SM CARES Brings Joy to Children with Disabilities

Uno Polistico Jr and his mother were some of the guests who were treated to watch the Disney show at the SM Mall of Asia Arena for free.

Six-year old Uno Polistico Jr. has stayed on his wheelchair at home most of his life because of Shprintzen-Goldberg syndrome, a genetic disorder which causes skeletal and neurological abnormalities. But he loves Mickey Mouse and dreamed of watching him live.

SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, together with SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc., made  Uno’s dream and that of 29 other children come true when it treated them to a free show featuring famous Disney characters at the SM Mall of Asia Arena recently.

The live show called “Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales” featured famous Disney characters with Mickey Mouse and his gang relaying the stories of Snow White, Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast.

For many of the children, who are members of the Philippine Society for Orphan Disorders (PSOD) and Parent Advocates for the Visually Impaired (PAVIC), it was their first time to watch a live show. Uno’s mom, Linda, said her son had been excited since he was informed that he will watch Mickey Mouse live.

“This is certainly a very exciting experience for him. He seldom leaves the house because of his condition and we feel special for this kind of opportunity,” she said.

Julia Roma, 13 years old who has Rett syndrome, another genetic disorder which is part of the autism spectrum and affects only girls, expressed extreme enthusiasm when she learned of the invitation and was very excited to see the Disney princesses, according to her mother.

Mr. Bien C. Mateo, Program Director of SM Cares for Persons with Disabilities, said the live show treat is part of SM Cares’ advocacy to make all SM accessible to all. “We want everyone to experience the offerings of SM whoever they are, whatever their condition. SM is a place where no one gets left behind and that is what we are committed to do,” Mateo said.

SM Cares has many projects for the differently-abled and would regularly host them whenever an opportunity presents itself.

“We want to give them the best experience possible. And today, we are humbled to see their happy faces with big smiles,” Mateo said.

To know more about SM Cares and its other advocacies, please visit https://www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares.