500 Join International Rare Disease Day Event

In observance of International Rare Disease Day, TFRD partnered with Richy Creative Technology Co., Ltd. to host an “Orienteering Adventure Day” at Flora Expo New Life Park on February 1st. This marks TFRD's inaugural event centered around “Orienteering & Inclusive Companionship,” and stands as Taiwan's first orienteering competition designed with accessibility for individuals with disabilities in mind. Through tangible action, the initiative aims to address the aspirations of rare disease families for inclusion and understanding.

TFRD invited several celebrities to serve as pacers, teaming up with rare disease families to adjust their pace according to needs such as physical disabilities, visual impairments, and multiple disabilities. They assisted with map reading and completing tasks.

The event attracted nearly 150 rare disease and disabled families, with over 500 participants representing more than 50 different conditions. Over 90% were experiencing orienteering for the first time.

Despite light drizzling rain, many participants completed the course independently, earning their first personal achievement medals and creating unforgettable memories.

Multiple parents shared that thanks to the user-friendly design of the activity route and pace, their children experienced true inclusion in sports for the first time. The event did not compete on speed or rank participants. Instead, everyone completed challenges as teammates, experiencing a sense of accomplishment in a safe and understanding environment.

TFRD founder Ms. Serena Wu emphasized that this is more than just an event—it's a daily practice for children to step into the world. She hopes society will rethink how inclusion stems from small, daily acts of understanding and adaptation.

 【Walking Together Along the Way】 Snapshots from the Orienteering Adventure： https://youtu.be/j-Erh85EmqE

Translator: David Lee (Becker Muscular Dystrophy)