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.

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.