By Ahaoma kanu

The Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (DSFN), the charity that takes care of people with Down Syndrome in Nigeria and the west coast joins all other Down Syndrome organizations all over the world in celebration of the World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) which is officially marked on March 21st of every year.

The World Down Syndrome Day-WDSD is a global event supported by all Down syndrome groups worldwide and we at DSFN use this period to focus our efforts in Advocacy, Awareness and interactive and educative partnerships to overcome the prejudices of people living with Down syndrome.

The foundation had series of activities to commemorate the event which included an inter-house sports, a comedy show entitled Comedy Infusion which was celebrated yesterday at The Incubator, Ligali Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island, opposite RCCG Church (City of David) Lagos. The event witnessed top comedians like Emeka Smeth, Teju Babyface, Klint Da Drunk, Funky Mallam, AY, Seyi Law, Elenu and Shakara. Music entertainment came from Ice Prince, Buzopat, W4, Ray 9 and Ara. The event was packaged by Meljenstin PR & Events, E-Smith and Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria. An Open House event which will feature several activities will cap the celebration.

Also, the foundation is one of the recipients of the 2011 World Down Syndrome Day Awards courtesy of the Down Syndrome International (DSi) based in the United Kingdom but comprising a membership of individuals and organisations from all over the World, committed to ensuring quality of life and human rights for all people with Down syndrome .

The announcement was made today and the foundation won in the award in the Outstanding Professional Categories for organisations that have affected people with Down Syndrome in the world.

Speaking delightedly about the award, the National President of the foundation, Mrs. Rose Mordi said the foundation was grateful and really encouraged by the award.

“Honestly, I must say that we are surprised by this honour and we dedicate the award to God Almighty for given us the strength to be doing what we are doing and also to our members, volunteers and well wishers,” she said.

The foundation was the only African country to receive the award this year which is the second edition of the awards.

According to the Mr. Andrew Boys, Director of DSI, a formal presentation formal presentation of World Down Syndrome Day Awards for the years 2010-2012 will take place at the 11th World Down Syndrome Congress (WDSC) in Cape Town, South Africa from 15-17 August 2012.

Below is the Press Release published by DSi and can be viewed at the link http://www.ds-int.org/news/1666

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release on Monday 21 March 2011

DOWN SYNDROME INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF 2011 WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY AWARDS

On Monday 21 March 2011, World Down Syndrome Day, Down Syndrome International (DSi) is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2011 World Down Syndrome Day Awards.

2011 is the second year of the World Down Syndrome Day Awards, presented to individuals or organisations whose voluntary, professional or scientific activities have strengthened and enriched the lives of people with Down syndrome, or contributed to scientific advancement related to Down syndrome.

This year’s recipients are as follows:

Voluntary and Professional Awards

4 individuals with Down syndrome receive awards for outstanding self-advocacy:

Ty Belnap (Australia) – Record breaking swimmer, surf lifeguard and stage and movie actor.

Mia Farah (Lebanon) – Self-advocate and international disability rights campaigner.

Malgorzata Jablonska (Poland) – Stage and movie actress, performing in many European countries.

Sujeet Desai (USA) – Accomplished musician and self-advocate with worldwide reputation.

3 individuals receive awards for outstanding professional activities:

Dr Branka Butorac (Croatia) – Headmaster of Down Syndrom Centar Pula, Croatia.

Driton Bajraktari (Kosovo) – Co-Founder and Executive Director of Down Syndrome Kosova, Kosovo.

Pauline L`vovna Zhiyanova (Russia) – Special Education Teacher, Downside Up, Russia.

4 organisations receive awards for outstanding professional activities:

Ikatan Sindroma Down Indonesia (ISDI) (Indonesia) – Down syndrome support and advocacy group.

Yaldei Tismonet Down (YATED) (Israel) – Down syndrome parent support organisation.

Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (Nigeria) – Centre for children and adults with Down syndrome.

Robert Owen Communities (UK) – Charity supporting over 350 adults with learning disabilities.

2 individuals receive awards for outstanding volunteer activities:

Agnieszka and Zofia Aleksandra Tucholska (Poland) – Young sisters with volunteering experience assisting people with Down syndrome and other learning disabilities.

1 individual receives an award for an outstanding contribution to raising awareness of Down syndrome:

Casper Lja (Canada) – 23 year old man who cycled 7,444 kilometres across Canada to raise awareness and money for Down syndrome advocacy.

