Patience is key to help kids with Down’s syndrome

In 1990, Varsha Solanki, a Vile Parle resident, was stunned when she was told that her newborn baby had the Down 's syndrome.

Down 's syndrome is a condition in which extra genetic material causes delays in the way a child develops, both mentally and physically. "My husband and I started to read about the Association for the Welfare of Persons with Mental Handicap," said Solanki. "We contacted them they asked us to get in touch with the group called Pods (Parents of Down's syndrome)," she said.

On getting into the group, Solanki realised that she was not alone and there were many other parents who have kids with similar problems. "The most important part about such groups is that you get the emotional support that you need," she said.

Pods was earlier associated with the association for the persons with mental handicap. "However, the problems of children with Down's syndrome were very different," said Geeta Tejpal, one of the founder members of Pods.

Thus Pods came into existence in 1988. "Our children are also mentally challenged, but they are capable of a lot of things. My son is a very good dancer and trains with Shaimak Davar," Tejpal said, adding that patience is the key to help kids with Down’s syndrome.
The group which has about 80 members meets every second month at Juhu and they have interactive sessions. Apart from that they also organise workshops and lectures by doctors and specialists. They also have a show once a year where the kids perform.
Twenty-eight-year-old Rishi Shahani was born with the Down's syndrome. He won the gold and silver medal in the freestyle swimming competition in the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games. He is also a member of Pods.

 "I like making friends and talking to people. I have many friends," he said.

According to Aruna Shahani, vice-president of Pods, kids get a lot of help from the support group. "Many kids who did not speak at all before now talk quite a bit," she said. "Support groups become like extended families. People share all their doubts and each day they learn something new from others' experiences."