Tebow CURE Children’s Hospital Celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD)
Every year, December 3 marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD), a global observance promoting understanding, awareness, and acceptance of people with disabilities (PWD). Tebow CURE Children’s Hospital of the Philippines (Tebow CURE) joined this worldwide celebration by gathering successfully treated patients at The Word for Everyone Ministries International Inc. in General Santos City.
Sixteen percent of the world’s population, or 1 in every 6 people, faces the challenges of a disability. These figures emphasize the call for initiatives that not only recognize the hurdles encountered by PWDs but also celebrate their accomplishments and contributions.
“This is a time to celebrate the PWDs who…have much to offer, but, unfortunately, are sometimes pushed away. CURE is an organization that has a heart for children suffering from treatable disabilities by providing life-transforming surgeries. As I look upon you now, most of you are graduating from becoming persons of disabilities because you’ve had a life-transforming surgery. As you grow into adults, you will no longer be put in a situation where people will look at you differently because you have been healed physically, emotionally, and spiritually,” Executive Director Peter Cowles shared.
Adding to the celebration, CBN Asia/Superbook partnered with Tebow CURE by presenting Gizmo on the Go. Many Filipinos’ childhood memories include Superbook, featuring Chris, Joy, and the robot named Gizmo on their Bible adventures. Gizmo on the Go is an event where Gizmo travels to different places, bringing fun games and activities to kids and, most importantly, sharing the message of Jesus.
The IDPWD celebration included a film showing of the Superbook series, entertaining games with prizes, and an inspiring message from Icko Gonzales, head of Superbook Philippines, reminding patients of their true identity—that they are fearfully and wonderfully made by God.
Ara Jane, a former patient treated at Tebow CURE Children’s Hospital for a severe knee dislocation, shared her heartfelt testimony. “I used to feel ashamed of what people said about me. There were many things I wanted to do, but I couldn’t, like walking normally and strolling. I thank the Lord for the people who became instruments of His grace to me—the doctors, nurses, and staff at Tebow CURE—all of you who cared and dedicated yourselves,”
“It is our hearts’ desire that we reach your homes and bring to you the true heart of Jesus. The doors of our church are open to all of you. My heart is overwhelmed with joy because we have fulfilled the words of the Bible in Luke 14: to ‘invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ In God’s house, everyone is welcome,” Pastor Jun Malon, senior pastor of The Word For Everyone Ministries International Inc., shared.
Beyond celebrating healing, this event aimed to strengthen the spiritual support network for children and their families, connecting them with local churches for discipleship. The statistics narrate a story of community unity: 146 attendees (including family members of the patients), 36 CURE patients, and 67 volunteers. Prior to this celebration, the Spiritual Ministry department conducted a Theology of Disability training to 17 pastors and servants connected with The Word For Everyone Ministries International Inc. This training was designed to help pastors and church leaders understand, embrace, and model a biblical perspective on disability.
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