Scientific Awards

1 individual receives an award for outstanding contribution as a medical professional in the field of Down syndrome:

Dr S Suresh (India) – Co-Founder and Chief Medical Director, MediScan Systems, Chennai, India.

President’s Special Recognition Award

2 individuals receive special awards for lifetime achievement in Down syndrome advocacy:

Penny Robertson OAM (Australia) – Pioneer of Down syndrome advocacy in Australia, Founder of Australian International School, Indonesia and Co-Founder of Down Syndrome International.

Dr Balbir Singh PBM (Singapore) – Founding Chairman of Down Syndrome Association Singapore, pioneer of World Down Syndrome Day programme and Social Service and Disability sector advocate.

All recipients are invited to a formal presentation of World Down Syndrome Day Awards for the years 2010-2012 taking place at the 11th World Down Syndrome Congress (WDSC) in Cape Town, South Africa from 15-17 August 2012.

-END-

For further information on the recipients of the 2011 World Down Syndrome Day Awards or to learn more about World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), please visit the DSi website www.ds-int.org or the WDSD website www.worlddownsyndromeday.org. For further information on the WDSC please visit the website www.wdsc2012.org.za.

–
AHAOMA KANU
MEDIA AND PUBLICITY COORDINATOR
DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION NIGERIA
43, ADEGOKE STREET
OFF MASHA ROAD, SURULERE
LAGOS STATE
NIGERIA
Email: a.kanu@dsanigeria.org
Website: www.dsanigeria.org
Tel:: +234-80-3748-7286

The Down Syndrome International (DSI) adopted March 21^st to signify the uniqueness of Down syndrome in the triplication (trisomy) of the 21^st chromosome and is used synonymously with Down syndrome. The inaugural WDSD was held on 21 March 2006 in Singapore.

Our activities for this year’s WDSD events include an Inter House Sports Competition, Comedy Infusion and an Open House on March 21, 2011.

The INTER HOUSE SPORTS competition is slated for Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at the Sam Shonibare Community Centre, Off Ajao Road, Surulere, Lagos under the distinguished Chairmanship of Mr. Tonye Cole, Managing Director, Sahara Oil and Gas Limited. The Special Guest is the Lagos State Commissioner for Women and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Joke Orelope-Adefulire. The Father of the Day is Mr. William Pope, Principal, Grange School, while Mrs. Stella Nwankalor is the Mother of the day.  The event starts at noon.

The COMEDY INFUSION comes up on Sunday, March 20^th, 2011 at The Incubator, Ligali Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island, opposite RCCG Church (City of David) Lagos.

Comedian Seyi Law, Mrs Patrick Chibuzor CEO Meljenstin PR& Events,Mrs. Rose Mordi, National President DSFN, Comedian Funky Mallam &Emeka Smith.JPG

Participating comedians include Basketmouth, Julius Agwu, Gbenga Adeyinka d 1^st, Funky Mallam, AY, Gordons, Klint Da Drunk and Teju Babyface. Others are Seyi Law, Emeka Smith, CD, John, Elenu, Shakara. Music entertainment coming from Ice Prince, Buzopat, W4, Ray 9, Obiwon, Whiz Kid, MI, Liza and Jay One.

Press Conference on the 8 March 2011 at DSFN HQ

Guest appearance by Ali Baba and Master of Ceremony is Desmond Elliot.

Her Excellency, Mrs. Sarah Sosan, Deputy-Governor of Lagos State is the Special Guest of Honour and Mother of the Day is First Lady, Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola.

The event starts at 5 pm. Tickets –Regular- N1, 500, VIP- N5,000 and V-VIP- N10,000- are available in all Tastee Fried Chicken outlets  Festac, V/I, Opebi, Ikoyi, Agege, Surulere, Marina, Omole, Ikorodu.

There are tables of 10 – N200, 000 and a table of 5 – N100, 000.

This event is been packaged by Meljenstin PR & Events, E-Smith and Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria.

The WDSD- OPEN HOUSE is on Monday, March 21^st, 2011 at the DSFN Resource Centre at 43, Adegoke Street Surulere. Time is 11 am prompt. The open house will feature several activities.

Let’s Show Them LOVE!

Children at the launching of the Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria (DSFN)

It was double celebration for people with Down Syndrome on Children’s Day Celebration last week as they marked the launching of the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (DSFN)and also had their new resource centre commissioned.

