Scout Daniel: Disability not a deterrent to join Scouting
Among the 1,800 Scouts who attended the 72nd Provincial Scout Jamboree of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines’ Ilocos Norte – Laoag City Council in Dingaras, Ilocos Norte, a particular Scout caught the attention of his fellow Scouts – Scout Daniel Dariagan.
Daniel, 13, youngest among seven, was born with a lower body disability that affected his physical functioning and mobility. His condition made it difficult for him to walk properly. Despite his condition, he is actively participating in all Scout activities in his school in the town of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte in northern Philippines.
“I do not consider my disability as a deterrent to join Scout activities, or any other physical activities. I also do not consider it as a burden that I have to carry all my life. I am more than contented with what I have, with what I’ve been given, and I make sure to enjoy my life with it,” said Daniel when asked on how he copes in attending Scout activities and programmes.
He is currently in his sixth grade at San Agustin Elementary School in Bacarra town. He is an active and a bright pupil who likes Sciences and loves playing basketball. He is also good in skateboarding and has some few skateboarding tricks up his sleeves. He also does swimming.
According to Elizza Benigno, Daniel’s classroom adviser, he is a good student. “Daniel is just like any other kid – he’s into sports, he’s doing good in his studies, he plays around with his classmates. If you take a look at them, you wouldn’t really see any difference. He is a student with passion in what he’s doing.”
“Daniel is a child that is very persistent in achieving his dreams despite his condition,” says Roy Marquez, Daniel’s Outfit Advisor.
Daniel is currently pursuing his requirements in the progressive scheme of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. He wants to be an Eagle Scout one day.
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With reports from Jezreel Larry Caunca, Gledie Joy Barad and Ryan Jerome Uganiza, Boy Scouts of the Philippines
Photo (c) Bhupinder Paul Benigno, Ian Frank Mandac
