Saab Magalona shows body scratches, gets real about challenges of raising son with special needs
Saab Magalona didn't mince her words when it comes to the challenges she is experiencing while raising her son Pancho, who has special needs.
On her Instagram account, the singer posted several pictures of herself with scratch marks on her shoulder, arm, and even one underneath her eye that appeared to have been caused by her son.
"These scratches tell a story I don’t always share, but they’re very much a part of my parenting journey. As a mom of a child who’s still learning how to communicate, it’s taken years of literal blood, sweat, and tears to get to this point," Magalona began in her caption.
"It used to be the norm. Now, it’s thankfully rare. But when it happens, it still hurts. It’s hard not to take it personally but trust me: that never helps," she continued.
Pancho has cerebral palsy—“a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture,” per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to the podcaster, the fastest way to calm her son down is to acknowledge: "I know you didn’t want to hurt me."
"I tell him I’m right here and I’m listening. Yes, I still get hurt. Yes, I still get mad, especially when he hurts himself. This is the truth. But here’s another truth: he’s come so far. We have come so far," she stressed.
She went on to comfort her fellow moms who might be dealing with a similar situation as hers.
"If you’re a parent going through something similar, please know: you’re not alone. It will get better. Keep assuming competence even if they are nonverbal. Talk to your child. Tell them you’re not scared of them or their feelings. Hug them! Let them know they are safe with you," she said.
In the comments, many followers offered words of encouragement for her good parenting.
"You’re a strong momma and you are doing a great job for your children. Keep going, ma’am. Your son is happy that you’re his mom," one user wrote.
Another commented, "As a special needs mom, I used to not go to office and just work from home whenever I have busted lips or black eye because our special needs kid did not intend to do it and it's sort of tiring to explain. But just like any special needs kid who has overcome so much with these little improvements—malayo pa pero malayo na."
In 2018, Magalona gave birth to her "miracle boy," Pancho, with husband Jim Bacarro, after a twin pregnancy. However, she experienced severe complications during delivery, including sepsis, pulmonary hypertension, ventriculitis, and intraventricular hemorrhage, which resulted in the loss of Pancho's twin sister.
Aside from Pancho, the couple is also parents to their son, Vito.