During the event which held at the Foundations resource centre located at Adegoke Street in Surulere, Lagos State, the First Lady of Lagos State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola   extolled the dedication and determination of initiators of the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria, notwithstanding the enormous difficulties caregivers to children afflicted with such challenges pose. Speaking at the event,  Mrs.Fashola, who was represented by her Senior  Special Assistant, Mr.Biodun Ogunyade, said she will be willing to assist the Foundation, to ensure the Children are properly catered for.

“ She asked me to say thank you, thank you, for a job well done,” he said and also  on Corporate Nigeria, and other well meaning Persons to show concern and support for the Children and the Foundation.

He went on to announce that   Ministry has concluded plans start a TV show, a Social Welfare Hour, to showcase the works of charities that help special people and promised that children with Down syndrome  and the activities of the Foundation will be given priority. He urged the larger society to show love and care to kids, who are so challenged, rather than stigmatizing and discriminating against them.

President and Founder of the Down Syndrome Foundation, Mrs. Rose Mordi has stressed the need for Parents with  DS condition children  not to regard it as a curse as the children could be helped to live a fruitful and productive life if given the necessary assistance. Mordi made the call as the members of the Board of Trustees of the foundation were inducted.    Speaking to journalists, Mordi urged parents with children with the Down syndrome not to stigmatize or discriminate against them but should rather seek help.

“I have a child born with this condition- a young lady of 23 years old. And I realized that in Nigeria, there is not much information about the condition, and you know that any thing that is not well known, people become superstitious about, so I decided to create awareness, by gathering a few parents together, and we started as a parent support group. From there we got involved in helping the children,” she said.

On what causes Down syndrome,  Mordi  explained that the condition is a genetic imbalance.

‘Down syndrome is a genetic disorder- that happens at conception. A child born with Down syndrome (DS) has an extra chromosome. You and I have the regular number of chromosomes in our cells- that is 46; we get 23 a piece from both parents but a child who is to be born with Down syndrome has an extra chromosome which we refer to as an accident of birth. It is not due to anything the mother did, or didn’t do, or the father did or didn’t do .It is spontaneous thing that happens, it is the 47th chromosomes, as against, the forty-six they should  and that extra chromosome is what   predisposes a child to this condition,” she explained.

She decried the practice where families with a DS child would rather want to lock the child up than seek for assistance in administering early intervention. She informed that one of the challenges facing the foundation was the non-challant attitude of the general society.

“Because, as it not a very flamboyant project, a lot of people don’t want to even partner with us, to help these children. The main problem, we experience is the nonchalant attitude of the larger society –to help these children and their family. We have a lot of children we need to support, medically and educationally, but we haven’t got the wherewithal to do that. And, we don’t have much support, and it has been a very big challenge to us,” she said.

Similarly, a Trustee of the Foundation, and Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ambassador Segun Olusola,  called on well meaning  Nigerians who have job openings in their establishment not to hesitate to engage, and help children with this condition as they up, in order to give a sense of belonging, that they are wanted, that they have things they can do to help other peopled.

Ruben Abati, also a Trustee of the Foundation, frowned at the attitude of government at all levels toward the welfare of the Nigerian child. The social crusader and the Editorail Board Chairman of the Guardian Newspaper frowned at what he described as the government paying lip service to helping the Nigeria child.

“Governments at all levels pay lip service to doing something for the Nigerian Child. But in reality not enough is done, not real commitment is shown, and what is done is nothing but mere lip service. It is not all about children who have Down syndrome; it is about children generally, in difficult circumstances. Children represent the future of this country. The population of Nigeria is predominately young. And our constitution says, nobody, should be discriminated against, either on the basis of religion or circumstance of birth, faith or for any reason whatsoever. For Government to neglect children in difficult circumstances, amounts to an abuse or a violation of their basic human right,” he said.

However, he gave a pat on the back for Her Excellency, for showing interest the activities of the DS Foundation.

“It gladdens my heart, that, today, we have Government representation, the Lagos State people, the Office of the First Lady of Lagos, and they were well represented. And, the appeal we will be making is that another government should show interest in what the DS Foundation is doing.

What the DS Foundation has been able to achieve is quite impressive. I think, it is a Foundation that deserves the support of government and also, of all a sundry. We run a society, whereby, the privileged do not seem to be public spirited, where the privileged seem to be interested only in conspicuous consumption, and continuous amassing of wealth.

