Handicapped teen is a proud Boy Scout
LINGAYEN—Like any well-trained Boy Scout, 17-year old Edgar Esteban Gonzalez can pitch a tent for a camp.
But what makes him special is that he can do it on his own despite his clubfoot deformity.
Gonzalez, an incoming senior in Towerville National High School in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan who was among the about 3,000 who joined in the 6thNational Scout Venture Camp from May 5 to 10 held at the beachfront here, said he joined the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) two years ago because he wants to challenge himself and prove that he is no different from other “normal” people.
“I can do what they can despite my physical handicap,” said Gonzales, who was born with one leg with mild deformity and the other seriously affected, requiring him to use crutches.
He said his friends encouraged him to join scouting and took the challenge to gain more self-confidence.
Gonzales said joining the BSP has taught him the value of self-discipline, punctuality, patience and the ability to face and overcome obstacles.
He encouraged others to join scouting, instead of wasting their time on unproductive activities, and discover their potentials.
Gonzales, a consistent honor student and a sportswriter for their school paper, wants to be journalist.
Among the activities during the camp he enjoyed most was the historical challenge “because we use our mind to look for the answers to the questions given us”.
Gonzales said he enjoyed his stay in Pangasinan because of its pristine beach, the food and the products sold in the agri-trade fair held as part of the Pista’y Dayat celebration that culminated May 1.–Tita Roces
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