“Pongo” serves as the mascot of the Greek Pulmonary Hypertension Association. This elephant doll features a unique characteristic: a minuscule nostril that impedes its ability to breathe adequately, leading to its striking purple hue caused by oxygen deprivation. It was create to educate children to recognize a physical diversity that may not always be visible. Through this narrative, children are encouraged to embrace and accept such differences.
On the 29th of February, International Rare Disease Day, Pongo visited the 5th kindergarten and the 3rd primary school of Loutraki. 140 children were involved in the program, which was tailored to engage preschool and school-age children through an interactive storytelling session featuring Pongo’s tale. This narrative captures children’s interest, addresses their curiosity about hidden diversity, and educates them about a rare disease, specifically pulmonary hypertension, in a non-threatening manner.
Read more at this link on the Greek pulmonary hypertension association website
