Muskaan was born on 11th February 2002. That’s when our journey started for an unplanned yet exciting tour.
Within an hour of her birth doctors conveyed that she’s monogoal child. We did Karyotype for Muskaan and within 15 days of her birth diagnosis was confirmed. Though, it took us time for us to accept the fact but slowly we started searching about Down syndrome on the internet and ordered books from abroad. By the grace of God we got to know of her diagnosis soon after her birth and we started early intervention when Muskaan was a month old with physiotherapy, occupational therapy etc. When she was 3 months we got to know that she had a hole in her heart but by the grace of god the hole got closed on its own when she turned 3 years.
We admitted Muskaan to playgroup when she was one year old and were fortunate enough that the playgroup teacher was aware of special needs as her son had special needs. That was the turning point for Muskaan as her teacher took special care for her and there she got trained for walking, eating, reading and writing skills.
Muskaan is hardworking, sincere and disciplined. She studied in mainstream school till 6th grade. After that she was not able to cope up with studies. It was then that we opted for homeschooling. Though we faced difficulty during the initial stage of homeschooling but slowly we worked with her on homeschooling. Soon we started training for life skills along with homeschooling.
Four years ago, on Diwali we observed her painting Diya’s along with her brother and that’s when we started Muskaan Creations. Muskaan has showcased her various type of Diya’s at many fairs and other occasions.
We have explored many activities for Muskaan from her childhood. She has taken training for Keyboard, Painting, Karate, Bharatnatyam, Skating, Yoga etc. Following are few of her achievements:
- Cleared two exams in Keyboard, Prarambhik and Parichay from Mahagujarat Gandharv Sangeet Samiti.
-Cleared three exams in Bharatanatyam Gujarat level – Prarambhik, Pravashika Pratham and Pravashika Purn. - Cleared four exams in Bharatanatyam National level – Prarambhik, Pravashika Pratham, Pravashika Purn and Madhyma Pratham.
- Achieved Orange Belt in Karate.
- Her Diya’s got selected for eCAPA 2019, New Delhi – an exclusive exhibition of Art created by individuals with intellectual challenges.
- Won many prices in dance competitions and fashion shows.
- She gets regular orders for her Diya’s art and crayon artworks.
- Took part in Super Jodi 5 km Marathon.
- She has participated in Khel mahakhumb.
Muskaan has always lived up to her name. She’s fond of music, dancing, reading, crayon artwork and eating. She helps her mom with household chores and her mom is totally dependent on her. We are working with her on cooking skills and hope soon she can cook independently.
