DSFI Excellence Awards

Worked in the Field of Down’s Syndrome Her entire life revolves around people with Down’s Syndrome and their parents. She started the Support Group in major cities of Gujarat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara but has now reached to other districts as well. She isn’t going to stop until she touches every life of every person with down’s syndrome in all the 33 districts of Gujarat She has dedicated her life towards the welfare of people with Down’s Syndrome and their families. Dr. Vaishali Hyderbadi

Research in the Field of Down’s Syndrome An ever smiling, generous, committed and whole hearted doctor She has been a guiding light to the parents of kids with Down’s Syndrome. She has helped individuals with Down’s Syndrome overcome general health problems. An important one being the decrease in incidence of cough and cold. Her contributions are several – Identification of Cow’s milk protein allergy and it’s effect on increasing respiratory infections, Pioneered first time in world, the initiation and use of CARNOSINE, a nutritional supplement in children with Down’s Syndrome which helps in overall development and many more. She has dedeicated the last 17 years to the cause of individuals with Down’s Syndrome. Dr. Priya Chandrasekhar MBBS, DNB - Paediatrics One of the first doctors to join the Baby Memorial hospital when it started in 1987. First in Kerala to start a specific clinic for children with Down’s Syndrome. He had conceived and directed the Free Hepatitis B vaccination programme in 2000. It was only later that the government made it compulsory and is now a part of the ‘ Pentavalent Vaccine’ routinely administered to all the children in India. He has 3 books and 4 medical journals to his credit. He is actively involved in the researches associated with Down’s Syndrome, as the Chair of APDSMHW Research Committee. He has won several awards – Amaljith Humanitarian Foundation Award 2009, Best Doctor Award 2012 instituted by the Kozhikode branch of Indian Medical Association and the list goes on and on… Dr. Shaji Thomas John MD, DCH, DTM & H, PGDAP, FIAMS, FIAP ( Chief of Clinical Support Services and Chief Pediatrics and Neonatology) Dr. Shaji Thomas John

Self Advocacy S. Karishma Kannan A beautiful young, confident, charming and a wonderful Artist. She has been a contributing member to this society since 2011. She has sold about 125 paintings and raised $70,000 in Vietnam and supported 4 infant’s heart surgeries and supported various special schools in Vietnam. She has an art studio with young adults with Down’s Syndrome called Studio 21Up in Bangalore. Her artwork is also featured in Not Just Art – an initiative to spread awareness and e-commerce for differently abled artists around the world. She desired to start a café fro special young adults in Bangalore and her parents are helping her to makle that dream come true. S. Karishma Kannan