Bengaluru: On World Down Syndrome Day, 24-year-old Lizaba recounts her heroic tale

Bengaluru: Lizaba I Deepak (24) was all of four years when she was first diagnosed with Down syndrome. Her mother Irwin, however, decided to treat her like a normal child and helped her with her academics and extra-curricular activities.

“I was only 22-years-old when I delivered Lizaba and was totally unaware of her condition until she turned four. When the doctor informed me about her condition, I first did not know how to react and my husband never thought that something like this would happen to us. She was a beautiful baby girl,” said Irwin.

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder arising from a chromosome defect, causing intellectual impairment and physical abnormalities including short stature and a broad facial profile. It arises from a defect involving chromosome 21, usually an extra copy, when it is transferred to a newly-formed embryo.

Irwin said, “The first thing the doctor told me was to treat her like a normal child by giving her all the love, attention and exposure that she deserves. I decided that I will take this as a challenge and give all my support to make her life better. I would spend a lot of time making her read English, counting numbers with her and took her out for parties, dinner and everywhere.”

I did not care what the world said or what questions were asked by people around me, Irwin said. “I was confident that I will never let her feel that she is different from other children,” she said.

Inspired by her siblings, who were national level swimmers, Lizaba too won her first gold medal in swimming championship in 2012 in Chennai. She also won silver and bronze at ‘Asia Pacific Games’ in Australia in 2013 and a bronze at ‘Elley World Games Special Olympics’, where 6,500 participants from 650 countries took part.

“It was a difficult journey but today when I look back and look at my daughter’s achievements my heart swells with pride,” Irwin said.

Lizaba completed her SSLC in 2015 with 62% and passed her 12th standard in 2019. She is now a teacher at Elm Montessori School, HSR Layout.

Manipal Hospital observed World Down Syndrome on Thursday by sharing such inspiring stories. Dr Sridevi Hegde, who treated Lizaba, said, “It is advisable for all expectant mothers to undergo screening for Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities during the first trimester of pregnancy. Those at high risk of having a foetus with Down syndrome after the biochemical and NT ultrasound scan are counseled by a team of genetic counselors and given first-hand information about the diagnosis, which helps them to make informed choices.”

During the event more of such heart-warming cases of children with Down syndrome children, who later went on to excel in their fields due to their strong will and dedication, were shared.