On December 20, Aficionado president and CEO Joel Cruz revealed that his youngest son is on the autism spectrum.
In his recent vlog titled ‘Joel in Paris| Europe Tour Part7,’ Cruz explained why his son Ziv Cruz wasn’t present in his video about their family’s trip to Paris, France.
“Actually, kakasagot ko lang sa isang question doon sa mga vlog namin ba’t tinatanong, ba’t seven lang daw ‘yung kasama ko na bata, hindi eight.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanya, tama ‘yung alam niya na wala ‘yung mga bata. However, ‘yung ika-walo kasi, ‘yung bunso, na-diagnose siya ng doctor na mayroon siyang Autism Spectrum. Isa siyang sakit na ginagamot through therapy, through therapy siya ngayon, session.”
He disclosed that his youngest son is on the autism spectrum, noting some of the difficulties they encounter whenever they have a trip abroad.
“May instances kasi like sa restaurant sa Korea, maingay siya, so minsan pinapalabas kami, so hindi lang ‘yung bata, pati kami nadadamay na napapalabas kami maingay nga. Maganda nga sa Pilipinas, kilala kami, at least hindi nangyayari ‘yung ganon. Pero sa ibang country, hindi kami kilala. May mga instances na ganon.
“Nakakaawa din siyempre ‘yung bata nakaupo–gumaganon na sounds, hanggang sa pinalabas siya kasi sabi ng ibang customer, maingay. Hindi ko naman ma-explain na may sakit ‘yung bata. So what we do, kapag nasa restaurant kami, ino-order ko na lang siya ng food. Diyan lang siya sa labas, tapos kapag dumating na ‘yung food, tsaka ko siya tatawagin, kasi ‘yung bata hindi masyadong mahaba ‘yung patience niya.”
He also highlighted how therapy helps improve his son’s condition and reduce his symptoms.
“Actually, kasama namin siya sa Paris, pinauwi ko lang siya ng maaga para hindi niya ma-miss ‘yung therapy. Malaking tulong kasi ‘yung therapy sessions niya na ginagawa niya sa Manila. Kasi gumagaling siya kung baga.
“So, I keep on praying na gumaling siya sa lalong madaling panahon, I hope you can also pray for Ziv Cruz– na sana gumaling siya sa lalong madaling panahon, para di na namin ma-experience ‘yung di maganda kumbaga at masakit bilang magulang na nakikita ‘yung ganon na bagay.”
Cruz has eight children, all through In-vitro fertilization (IVF.) His eldest was his first set of twins, Prince Sean and Princess Synne, in 2012, followed by another set of twins, Prince Harvey and Prince Harry, in 2015. Then, in 2017, Cruz welcomed his third pair, Charles and Charlotte. The fourth pair, Zaid and Ziv, was born in 2018.
His family is often featured in content and vlogs, where he documents most of their trips and gatherings.
