To the makers of the movie Mimi

First of all, I would like to thank you for opening the dialogue about Down syndrome in our Indian society.  Thank you for showing that a child (in utero) with or without a disability deserves a chance to be born. Thank you for showing the varied reactions parents can have when receiving the diagnosis of Down syndrome for their unborn or just born child, even as honest as having talks of terminating the pregnancy.

I am a mom to a baby boy Laksh, who turned 4 on the weekend of August 1st when we watched your movie on netflix. I was pleasantly surprised to learn of the plot of the movie but I ended up with an ache in my heart to learn that even though the diagnosis was given with utmost surety (the words ‘has Down syndrome’ not ‘may have Down syndrome’ were used), the child did not end up having Down syndrome. The lead actor says, “ Bachche mein problem nahi Nikli but tumhari soch mein nikli” (the child didn’t end up having a problem but your thinking sure did). But the point is having Down syndrome is NOT a problem but thinking that way is.

 If only the child did in fact have Down syndrome and everything else in your story remained the same, it would have been perfect, just like my Laksh.

An affair with Mumbai

Mumbai, the city that I call home. The city that stirs up so many emotions in me. A city that I love and yet am not unaware of the issues. A city where people come together in time of crisis but in everyday life, the same people stare or ignore you. Mumbai, a city filled with dreams and dreamers. A city I call home even though I haven't live in it for 10 years. A city that will always be special to me. Which is why, I absolutely enjoyed showing his beautiful city to my beautiful child, Laksh.

Here are some pics from the trip, I wish I has enough words to express what joy this has been for me but for now, let the pictures guide you through.

                                                                                                                          

How to celebrate down syndrome

Dear readers,

October is down syndrome awareness month. The entire month, we celebrate people with down syndrome. We celebrate being different yet being the same. We celebrate triumphs. We celebrate failures. We celebrate life. 

If you love someone with down syndrome or if you just love people and want to show your support, here are a few things you can do.

• Talk about Down syndrome with your kids. Create a dialogue. Create awareness. Most of the mean comments come from ignorance. Help break that cycle and educate people about what down syndrome is and how you can co-exist and flourish.
• Down Syndrome Awareness is represented by the colors blue and yellow.  Consider wearing the colors, and if you're on social media, post stories using the hashtag #DownSyndromeAwarenessMonth to spread the message online. Tag us as well, using the hashtag #livelifelakshsize.
• Remember positive support from family, friends and the community enable people with Down syndrome to lead fulfilling and productive lives.
• Watch movies, and TV shows which helps see people with down syndrome just the way they should be and create an understanding which in turn helps break stereotypes. 
• Because every family deserves the opportunity to be blessed with a child with Down syndrome, consider a donation to Reece’s Rainbows VOICE OF HOPE FUND.

October is a month where everyone is encouraged to participate in the campaign against discrimination of people with Down syndrome. You can do this through financial contribution, writing of awareness articles and sharing them to various places. You can also contribute by participating in buddy walk. In addition, we hope that people accept them in the society and understand that inclusion benefits everyone.

"Remember that this is a very important month," wrote the NDSS. "We have to spread awareness about Down syndrome and learn more about ourselves."  

Not the child one may want but definitely the child one needs

Dear readers,

It has been a while since I have been able to blog. Life has been busy and I am grateful but that meant not being able to blog for a while. In this time, lots of new developments have happened, some good and some disappointing.

The good ones first:

Laksh is almost 6 months old, I am so excited to be planning his half birthday. Can't believe my baby boy is almost 6 months old. How time flies, it is amazing. We also finally had a newborn/baby photo shoot for Laksh which turned out pretty well. Here are some glimpses of it

  

                           

And now the disappointing part:
A lot of people in the DS community may have already heard about the special of Tom Segura rightly named "Diagraceful" that is to be aired on Netflix where he makes a joke about the usage of the word, “retard” and how it is no longer politically correct and questions if one should say ‘a person with the extra 21’st chromosome’? My question to him is, when has bullying been regarded as humor? When has mocking at someone's differences made you stronger or funnier? Why is it that you find the need to target a group of people who have never said a mean word about anyone and all they ever want is to be treated as human beings, just like anyone else.
When a fellow mom from the Down Syndrome community commented on his social media page, conveying her distasteful reaction to what he calls art, in response, Mr. Segura commented, “Netflix, please don’t take my special down. That’d be so retarded.” He not only denied making an attempt to try and understand what he said wrong or its ramifications, he went on to say it again, in an attempt to appear "funny" . I think it is weak that you can only get a few laughs from people at the expense of someone else, and in this case, many such individuals who had nothing to do with it whatsoever. I have been a part of this community for a short time but as passionate as any one else. No one chooses to have a child with special needs, but one can always choose to love, choose to accept and choose to being kind. As a parent, you may understand the overprotective instinct that comes with the territory, the need to protect your child from the tiniest of troubles, the need to be his or her advocate and making sure your child gets all the good things life has to offer. 
It surprises me that despite being lucky enough to have a child, you aren't lucky enough to learn acceptance and kindness for them. I feel sorry for you and your ignorance. Having a child with down syndrome makes you privy of unconditional love and have a deep appreciation for happiness. Always remember if you decide to have another child, and that child is blessed with an extra chromosome, the same people you mock now, would welcome you with open arms. That is why I feel that we all need to have such a blessing bestowed upon us so we can learn what it actually means to live life to the fullest.

I would urge everyone to please sign the petition and contact Netflix yourself to rate Tom Segura’s “comedy” show. You can reach them at PR@netflix.com or contact the CEO Reed Hasting at rred.hastings@netflix.com.