70 children & adolescents celebrate Thanksgiving by going after the goal

By THE STAR STAFF

As part of the celebration of Thanksgiving, District 14 (Arecibo and Hatillo) Rep Edgar Robles Rivera held a “Turkey Marathon” this week where all children and young people won.

The event was designed so that all the children, adolescents and other participants returned home with their prize, which in this case was a turkey and a purchase as a complement, ensuring that each family could sit at the table to have dinner and thank God for his blessings. Likewise, for “our beloved angels without wings, that is, for children and young people with the ‘Autism Spectrum,’” Robles Rivera said.

“It was not about competing, but rather about everyone living the full experience, celebrating their effort and dedication,” the lawmaker noted. “Every step they took left traces that will remain in our hearts.”

The activity took place at Cotto Anexo Special Education School and Víctor Rojas 1 School in Arecibo, where all participants are students with functional diversity and special needs.

In both schools, the transition to independent life is worked on, helping the students develop skills that make them stronger and more confident in their day-to-day activities.

“When you look at these children and young people, you see life stories that shake you,” Robles Rivera said. “They have been through a lot, they have overcome obstacles and yet they maintain hope and joy. … Crossing that goal is not just an achievement, it is the embrace of a community that tells them ‘we are with you.’ That is the heart of the marathon. That each one can sit at his table, enjoy his dinner and give thanks to God, is the greatest reward we can have … Every footprint they leave inspires us all.”