“We Decide” is the theme of the World Down Syndrome Day 2020. It highlights how all people with Down syndrome should have full participation in decision making about matters relating to, or affecting, their lives. We speak to a few people on this topic.
Nina Mehrotra, Shaurya's mother says: As you know he’s not very vocal , but he was clear about what he wants and what he decides..He says he would like to be able to decide that at some stage he can live independently with friends and do more Masti .
Shauryaspeak (Shaurya is an artist): So everyday I decide what I like to eat and what I like to wear . .. in fact my mother discusses the menu for the day with me. I always like to sit in the front seat of my car and I love being driven around ..
In the studio- I get to decide- what is the next project in clay
I decide the glaze colour on my clay pieces
I decide if I want to glaze my piece or make something in clay on any given day .
At home during leisure time I watch the Tintin series avidly and the Fast and Furious series
I love making friends, but I have very defined choices about the people I like and care for ..
Aditi Verma, cafe owner
I am now able to take my own decisions. I manage my own cafe and am also able to keep track of my stocks. I would like to expand my cafe so that it can provide opportunities for more friends who are like me to help them become independent. If I can, why can't they?
Devika's mom, Ranjana says:
Devika is quite philosophical.She has an opinion about many things.She definitely refuses to step out of the house these days. Even an exciting family holiday does not move her, nor does a visit to her favourite Chinese Restaurant!!
The reason she gives is " been there-done that".
Gayatri, a photographer
I decide everything I like to do, when I want to do it and when I don’t want to do it, with whom I want to do it. Every day I decide to eat my favourite food – rice and dal, at least once, I decide when to wake up and when to have my bath, I decide if I want to go for art class or not.
I wish I could decide when I can travel to Delhi to be with my dadi and when I can travel to US to be with my sister, Advika. I wish I could decide when I can have night stays with my friends.
