Disabled teen yearns for long-lost mother this Christmas

EARLY CHRISTMAS. 19-year old Pablito Patilan, who is afflicted with a genetic bone disorder called Osteogenesis Imperfecta or brittle bone disease, receives a Christmas gift pack from Pagcor Assistant VP for Community Relations and Services Henry Reyes (right) during the state-gaming firm’s gift giving activity at the National Orthopedic Hospital School for Crippled Children on Nov. 29, 2011. Looking on is Raissa Laurel (middle), one of the September 2010 La Salle bombing victims, who lost both legs but is now able to walk using the prosthetic legs donated by Pagcor.

MANILA, Philippines – For several years now, the coming of Christmas would have 19-year-old Pablito Patilan sitting by the gate of the National Orthopedic Hospital (NOH) School for Crippled Children for hours – patiently hoping and praying for “Santa Claus” to show up and fulfill his most cherished wish.

Pablito never yearns for any material gift.  All he wants is to be reunited with his long-lost mother, whose face he could hardly recall as he was only a toddler when she abandoned him and their family.

“Wala po akong ibang hinangad tuwing sasapit ang panahon ng Kapaskuhan kundi ang makita at makapiling muli ang mother ko,” shares Pablito, who is afflicted with a genetic bone disorder called Osteogenesis Imperfecta or brittle bone disease.

But even as his dream of being with his mother again has remained elusive, Pablito found a reason to celebrate Christmas early this year.

He was among the 180 physically handicapped students of the NOH School for Crippled Children who received Yuletide presents from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) Tuesday through its Pamaskong Handog project.

The institution was the fifth beneficiary of the Pamaskong Handog project, which will run for 25 straight days from November 25 until December 19. More than 7,000  wards under the care of 36 charitable institutions nationwide are expected to benefit from it.

Pablito and his schoolmates received Christmas gift packs containing assorted grocery items and toiletries from Pagcor. The state-owned gaming firm also fulfilled the school’s wish list for two split-type air-conditioning units, one multimedia projector with screen, one gas range oven, 10 double-decker beds, 20 mattresses, 14 white boards, and 50 beddings.

Raissa Laurel, a survivor of the September 2010 La Salle bombing incident, graced Pagcor’s gift-giving to provide encouragement and inspiration to the crippled children.

Laurel lost both her legs during the incident but was now able to walk using prosthetic legs donated to her by the state-gaming firm.

She thanked Pagcor for inviting her to join the gift-giving activity, saying this gave her the opportunity to serve and mingle with physically-handicapped youths like her.

“Being with these kids is such an inspiring experience. Katulad ko rin ang mga batang ito na may kapansanan pero ang kaibahan lang namin, sila in-born ang disability nila samantalang ako, biktima ng isang insidente.  Muli ay pinapasalamatan ko po ang Pagcor dahil gaya ng mga batang ito, ako po ay natulungan din ng ahensya sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay sa akin ng artificial legs,” Laurel said.

Founded in 1947, the NOH School for Crippled Children provides orthopedically handicapped children with educational opportunities that can help in their optimum development.