In an episode of TWBA, Candy Pangilinan shared the highlights of her journey of raising Quentin, her child with special needs.
The comedienne sounded strong and wise as she narrated her story. But going back to everything she went through in life, she said there were days when she felt weak. Candy had to open old wounds in a desperate attempt to track down the cause of Quentin’s condition, believing that her stressful pregnancy might be the culprit, despite her doctor’s assurance that there is no proven link between a mother’s pregnancy and how a child turns out.
“From my point of view, feeling ko meron pero sabi ng doctor ko it’s not yet proven. I was very stressed when I was pregnant. I was emotionally stressed and physically stressed. Feeling ko nag-a-affect ‘yun, feeling ko nagsa-shut off ‘yung ibang parts ng brain ng bata kasi magkadikit ‘yang lifeline na ‘yan, eh,” she said.
And for a time, she blamed herself. “Kapag nalaman mo ang anak mo may special needs, kailangan merong dahilan, eh. So, hahanap ka kung sinong may kasalanan. So, nung time na ‘yun, ang feeling ko siguro kasalanan ko ‘to. Baka kasi masyado akong nagpaapekto sa pa-love life ko kaya emotional ako,” she added.
Candy revealed that she wanted to punish herself but the doctor told her to focus on the solution than dwell on the problems in the past.
She never questioned God however difficult the situation was. She instead ran to Him for help and clarity. Candy revealed that she was going through a lot of trials when she discovered Quentin’s condition. She just got separated and she had no money to support her child’s needs. But God answered her prayers, giving her the aid she needed.
In her book Mommy Dear: Our Special Love, the comedienne also talked about handling discrimination. “Ganoon talaga, eh. They don’t understand Quentin because hindi siya ganoon kagaling verbally. I just allow him to go through it because it’s part of life and he has to learn,” she added.
Candy happily shared that Quentin’s motor and speaking skills have improved a lot.