Just like her blooming relationship with actor Jason Abalos is her love for her brother, Kian, 31, who has Down Syndrome, and her advocacy to promote wider awareness of this cognitive disorder.
Actress and model Vickie Marie Rushton, Lin-ay Sang Negros 2009, shares her thoughts on her advocacy, her fondness for her older brother and her activities as an advocate of the awareness of Down Syndrome, which is affecting more than 100,000 families in the country.
NEGROS WEEKLY interviewed Vickie to highlight the celebration of the National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month and also Valentine’s Day.
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What activities / projects have you initiated lately to promote Down Syndrome consciousness among Filipinos?
I am currently in the process of starting my own foundation. It is something that I have started two years ago which I failed to finalize because of the pandemic. Having a foundation is one of my greatest dreams which could help the Down Syndrome community and their families.
As of the moment, I am sharing awareness through various social media platforms, my personal account and my small project called Heart to Heart (@hearttoheart.ph on Instagram) where I talk and interview families with kids with Down Syndrome and share their beautiful stories.
I also support the Lots of Socks campaign, where we wear mismatched socks during World Down Syndrome Day, the 21st of March, to show support to the DS community.
How has the response been by your target audience? Any difficulties?
I am happy with the support that I’ve been receiving. Yes, there are and there will always be difficulties and challenges but working with organizations makes things bearable. For example, I am a volunteer at Lil Brave Hearts, and during the lockdown, we were able to raise funds for more than 500 families with kids with Down Syndrome. People are reaching out and I’m grateful that they are so generous and supportive at the same time.
Your brother Kian is your inspiration for this advocacy. What do you enjoy most about him? What gifts does he like to receive from you?
It’s so hard to name a few because I just love, adore and enjoy everything about him. I enjoy spending time with him doing nothing. There’s something in his presence that calms me. I enjoy teaching him and it makes me happy when he asks for my help.
My brother, Toto Kian, is very appreciative. He is not hard to please because little things make him happy. He doesn’t ask much but he loves FOOD. Give him siopao or pizza and you instantly made his day, ha ha!
How does your brother show his affection to you and your mom?
Children and people with Down Syndrome are known to be sweet and loving. My brother is very affectionate and clingy. He would always sit beside us, walk toward us just to hug and give us a kiss. There are times when he would massage me.
I find it sweet when he tells me to lie down beside him then he would slightly massage my head and kiss my forehead.
He loves to tease me. He calls me monkey, or Pinocchio, while pinching my nose. He loves to stare at me and tell me “gwapa ka, Vim” and a lot more. He is just the sweetest! I don’t mind sitting beside him all day, because I love listening to his stories.
What activities related to this advocacy do you plan to do soon?
Other than working on my own foundation, I am planning to learn more about Inclusive Education. I started taking online classes and during the lockdown, I completed a course on Education for All which focuses on the barriers and challenges for children with disabilities.
Please update us of your ongoing projects in the entertainment industry / pageantry.
Since most of our activities are done online, Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. released the photos of our National Costume a few weeks ago. My costume is designed by Jomar Peralta. It is an inspiration from the Magellan Birdwing, one of the largest butterfly species that can be found in the Philippines. The base of my costume is hand-painted with patterns that represent the Minuluan Festival, the colorful festival of my hometown, Talisay City.
You may visit Binibining Pilipinas’ official social media pages to see all the beautiful masterpieces made by talented Filipino designers.
I have spent more than a decade of my life in pageantry and I am happy of all the achievements and the doors that it has opened for me. I am grateful to all the people I’ve met and friends who I turned into family.
Any message for us, your Negrense followers?
Madamo gid nga salamat sa inyo nga support and prayers. I hope you still continue to support me especially in my advocacy for children with Down Syndrome, and since it’s National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month, let’s continue to educate ourselves because they need us to fight for them. Try to get to know them better, include them and let us not limit them. They are God’s gift. Palanggaon gid naton sila. God bless you all! – NWI