Those chaps in the National Assembly, who are collecting millions of money per quarter. The House of Representative members, they are not even satisfied with 27. 2 million per quarter, which I think, it case of being over paid for doing nothing. They say, they now want about 50 million per quarter. Now, the question you ask is what they do with this money. I would like to see a situation, whereby the privileged in the Nigerian society, does not spend his wealth, either acquired illegally or legitimately, simply on showing of on endless patties, but feel concerned about the plight of other human persons’

The Children entertained the guests and audience with songs and dance. Their performance was so thrilling that Ambassador Segun Olusola has this to say, ‘I thank you for the performance of the kids. When, it comes to the issues, idea, a play, a song, dance, invite me, I will come and be with them.”

Like she had feared that all was not well, she asked to see her baby when she regained consciousness. But she was not allowed to see the baby until the fourth day, and when she did, she became hysterical.
“They eventually brought my baby to me on the fourth day. I was having my siesta when they brought her and when I woke up and saw her, I screamed. I knew immediately that she had Down syndrome. I was familiar with the condition because in my previous ante-natal classes abroad, we had been taught about all these abnormalities. I called the attention of the nurse and she tried to reassure me that the baby was okay but I was not convinced.

Later on, they said they were going to carry out tests to determine the type of DS she had. (There are three types of DS – Trisomy 21, Mosaic and Translocation); the hospital also promised to get a physiotherapist to work on her neck which was very weak. Nothing was ever done by the hospital. In order to take care of the baby, I had to take a long leave of absence from work. It was during that period that I got in touch with the Down’s syndrome Association in the UK. I was given some counseling and resources. My daughter is the better for it today because I was able to do something early”.

In order to take care of her daughter, Awele, properly, she had to be constantly in touch with the UK DSA. Later on, she was advised to start a similar organisation in Nigeria to help families because there were lots of enquiries coming from Nigeria. She eventually did that  and the association was formally inaugurated on the 4th of December, 2001. She says the association started with a handful of parent members in her sitting room. The association has about 300 registered members with over 30 children coming in regularly.

She reveals that the establishment of the association became necessary because no such association previously existed in the whole of West Africa. The only one in Africa is in South Africa. She says that parents with children with the condition need to come out to learn how to manage their children’s condition. She also says that our society needs to be educated and awareness programme carried out to eliminate the stigma attached to the condition; such stigmatization is unnecessary and unjustified because these children thrive well on love and constructive affection.

“I recall that when I had my baby, people who saw her made all sorts of uncomplimentary remarks and suggestions. There is this belief that children with D.S. are snakes or demons and should be thrown away into a forest or a stream. I remember someone saying, ‘So you have this kind of baby; they are snakes!’ I just responded that if God in His infinite wisdom deemed it fit to give me a snake for a child, then I will take care of her as all living things were created by God. Such superstition is still rife because just a couple of years ago my sister’s friend nearly succumbed to it. She was asked to go and throw her DS baby in the stream. It was my sister who prevailed on her and enlightened her that her baby was not evil but a precious gift from God.”

Mrs. Mordi however, admits that running the association has been quite challenging; the greatest challenge has been funding. Being a charity, members are not expected to pay for services being rendered but costs are incurred on a daily basis to run the Resource centre.

“We render a number of services and we have various professionals employed to do this effectively. We have the Early Intervention programme (EIP), which is designed to ‘catch them young’, so that the condition is easier to manage as they grow older. Given their condition, they are predisposed to some other ailments. About 60-70% of people with DS have a heart condition that is why many of them die early. Diabetes, thyroid problems, Alzheimer’s and a generally low immune system are conditions associated with people born with DS. Thus they constantly require medical attention and we try to do that at the centre. We have volunteer medical professionals coming in to carry out checks but when there is need for major medical procedures, we find ourselves unable to handle such because of lack of funds.

“Due to their learning disability, we have professionals in that area. We carry out programmes on numeracy, literacy and vocational training. The programme is very much similar to the Montessori system whereby teaching each child is individually tailored towards the ability of the child. At this moment, we are unable to carry out effectively all the programme because we are constrained by space, structures and funds. It costs us approx. =N=600,000 monthly to run the centre. Most of our members are indigent; they cannot afford to pay for the services we render. We need a bus to convey the children because some of them cannot even afford transport money to come to the center.

