Norman Santos: Feet is all I have

"Feet is all I have, but as if I have everything," exclaimed the boy with a genuine smile.

Everyday we see him roam around within the four corners of our school. The first time I took a glance at the boy, I pitied him. Only to realize it should not be, for he is more than anybody else.

Truly, Norman G. Santos, 18 years old and a resident of Barangay 2 Hilario, Banna, Ilocos Norte is a wonder boy. His humble parents are Mr. Mario Santos and Mrs. Nora Gaba. He has three siblings namely: Marvin, Lenard and EJ.

According to his relatives, they consider Norman as their lucky charm. They say he's an epitome of courage. But to some, they see him unfortunate. Is it just and right to call a child with disability unfortunate? The answer is all yours.

Norman doesn't have arms. But he acts like has two or more. There are lots of amazing things about him, reiterated by her adviser, Miss Armida V. Bergonia. Despite his disability and age, he humbles himself as he freely mingles with the rest of the Grade I-B.

At 18, the time he thinks he had already enough courage to face the consequences that may arise as he deals with children thrice younger than his age, Norman entered the school with pride, no hesitation nor shame of what he is. He realized that despite of his disability he needs to go to school. He believes that education is the key to reach his dream in life-to be an architect.

To reach his dream is very much possible to Norman. With his feet, he can do many things like a normal person does. He writes on his paper and on the blackboard. He can do household chores like sweeping the floor, washing the dishes and even washing his clothes. He eats his foods using spoon and fork, he opens a bottle of softdrinks and drinks by himself. He earns money by helping his Uncle Butching wash his passenger jeepney, he helps in the bakery to carry sacks of flour and he even cuts and gathers firewoods in the hills near their house. He works in the farm too,uproots palay seedlings and carries them to where they are to be planted. During harvest seasons, he helps in reaping palay sickle and in threshing.

What amazed me most is, he can climb a tree, he showed me the tree house which he made. I let him demonstrated how he cut bamboos, tied ropes and how he managed to put the bamboos on the tree! With that demonstration, I felt ashamed, I myself with hands to grip cannot climb a tree. Another shocking truth is that, Norman can also do biking, FYI he joined in the two popular TV stations GMA7 and ABS-CBN. To this effect, INEC Director Jhon Que gave him a bike as a gift.

According to him his source of courage and strength are his parents. I also came to know that his family is in Manila. "My parents need to work there for a living. Though I miss them, I do understand, we need to sacrifice," he answered with determined voice.

Fly high and soar high Norman......