The celebrity couple Aubrey Miles and Troy Montero revealed their decision to let the public know about their child’s condition and to share their experience as parents.
Miles Montero shared why it took them a while to share about the condition of their daughter, Rocket, to the public. The couple’s lovely and beautiful baby got diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD. In a lengthy social media post in April last year, the couple explained the reason behind the announcement and their hopes to touch lives through their experiences as a loving parent to a “special child.”
“We announced so people can share to us their experiences, so we learn more. It’s actually for us and for Rocket. It’s kind of an easy decision for us,” shared Montero, who joined the 27th National Autism Consciousness Week conference, on January 20, at SM Megamall Cinema 4. He was with his wife, Aubrey, and Candy Pangilinan, who was present as a celebrity guest.
For them, it was not at all important what people would say.
“For me, it doesn’t matter. We will do anything for our kids so when we decided to announce, it’s actually aim for us because we wanted to learn more,” Montero told the audience, who are mostly parents to special children.
Recalling their early struggles after learning about Rocket’s autism, the couple admitted that it was tough, noting the scarcity of therapy centers for autistic children near their place.
“Nag-search kami…madami naman pero fully booked naman lahat—ang hirap!,” Miles recalled.
She noted that while they were busy taking the first steps in seeking medical help for Rocket, they initially hesitated to inform their family and relatives about their daughter’s “special condition.”
She noted that through acceptance convinced her and her husband to finally reveal Rocket’s situation, not just to their families, but to the public.
“Yung acceptance kasi nito ay para sa sarili natin e. Kinakahiya ba natin ang sarili natin o ang anak natin? ‘Yung acceptance kasi feeling natin baka sabihin kasalanan natin, pero para sa akin, lumabas tayo para kay baby naman ‘to para mag-progress siya,” she shared, answering a participant’s query about to deal with the stigma traditionally linked to having an austictic member in the family.
As for Montero, he shared that he fully understands the varying coping mechanisms of parents to special children, who maybe hesitating to publicize their kid’s situation.
“It’s up to them. It’s just that it is a different situation for everyone. There are many parents out there who choose—it’s up to them if they want to announce or not,“ he shared.
Montero and Miles are among the celebrities invited to participate the National Autism Consciousness Week, spearheaded by the Autism Society of the Philippines, with SM Care as partner.