Our aim is to see that children with DS are adequately taken care of so that they can develop their potentials optimally and be integrated into the society. My vision for the association is to have  proper structures in the six geo-political regions of Nigeria, which will incorporate a medical unit, a school/vocational centre, recreational/residential quarters and other necessary facilities.”

Talking about her own experience, Mrs Mordi says she has coped fairly well because of the knowledge that she has acquired over time about the condition. “My daughter got integrated into the family quite early and was brought up like her other sibling. She is fairly independent as she does everything by herself and is quite assertive. She cooks fairly well and is does shopping independently. She travels without a chaperone.”

Mrs Mordi advises other parents to bring their children out as they are capable of achieving a lot. In the developed countries, many of them are computer wizards and very talented , particularly in the arts. “A number of people with DS work at the UK DSA office and other parts of the developed countries. Thus the society needs to give them a chance to express themselves and fulfill their potentials.”
Mrs. Mordi also says that the association is a membership organization and anyone can join  as it is not restricted to families of people with DS. The association needs a lot of volunteers, supporters, patrons and people who wish to give scholarship to our indigent members.

People born with Down syndrome are predisposed to various medical conditions that require early intervention. In a country like Nigeria where provision of primary health care is almost non-existent, our association (in conjunction with our partners), aims to put up a functional medical unit  this year to take care of minor medical  needs of people with Down syndrome and other learning disabilities. In 2007, our association was able to sponsor two of our children to India for corrective heart surgery. This year, we intend to sponsor about three of the children on our waiting list for similar surgery overseas and also construct a well equipped resource centre with residential facilities.

Everyone can be of help by donating, volunteering or supporting the work of the association in one way or the other. The association has a functional website (www.dsanigeria.org/ email:info@dsanigeria.org). Donations could be made on-line or sent directly to the head office in Lagos.

Yes! His Birth, unusual; his growth, unique;

His make, different.

At first a challenge, and later a task,

And then a mission.

My Angel Has Down Syndrome

I needed the grace, he needed the love.

His siblings were aware of the work on ground.

Their input is beyond what money could buy.

They needed to extend their unconditional acceptance

To the new arrival in the home of ours.

My Angel Has Down Syndrome

I learnt to make him my angel, my friend,

My companion and my closest acquaintance.

And I got the shock I never bargained for.

The way my Angel responded to training,

He yielded to love,

He embraced my friendship,

He was encouraged to learn some skills,

He dances like bees and drums better than the drummer boy,

He sings like birds and his laugh infectious.

My Angel Has Down Syndrome

And soon, my Angel was noticed by all and sundry

He began to be loved by the neighbours and authorities

His gifts and skills have made room for him.

He stands before kings and acts before princes.

To the priests, he is just the friend they want.

My Angel is humorous and so compassionate.

Is that a gift or also a skill?

You should know where I’m coming from!

We became friends and the best for sure.

My Angel Has Down Syndrome

Wherever he goes, I’m always invited

If he sees the kings, I’m seen kings

If he is beamed in the media, I am always accomplished.

We compliment each other in our great assignment.

My Angel Has Down Syndrome

His credentials include story telling,

Children supervision and interceding for people.

David my Angel, the weak has been made strong,

The Fool has become wise, the poor has become rich.

And today this scripture is here fulfilled:

“That all things work together for good to them that love God

And are called according to his purpose.”

My Resolve

I’ll love the more to gain twice as much

My mission in life is right on course.

My Angel is the catalyst of who I am,

And a great aid to where I am.

With David, I have learnt my lessons aright,

And place my priorities right as well.

When I’m left with the weak,

The Lord supplies the strength I need.

When I stay with the fool,

The Lord remains my wisdom.

When my portion is with the despised,

Christ remains my lifter.

My Angel has brought me from obscurity to limelight,

A royalty I never bargained for.

I share fame and glory with him;

I enjoy privileges with him.

He is now one of the greatest treasures

I have found in life.

He’s given my life a meaning

The greatest things God has done for me.

Who is Your Angel?

Locate him and the Lord will turn your pains to gains.

