A parent’s love knows no bounds

Sixteen-year-old Michael can tell when his mother has money to spare. 

At times, he turns down her offer to buy sweets. Other times, he suggests going out for his favorite cookies-and-cream frappe. “He is sensitive that way,” said his mother, Michelle Noveno. 

With a disarming smile, Michael lives with multiple disabilities—an intellectual disability, mild cerebral palsy, and a condition that affects eye alignment. 

He was about seven when he was diagnosed, a moment that left Michelle in shock. What started as a routine school checkup led to more than eight hours of travel from their home in Awang, Maguindanao del Norte to the nearest neurodevelopmental pediatrician in Davao City. 

For Michelle, raising Michael has been both a gift and a daily struggle. “I am happy that I have been given a child in life, but every day is a challenge,” she said. 

In the Philippines, about one in seven children, or 5.1 million, lives with a disability.

Caring for them often means higher costs, with families spending 40 to 80 per cent more than those without children with disabilities, according to a UNICEF study. As a result, their poverty rates are 50 per cent higher.

In BARMM, these struggles are magnified by poverty, conflict, and limited services. Without access to health care, education, and support, children with disabilities face even greater risks to their well-being.

So far, Michael has seen a specialist only once, with the next appointment set for 2027.

“The costs for Davao are not a joke, I had to solicit money from people I know to cover the medical bills, as well as the separate costs for transportation and accommodation,” she said.

Many parents and families of children with disabilities share similar stories. Services for children with disabilities, particularly developmental pediatricians, are unavailable in BARMM, prompting families to seek medical attention outside of the region, going as far as Davao City or General Santos City. 

On the other hand, there are families who simply cannot afford the expenses, leaving them to forego having their child checked. 

Access to timely services can make all the difference. Diosa, a mother of three in Cotabato City, said she was fortunate to secure a slot in Davao City just in time, “God’s will,” she said.  

Her second child, Diana, was then found to be at risk of either autism or global developmental delay. At 22 months old, Diana’s tongue function was comparable to that of a six-month-old baby, causing significant language delay. 

Now, Diana is a bright, outspoken pre-teen on the autism spectrum—quick to belt out Doechii’s Anxiety at the mere mention of the word. 

Her mom, Diosa, recalled her earlier fears. “It was difficult in the beginning, but once I was able to research and have a support system, it became okay.” 

Both Diosa and Michelle have since stepped up as volunteer and assistant SPED teachers, and members of the Federation of Cooperatives of Persons with Disabilities.  

In 2023, Diosa co-founded the Association of Parents for Children with Autism (APCA), a support group born from shared struggles. 

Encouraged by those with similar experiences, she helped cultivate knowledge and create the community that she and other parents and caregivers longed for.  

“So, in some way, we can survive,” Diosa said. 

The journey has not been easy. Diosa, now an APCA consultant, shared that they were often ostracized, while Michelle revealed there were even talks of shutting the group down due to lack of recognition.  

But as parents, they pressed on, knowing their children needed this care. Today, APCA serves as a lifeline for families navigating the trials and triumphs of disability. 

Since its founding, UNICEF Philippines has collaborated with APCA, including inviting members to join World Children’s Day in Cotabato City.

Diana has performed at the event every year, while Michael joined the festivities in 2024, patiently lining up for face paint, to his mother’s surprise. 

For Michelle, the UNICEF event showed that Michael and other children with disabilities could interact with others and be included.  

Diosa, meanwhile, recalled watching Diana grow—from being nonchalant to joining activities. For her, World Children’s Day helped Diana become an “independent thinker.” 

The children’s event was just as rewarding for parents. “We felt seen,” Diosa shared.  

She added that knowing their kids were accepted, not as token participants, was uplifting.  

“I am very thankful to UNICEF. We know it’s not just for socialization, it’s really about the lessons," said Diosa and hopes that the partnership between APCA and UNICEF continues. 

Beyond the celebration, UNICEF has also supported APCA through initiatives like the roll-out of Disability-Inclusive ECD Kits in BARMM and the updating of the Cotabato City Children’s Code. 

For Diosa, the kits were eye-opening. She learned about the risks of sensory overload among children with autism and how to support those with developmental delays during emergencies. 

She remains deeply invested in Diana’s milestones. In the short term, she hopes to find a high school that will accept her daughter “with no prejudice.” In the long run, she dreams of seeing Diana live independently. 

When asked about her future, Diana mentioned wanting to be a doctor, nurse, or artist—before curiously asking about a career day in school. 

Her dreams are wide and varied, and Diosa is ready to stand by her, whether it means studying law together someday or, for now, cheering on her dream of becoming a student leader.

How You Can Help 
Thanks to the generous contributions of individual donors, UNICEF and their partners have been able to work with the Government and other stakeholders to ensure that every child receive life-saving vaccines. 

For this we need your support. Please consider donating to UNICEF at https://donate.unicef.ph/campaign/champions. We very much appreciate your contribution.