MANILA, Philippines - Normally, raising children is a full-time career, demanding tons of dedication, sacrifice, and love. What more if one of your children has special needs, and requires constant care for the rest of his life? On Wednesday, September 28, Josephine Ocampo, a senior citizen who takes care of her adult special-needs son, will share the trials and triumphs of a lifetime of love as the guest speaker for the next parent support group meeting of Center For Possibilities (CFP).
“I was born on March 1940 in Negros Occidental,” says Josephine. “My husband Virgilio and I have four children, two girls and two boys. Lito, my special child, is the youngest. It was so daunting back then, caring for a special child. But with the love and support of my family and our friends, we were able to give Lito a happy and relatively normal life. He’s in his 40s now, and he still needs some support, but he’s also friendly, self-sufficient, and learning more every day.”
Asked if caring for a special child has hindered her from having a full life, Josephine assures us it has not. “Having a special child is not the end of the world, it just means having different priorities. Even with Lito, I was able to have a career. I used to work with Beautifont Avon when we were in Bacolod, then with Filway Corporation when we moved to Manila. I retired in 1995 and now have a small business that keeps me busy and happy. My experiences have taught me that whatever challenges come our way, my family and I will face them together and find a way to surmount them.”
To hear more of Josephine’s inspiring story, join the next CFP parent support group meeting on September 28, 4-6 p.m. at the Reach International School, 67 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City. For inquiries, call 725-5132/723-1242 (look for Tina).
The Center For Possibilities, Inc. is a non-profit foundation working for the benefit of children with developmental disabilities and their families. Since 2008, the foundation has been conducting parent support group meetings with invited speakers to offer insights, inspiration, and advice to parents of special-needs children. To learn more about the foundation, visit www.possibilitiescenter.org.