My angel has DOWN SYNDROME ;

Ayo Omotade with DSA members

The first time I heard about the man called Ayo Omotade, I admired his courage; for standing up to restore the dignity of his fellow human being was not only courageous but religious considering the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

The incident was inside British Airways (BA) Flight BA075 on the 27th of March 2008 when Ayo stood up to stand against oppression of the worst nature being perpetuated by some officials of the British Immigration when they attempted to commit murder on board the aircraft of a Nigerian deportee by applying the same inhuman measures that got Osamuyi Aikpitanhi lying six feet deep today. Out of the many passengers on board that plane who were being traumatized by the cries of the man who was slowly being suffocated, Ayo stood up and said politely with respect to the fact that all human beings are born equal, “Please don’t kill him!”

That caution was later interpreted by the BA officials and the Metropolitan Police to mean many things; he was labelled a terrorist, accused of attacking BA officials and so on but thank God that the recent court ruling at the Brent Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 6 May, 2009, the District Judge, Deborah Wright, Ayo Omotade was found not guilty of the charge and he was therefore discharged and acquitted.

Well, I must confess that I was never afraid of Ayo being convicted because he was innocent in the first place and I was confident in the saying that a clear conscience fears no foe. So when I got an sms on the day the verdict was delivered from VOR,(the Agunwanyi 1 of Oboroland), I nearly jumped down from the Okada I was riding on at Awka, Anambra State where I had gone for an assignment.

That night my mind went back to the 19th of February 2009 when I met the Hero of March 27th 2008 in flesh and blood; all the while I had been talking to him on phone and he even called when I was on a live TV show a day after we commenced the Boycott of BA services worldwide and made the BA office in Nigeria understand how prepared we were on the campaign. That singular act made me understand a bit how dedicated Ayo was.

But on this day we were supposed to meet, I was expecting to see an Aluta kind of person but his pictures I saw on some of the interviews he granted concerning the issue in the UK was playing tricks on my perception of the man.

I gave up and waited for us to meet. He called later that there was a mild accident at the area he was staying so asked where I was and guess where I was; at the Down Syndrome Association of Nigeria (DSAN) office at Ogunlana Drive, Surulere office.

“Baby Andrew and Baby Victoria,” Ayo said excitedly and asked, “Will the children be there?” I informed him I am playing with one of the boys there.

Ayo came in about an hour later; he was on a golf shirt and jeans, a typical Aluta attire and was very cheerful. He was just everywhere and shook hands with all the staff and children at the centre unlike most of the people that try to be cautious on their first visit to the centre; Ayo was just different.

As we went into Mrs. Rose Mordi’s office, the President of the DSAN, Ayo started narrating what transpired inside the plane and we were all laughing because the story was more of a comedy than criminal as BA and the Met police wanted the world to believe.

Coincidentally, the day Ayo came was the day one of the latest babies in the centre with a hole in the heart came around; Baby Ajoke, the 6 months old baby girl lost her mother some few hours after coming into the world and her Aunt took over and has been caring for her since. They met with Ayo and I was watching his countenance; Ayo’s eyes never left that of Baby Ajoke and he carried her in his arms and said some things that were not audible. When he was told that we had another two babies that were not present; I think I saw some tears in Ayo’s eyes.

“Kanu, how far have you gone with the funds for these babies?” Ayo asked me privately.

“We are in a fix honestly,” I answered and told him that Baby Victoria’s surgery took away most of the fund and that the surgeries were hampering the smooth running of the association. The facility at Ogunlana was very small and with many of the children now staying over there in a boarding arrangement that most of the parents wanted them to adopt, the centre was kind of falling apart.

“The money we were supposed to use and get a bigger apartment went partly to Baby Victoria’s surgery so we are still here in the small place,” I let him know.

“How come they are increasing?” he asked.

“Since the Baby Andrew success story and recently Baby Victoria, LUTH refers families to us and these families come to us with a plea to help. It is difficult to tell them to go as we don’t have the funds to attend to their babies but then if you tell them to go, where do you expect them to go with their Down Syndrome children when we are the only association that takes care of people with DS,” Mrs. Mordi asked.

“The reason is this, nobody amongst us wants to take up the responsibility of telling these mothers and fathers to go,” I made him know.

“How can I help,” Ayo asked and made me know that his wife was working for a Charity organisation in the UK and could help in the aspect of fund raising for the babies exactly.

“Look, we might not provide all the facilities you need but these children especially Ajoke and the others, we need to fix them and let them live,” Ayo told me and I wondered what manner of man he was. This saying reminded me of Bono.

“I can help coordinate in the UK and I believe NVS members will help as well because they showed that zeal when you put the Baby Victoria story online,” He said.

