Since its founding in 1979, in addition to the theme Juntos en Armonía, which identifies and justifies the reason for existing, Semana Hispana has been adding slogans to its logo as the years progress. Crossing the Bridge; Uniting Generations; Rescuing Our Roots; Linking with your Community; Honoring Our Heroes; Looking at the Face of Hope; Woman: Her Power and Excellence; Immigrant, Union and Strength, are some of them.
It was not until 2019, 41 years later, that Semana Hispana directed all its interest, effort and attention to the Children with Special Needs. According to the message from José Dávila, President of Semana Hispana, “we chose the issue due to the lack of awareness in our community and the increase in diagnosis by medical professionals.”
Dávila speaks from his own experience. In 2012 he lost his 12–year–old ‘Queen’, Andreina Lee. With her, he learned to value a child with a disability, he tells us, and it shows by the sweetness with which he treats handicapped children when they approach him.
During the Gala Dinner, to talk about Special Children with Special Needs, Hispanic Week gave us the presence of Sofía Lachapelle, guest speaker. Sofia was born in the Dominican Republic, and graduated from the University of the Sacred Heart in Puerto Rico in 1995.
In 2005 she had her first child, Jayson. Jayson, like his younger brother Maximus, is autistic and the source of inspiration for her foundation “One Step at a Time,” dedicated to providing information, education and motivation to parents with special children.
To detect, raise awareness, and invite everyone to love and care for our autistic heroes, in 2015 Sofia Lachapelle launched her book “I am a special superhero.“
There is no doubt that, after listening to Sofia and especially to a young mother whose Special son, gave us a song with musical accompaniment, many of us left there with a clear perception of the special attention that these children require to develop in them all their potential.
Thank you, Semana Hispana for putting this important topic on the table!
