chace will continue to communicate better, learn more life skills, and be more independent. I hope we can continue to help hone his skills and talents in the arts and swimming.”
Joining Forces for Inclusion
TOHP shares the same commitment as Project Inclusion, partnering with organizations to advocate for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. If you’re interested in supporting initiatives to make a difference in the lives of individuals like Chace and somehow provide a ray of light to mothers like Hy-c, consider volunteering with us.
Together, we can work towards a more inclusive society, where every individual is valued and supported in reaching their full potential. TOHP has three partners focused on helping individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families: the Philippine-based Gentle Giants, India-based GiftAbled, and Singapore-based Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS). Check out this link for volunteering projects in collaboration with MINDS and other NGOs.
