The UERMMMC joined the nation last July 17 to 21, 2006 in commemorating the 28th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.
This year’s theme was “Kalikasan Pangalagaan: Kapansanan Maiwasan” and the College of Physical Therapy spearheaded the related weeklong activities in the Medical Center. A Eucharistic celebration opened the week, officiated by Rev. Fr. Luiggi DeGiambattista, SC. It was a gathering of thanksgiving and supplication wherein people with disability and the Physical Therapy students and faculty members prayed that each may be true to God’s vision that a healthy individual stems from His creation of the world. The Mass was followed by the Opening Ceremonies, with Dr. Josephine Bundoc (Med ’85) giving the welcome remarks and College of Physical Therapy Dean Arnel Malaya (Med ’82) inducting the officers of SUGO or the Stroke Support Group. This is a support group of stroke survivors and their families that meet monthly for lectures and social activities, with the aim to improve their quality of life.
Mr. Richard Arceno—the Executive Director of PhilCoChed, a non-government organization that builds houses for people with disability—gave an inspiring Message of hope and on the resiliency of the human spirit. Mr. Arceno, was born physically disabled, exudes the best qualities of humanity’s ability to rise above one’s limitations to give more for others. The Clinic and Training Center was the venue of the Free Bone Scanning, which 40 women availed of. PT interns Balading and Carilo gave the Lay Forum on Osteoporosis.
The College faculty likewise gave a two-part Lay Forum entitled “Pain in the Workplace,” first concerning neck and shoulder pain given by Mr. Sedfrey Atienza, PTRP (PT ’05) and another concerning low back pain by Ms. Fria Rose Santos, PTRP (PT ’04). Employees of the Medical Center benefited from these lay fora. Ms. Josephine Mata, PTRP (PT ’96) also gave a Lay Forum during SUGO’s July monthly meeting, entitled “Post-stroke Shoulder Pain.”
A two-day Exercise Session was held at the Gymnasium last July 19 with the healing movements of Shibashi and on July 20 with an aerobic session. Ms. Delia Arcillaga of the Care for Carers Group and PT interns Francisco and Rigets, respectively, lead the PT students and faculty in the exercise sessions.
The week was capped with a High School Science Quiz Bee entitled “PreTty Med,” which highlighted topics in chemistry and physics and basic anatomy and physiology with a dash of pop culture and Harry Potter. This activity was headed by Dr. Carmina Ann Jerez-Cortez, PTRP (Med ’97). Makati High School bagged the top prize, with Miriam School getting both the second and third places. Josephine R. Mata, PTRP
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