18-year-old man with Autism prepares to embark on a bicycle ride from Accra to Tamale

 

Young Phil Bertino, an 18-year-old man living with Autism is preparing to embark on a bicycle ride from Accra to Tamale to create awareness about tourism. 

Phil, as he is affectionately called is a professional bicycle rider, a pianist, plays lawn tennis and basketball and a professional swimmer. 

Mrs Angel Liz Acquah Bertino, mother of Phil told the media that her son had embarked on similar bicycle rides covering various destinations to create awareness about Autism and to encourage others that there is ability in Autism. 

The Accra to Tamale Autism Awareness Ride is expected to be a 600 kilometres ride with the aim of challenging stereotypes and to demonstrate that autism is not a limitation. 

The Accra-to-Tamale Autism Awareness Ride will be Phil’s longest ride yet, aimed at challenging stereotypes and promoting inclusion for autistic individuals.

During his journey, he will visit schools to engage with students and share educational materials, meet with local communities to foster understanding about autism and distribute books and learning resources to underserved children.

“Young Phil usually on these trips visit schools and meet with communities to donate books and other educational materials and uses the opportunity to educate Ghanaians about Autism. 

She said her son Phil’s dream is to become a top paralympic bike rider for Ghana and called on stakeholders to support the dream 

“Phil can currently ride 255 kilometres per day His goal is to make history while inspiring other young people with autism to chase their dreams,” she stated.

Mrs Acquah Bertino who is also the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Litzino Centre for children with Special Needs, a centre where children with autism and other special needs are nurtured using good nutrition and exercises including massage. 

She emphasized the importance of good nutrition, exercise, and holistic care in nurturing autistic children. She urged corporate sponsors and well-meaning individuals to support Phil’s mission of advocacy, awareness, and athletic excellence. Phil Bertino is not just riding for himself—he’s riding for every autistic child who dares to dream.

The Special Mothers Project advocates on cerebral palsy issues and issues affecting families raising children with disabilities

World Down Syndrome Day: Special Mothers Project join calls to improve support systems

 

The Special Mothers Project, an advocacy and awareness creation programme on cerebral palsy issues and issues affecting families raising children with disabilities has added its voice to the call for government to improve support systems

A statement issued and signed by Mrs Hannah Awadzi, Executive Director,  said persons living with Down Syndrome face serious challenges in accessing basic services like education and healthcare

Persons living with down syndrome and their families need support, Support is a key human right that helps make other rights possible.

World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on the  21st of  March every year. It is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The goal is to help people understand and support those with Down syndrome better.

The date being the 21st day of the 3rd month was chosen to represent the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.

The theme for this year’s celebration is : “Improve our support systems.”

The support that we need is different for each person.  Ghana does not have support systems that meet the needs of people with disabilities and their families.

The Special Mothers Project called on Government to formulate laws and policies and implement and monitor support systems. 

The statement said support systems should be based on human rights and include people with disabilities  and their families at all stages of design, implementation and monitoring.

The Special Mothers Project advocates for support systems and services for families nurturing children with disabilities