We went on and on and talked about the various activities; the trial, the many protests and the fights we had in the BA Planning Committee room at NVS and laughed. I was thrilled that at least I was part of Ayo’s story in a way.

What moved me most about Ayo was when one of the children came to him; the child was about two years and had running nose with his face all messed up, Ayo gently got out his personal handkerchief and cleaned the boy up after which he carried him and continued our discussion. He might not be aware of that action but I exchanged glances with Mrs. Mordi who was watching also.

The association has presently four DS babies with holes in the heart requiring surgery but unfortunately, one of them, Baby Favour, died yesterday, 13th May 2009. We will be starting the fund raising campaign next week and hope that every villager will be part of this life saving effort.

And from all the members and staff at the Down Syndrome Association of Nigeria, we want to use this opportunity to congratulate Ayo Omotade on his victory.

Baby Victoria and a surgeon

by Ahaoma Kanu

Some hours after more than one billion people worldwide witnessed the historic swearing in of the 44th and first African-American President of the United States of America (U.S.A), Barrack Obama, a group known as the Down Syndrome Association of Nigeria (DSAN) kept vigil at night offering prayers and supplication to the same God not for the new President who had ten balls to attend thousands of miles in Washington, they were spiritually clearing the way for one of their babies who left the shores of the country to have her defective heart corrected.

Baby Victoria and her mother

Baby Victoria Ajayi is a 14-month old Nigerian child with curly hair and a chubby cheek, her complexion was appealing and she radiated a smile that was infectious, she was the fourth child of a retired Post officer worker, Prince Ajayi and  mother, Kemi who was a  full time housewife who confessed that the joy of having another daughter was short lived on knowing she had a genetic disorder; a condition known as Down Syndrome where one has an extra chromosome than the normal 46 as well as having a hole in the heart, can now smile as brighter days looms ahead; Baby Victoria Ajayi has undergone the corrective heart surgery at the Narayana Hrudayalaya Institute of Cardiac Sciences in Bangolore, India and all went well.

The journey towards repairing her ailing heart started when the couple came in contact with the Down Syndrome Association of Nigeria (DSAN), the association which assured them that they will take the child for corrective heart surgery in India , according to the father, that seemed like a joke.

“When I met the association at their Ogunlana Drive Office at Surulere, Lagos , they assured me that my baby will be taken for the surgery, I had never believed such group existed in this country,” he said.

The Association held a fund raising drive for Baby Victoria during their Awareness Week Dinner in September last year and with the help of Rosabel Advertising Agency, which took the matter to some private organisations for donation towards the surgery, the required amount of N1.8m was raised and on the 30th of December, 2008, Baby Victoria, her mother and a chaperone of the association left for India for the surgery.

One getting to the hospital which was where Baby Andrew Duku, another DS baby with a defect was taken to earlier last year for the same problem, Baby Victoria was put through all the tests in preparation for the heart surgery.

She underwent the first step towards her corrective heart surgery on Friday, 17th January which is a process called Cath Test; a procedure where the doctors insert a top through her laps up to check her heart and the dimensions of the hole before the surgery and by the 21st of January, she was taken into surgery where the operation was carried out by a team of Indian surgeons lead by Dr. Devi Prasal Shetty. The surgery lasted 5 hours and Baby Victoria had her heart restored again.

She was discharged form the Intensive care unit on the 26th of January and is waiting to be discharged which might likely happen within the week.

The President of the association, Mrs. Rose Mordi informed that the association is happy with the development is the success of the surgery will now give the association chance to move on to attend to the other babies with heart defects lined on for surgery.

“I am happy that Baby Victoria has come out of surgery and is doing very well in the ward, we are expecting them back this week and this will give us the chance to take care of the other babies lined up for surgery in our centre,” she said.

She also used the opportunity to disclose that another DS baby with heart defect, Baby Josephine Joel has joined Baby Victoria at the hospital in India and is awaiting surgery.

“I will also like to use this opportunity t inform you that Baby Josephine Joel has joined baby Victoria at the hospital in India for her corrective heart surgery, she had to leave at the hospital she was admitted in New Delhi when it seemed the hospital couldn’t handle the situation. I will like to urge everyone to pray for her success too in her surgery” she pleaded.

Early last year, the association with the help of the Nigeria Village Square family, raised more than $6000 for Baby Andrew Duku, a DS child with a hole in the heart to have a corrective heart surgery done on him.