WHEN FINISHING LAST BECOMES GLORIOUS VICTORY!

 5 years ago today, I attempted to run from Luneta, Manila to Palace in the Sky, Tagaytay to raise funds for the Down Syndrome Association of the Phils. Inc. (DSAPI). I was the last to finish but why am I grinning from ear to ear? 

FLASHBACK:

One could feel the bursting energy of the crowd gathered at Km. 0 in Luneta, waiting for the GunOff to start the 60Km race organized by Prince Multisports. I was with Mikee Santos (daughter of my HOLD Sister Lulu),  a Certified Mountain Hiker whom I requested to accompany me all the way to Palace in the Sky, Tagaytay.  We were advised of a slight delay because of an unfortunate road accident along Roxas Blvd. It was already past midnight when we excitedly hit the road!

I intended to start really really slow but had to run faster than my usual pace because I was with Mikee, a young and strong woman. So far, so good—but not for long.

FAST FORWARD TO KM 42:

My left foot which started bothering me at Km 7 was now killing me when I walk. My right knee was now torturing me when I run. The 1:1 (1 min. run: 1 min. walk) Interval I was accustomed to could no longer be adapted. My “RUN LEISURELY, WALK PURPOSELY” Principle was no longer feasible. At this excruciating moment, I seriously contemplated whether to continue or just stop.

THEN CAME THE HEAVY RAINS.

I was all alone along Aguinaldo Highway, frozen to the bone without anybody to talk to. I already let go of my running partner at Km 30 so that one of us could definitely finish the race. My tears, together with the pouring raindrops, persistently rolled down my cheeks.

Drenched, I questioned God: “Lord, why am I doing this to myself? Please remind me why.”

Gently, God whispered with compassion: “Nora, you are doing this for the families with Down Syndrome—that’s WHY.”

But I snapped back, bawling: “Help me overcome this. Send me an angel. I desperately need someone to be with me now.”

Then there was silence.

No angel came.

In between sobs I pleaded: “Could you at least stop the heavy rains Lord? Baka naman pwedeng rainshowers lang? Please?”

Truly, God answers our prayers in His time, not ours.

Before reaching Km 50, God finally stopped the heavy rains and sent me an angel—Inou Legaspi of Prince Multisports. He was a seasoned ultramarathoner who had time-tested strategy of finishing the race. Though I was struggling and ready to give up, I obediently followed his instructions.

At Km 57, my family arrived from Las Piñas and gave me the much-needed boost. Ascending to Palace in the Sky was extremely painful but with the whole family and Sister Lulu cheering for me, quitting was NO longer an option.

After almost 14 hours of grueling experience, we finally reached our destination! I was the last to finish but I was happy, thankful, and relieved.

To God be all the glory!

(Thanks for dropping by and sending your comments via Messenger. I appreciate them very much. You may also email me at ndelr62@gmail.com. Stay safe everyone!)

Thank you, DSAPI!

The Down Syndrome Assn. of the Phils. Inc. (DSAPI) is one of God’s precious gifts to the human race, particularly the Filipino household. Thank God for Tony Pasia and the other brave founders who were passionate enough to start this organization last Feb. 6,1992. Truly, they are God’s angels sent from heaven.

Words cannot fully capture how grateful I am for DSAPI. When I was at a loss and clueless how I was going to cope with having a child with Down Syndrome, DSAPI was my guiding light. It brought me out from the darkest and lowest pit of my life and carried me to freedom, joy, and happiness.

Thank God for DSAPI’s lifelong program for a child with Down Syndrome. I no longer have to wonder whether I was on the right track or not because I simply had to follow the corresponding programs and medical tasks at every stage of my daughter’s life. Everything was already planned in detail. I only needed to attend the seminars, the medical and dental consultations, the various social and nurturing activities—learn from them and put them into action.

If I did not find the time to attend the Early Intervention Program when my daughter was still a baby, I wouldn’t have believed that Eia could still make a difference and leave her mark in this world. Meeting Trish and Sam back then gave me the much-needed hope. Hope that my child could still talk, think on her own, do things by herself, and go to school. I wouldn’t have dared to set goals for Eia.

My daughter Eia was barely 5 years old when she dreamed of performing on stage and she did it starting at 8. She worked hard to be better by practicing everyday and in the course of her journey she was able to perform in schools, malls, hotels, function halls including Music Museum. People get teary-eyed when they see her sing with the Charismatic Choir during the Saturday Anticipated Mass and during the Healing Mass every 1st Saturday at Our Lady of Fatima Parish. At 18, she fulfilled her ultimate dream of having a Debut Concert at Dazo Hall, Philamlife Village.

I couldn’t imagine myself raising Eia without the support of DSAPI. DSAPI was, and still is, my life-saver. That is why whenever there’s an opportunity for me to raise funds for DSAPI, I do so. The donations I raise could never commensurate to what DSAPI has given me. DSAPI gave me back my life when I was about to give up, brought light to my path and guided me every step of the way so I won’t get lost.

Happy 30th Anniversary DSAPI! Wishing you many, many more years of helping families live life to the fullest with their children with Down Syndrome.

God bless us all!

(I apologize for my 2-month absence. Thanks for still dropping by my blog, inspite of my shortcoming. I cannot promise to write regularly but will always include you in my prayers, my dear readers. Stay safe everyone!)