Little Pleasures at Munting Tahanan of Nazareth

By: Lyn Lumanlan

We arrived at Munting Tahanan of Nazareth located at Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga on the 28^th of February and the children were at the foyer, enjoying the comfort of outdoors.

They are no ordinary children, they are special. They are children with Down Syndrome, abandoned by their parents who could no longer attend to their needs. They watched us with their biggest smiles, as if they were accustomed to us and some of them clapped their hands with amusement.

We started preparing the lunch which we brought along. It was ten in the morning and we were told that they usually take their meal at this time of the day. Those who can walk were led to the dining hall but the wee ones who were fastened in their wheel chairs were taken at the backyard.

The HFA girls volunteered to feed the debilitated. It was really heartbreaking to see them. The children gorged the food as if it was the last meal and some asked for extras.

These children showed pleasure in the little thing we had to give. It made us realized the incalculable blessings we received yet, we fail to recognize.

Some facts about Down Syndrome

Down syndrome symptoms vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. However, children with Down Syndrome have a widely recognized characteristic appearance.

The head may be smaller than normal and abnormally shaped. For example, the head may be round with a flat area on the back. The inner corner of the eyes may be rounded instead of pointed.

Common physical signs include:

• Decreased muscle tone at birth
• Excessive skin at the nape of the neck
• Flattened nose
• Separated sutures (joints between the bones of the skull)
• Single crease in the palm of the hand
• Small ears
• Small mouth
• Upward slanting eyes
• Wide, short hands with short fingers
• White spots on the colored part of the eye
• 
  

Physical development is often slower than normal. Most children with Down syndrome never reach their average adult height. Children may also have delayed mental and social development. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, most persons with Down syndrome have mild to moderate mental retardation.

Many different medical conditions are seen in babies born with Down syndrome, including

• Birth defects involving the heart such as an atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect
• Eye problems such as cataracts
• Gastrointestinal blockages such as esophageal atresia and duodenal atresia
• Hearing problems
• Hip dislocation
• Sleep apnea
• Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism

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Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network)