HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWDS).

President Naprey Almario of the Association of Differently Abled Persons (ADAP):

Naprey Almario had polio at the age of eight and it changed his life completely, he said. It pushed him to work hard and achieve more, but it wasn't until he got over what he calls his "denial stage" that he was able to live life to the fullest.

Almario reminded his fellow PWDs to recognize their disability and to emphasize the possibilities in the process. He emphasized the importance of joining a group. "Joining a group is great because then you have someone to talk to, people who have the same issues and concerns," he said.
Almario is currently the president of the Association of Differently Abled Persons (ADAP).

The regional office of the Department of Health (DOH-ARMM) launched its Health and Wellness Program for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the ARMM on Monday, September 19, at the Al Nor Convention Center in Cotabato City.

The event is geared towards sustaining the programs that make basic social services and opportunities accessible for PWDs and strengthening collaboration among partners and stakeholders in the PWD sector.

Representatives from all the ARMM provinces were also present during the event. Among the members of the panel present during the open forum were Mayor Ibrahim Ibay of Parang, Maguindanao; Executive Director Carmen Reyes-Zubiaga of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA); and President Naprey Almario of the Association of Differently Abled Persons (ADAP).

An audio visual presentation featuring the "grateful voices of PWDs" who have been beneficiaries of the department's programs was also shown during the program. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)