Children Suffering From "Down Syndrome" Not Burden On Society- Supreet Gulati

Ludhiana, November 3, 2015: For educating the masses about "Down Syndrome", the District Administration in collaboration with NICPA (North India cerebral Palsy Association) or Ashirwad, will be organising a special function in Nehru Rose Garden on the occasion of Childrens Day (November 14). A meeting in this regard was held at Nehru Rose Garden, which was attended by District Administration officials as well as members of several NGO's.

      While chairing the meeting, Mr Gulati said that people should not treat children suffering from "Down Syndrome" as burden and should take proper care of them and given affection. He said that the main aim of organising this special function would be creating awareness about "Down Syndrome" amongst masses. On this day, students from different schools would also participate in large numbers.

      Mr Ghanshyam Thori, Additional Commissioner, Ludhiana MC, assured Mr Supreet Singh Gulati and members of all NGO's that the Ludhiana MC would assist them in every possible manner for this noble cause.

      Dr Neelam Sodhi from NGO Ashirwad said that the aim is to encourage early diagnosis and acceptance of these children, by family and society, to encourage early intervention and inclusion of these children so as to achieve self-care, skill development and economic empowerment as far as possible.

      She informed that Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part (mosaicism) of a third (extra) copy of chromosome 21. It occurs in one in 800 births worldwide. She said that a preliminary diagnosis can usually be made at birth just by looking at the baby because of the presence of characteristic facial and physical features like slanted eyes, small chin, flat nose, low set ears, a protruding tongue due to a small mouth and a relatively large tongue, single crease of palm and poor muscle tone. But not all children will show typical appearance. If the attending doctor suspects Down syndrome, a karyotype with a blood or tissue sample to show chromosomes will be performed to verify the diagnosis.

      Dr Neelam Sodhi informed that NICPA (North India cerebral Palsy Association) or Ashirwad, as it is lovingly called by everyone associated with it, is a Registered Organisation working since September 1999 for children with disabilities. It is now a prominent cross disability NGO of Punjab and has contributed to make a difference to the lives of more the 1000 children and their families by association across the state. These are children affected by developmental disabilities like Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down syndrome and Multiple Disabilities.

     Mr Amanpreet Singh Arora from Rotary Club and Mr Davinder Singh Nagi from Ludhiana Pedallers Club urged the city residents to attend this function in large numbers.