Milk..

..is the title of my 3rd speech in Toastmasters. I spoke about the significance of milk in someone's life. Actually, I wanted to talk about my sister and her condition, Down Syndrome, but I want my message to leave a mark on those who will hear it; so I had to tweak something in the story... I hope it will serve its purpose..

I don’t like milk. I know it’s tasty; but for me, it’s gluey.

Good evening, fellow Toastmasters and guest/s.

When I was young, I was told to drink milk because it’s good for my health. When I get sick, I would be bribed to consume at least half of the glass. You know, I could only settle for chocolate or strawberry milk.

Let me tell you a story about someone I know who likes milk so much. Her name is Angelica. When Angelica was conceived, her mom would always crave for fresh milk. She will not last a day without drinking even a glass of it. Little did she know that her baby is developing an extra chromosome – a Down Syndrome. No, Downs is not caused by drinking too much milk. It is a genetic flaw.

So, Angelica has a Down syndrome but unlike other children with the same condition, she grew up with a physically-strong built. The milk her mom consumed has given her strong bones and muscles. Her skin is as fair and white as milk. She has speech defects but she talks fast. There are times she can be as smart as an adult and silly as a 5-year old. She can do household choirs on her own like dusting, ironing, washing dishes. She would mount on chairs to reach the cupboard and look for milk. She would skip meals just to eat powdered milk.

Angelica is the most precious member of the family. She had been through a lot without her realizing the sorrow and bitterness of life. She became the family’s source of strength especially when her parents were detained in the kingdom for selling liquor. At the age of 9, she was held in custody for several months along with her mom who was so remorseful because her daughter had to stay with her and not because of their misdeed. But Angelica gave her hope and taught her to accept the circumstances without ill feelings.

Food is limited in the detention center but Angelica would always beam with a smile, dance around and yell “Halib! Halib!” at the sight of milk. In that place, her round face was like moonlight in the midst of darkness.

Being the youngest, Angelica is a Daddy’s girl. She tails her father everywhere he goes. One time, she went with him. While driving Angelica’s father started to feel dizzy so he kept blinking his eyes. Angelica was unaware of what her father was experiencing at that time. She was just innocently looking out the window. Suddenly, Angelica asked to turn left and stop. Dizziness was becoming worst; so he parked on the roadside. Then, Angelica asked him to get down the car and buy her milk. It was only then did he realize that they stopped in front of a store. So, he went down the car with heavy feet but before reaching the store, he noticed that beside it is a private clinic and for unknown reason, it pulled him inside. There, he fainted and lost consciousness.

Angelica’s father was awakened by the voices of his wife and daughter. He was in a hospital bed and his hand was injected with an IV. He had hypertension that caused him to faint. It was a good thing Angelica asked him to buy milk or no one knows what could’ve happened to them.

We all know milk is essential in the development of bones, teeth, muscles and blood. It is what we drink when we want to recover from our illnesses. It is what we drink when we want to replenish nutrients in our body. For Angelica and her parents, it has become a very important part of their lives.

Now, the next time you are served milk, take it. Drink it and remember her story. Think of the milk that made her body strong despite having Downs. Think of the milk that taught them to accept challenges with no resentment. Think of the milk that became an instrument for them to continue living life. Think about Angelica, my sister.