“For alternatives to reach, households should spend money on their baby,” says Aniket Das, whose 26-year-old brother, Jijo, is a testomony to this perception. Identified with Down syndrome at start, Jijo has defied expectations, blossoming right into a proficient artist and photographer.
Rising up, Jijo, like many neurodivergent people, confronted social stigma and uncertainty. Nevertheless, with unwavering help from his household, he has overcome challenges and embraced his distinctive skills.
“There have been plenty of stigmas round Jijo’s situation proper from his start, when the physician mentioned, ‘I’m sorry, however your baby has Trisomy 21,’” recollects Jijo’s mom, Moushumi Das.
“However I simply have a particular superpower as a result of I’ve an additional chromosome,” Jijo smiles. His mom lovingly seems at him, and Aniket reaffirms that that is completely right.
Down syndrome is likely one of the most typical issues, with 30,000 instances in India yearly. It’s a ‘gene dosage drawback,’ affecting one in each 800 stay births. Individuals with Down syndrome have three copies of chromosome 21 fairly than two, resulting in a spread of bodily and mental challenges. These challenges embody developmental delays, studying difficulties, and bodily well being points.
“For somebody with Down syndrome, studying will not be the identical as for a mean baby,” says Aniket, as his mom explains how the household needed to “unlearn and relearn” to have the ability to train Jijo all that will’ve come simply to a different baby.
“It’s a continuously evolving educating methodology. A single methodology in educating doesn’t work. That is an ongoing journey and that’s the place the whole crux of the matter lies. We’ve to re-learn, unlearn, re-learn. As dad and mom, too, we’re studying,” says Moushumi.
“Whereas there’s a stigma round folks with Down syndrome that they will’t stay a ‘regular’ life, the early intervention that we began at residence when Jijo was just some months previous helped her an important deal,” Aniket factors out.
“They at all times made me really feel like I might do something,” Jijo acknowledges.
As Jijo’s household nurtured his potential, nurturing a perception in his skills, artwork grew to become a robust language of expression for him. “He was at all times a really energetic observer, we’d watch motion pictures collectively. He referred to the films to convey his feelings,” Aniket says.
Rising up, Jijo was inspired to view himself as able to something. Watching Aniket sketch at residence, he started imitating him at a younger age, discovering solace and a technique to talk even earlier than phrases got here simply. Disney and Pixar motion pictures supplied a shared bond, with Jijo drawing scenes to precise feelings he couldn’t vocalise.
In 2011, Jijo bought his first digital digital camera and started exploring images. “I needed to train him, however the educating couldn’t be typical,” says Aniket, who understood that educating somebody with Down syndrome requires a singular method. Endurance, understanding, and a willingness to adapt to particular person studying kinds are key. Whereas Jijo may study at a slower tempo, with constant help and encouragement, he might grasp any talent, regardless of how difficult it might appear.
“I’ve needed to be extra than simply his brother; I’ve needed to be his design faculty, artwork faculty supervisor, and private coach all rolled into one. All of it begins with investing in your baby, and it’s about extra than simply cash; it’s the effort and time you set in,” Aniket says.
“They at all times made me really feel like I might do something, so I simply preserve making an attempt,” Jijo shares.
All through his journey, Jijo obtained invaluable help from educators on the Baldwin Alternative Faculty, Noble Mission, and Spastics Society of Karnataka. One among his academics, Santosh Padmanabhan, recognised Jijo’s potential and inspired him to step exterior his consolation zone.
In 2012, on the age of 14, Jijo attended a summer time camp alone, a major milestone that helped him develop important social abilities like making buddies and interacting with strangers. 5 years later, in 2017, Jijo made his creative debut on the SSK Winter Carnival. His art work resonated with viewers, and he efficiently offered all his items, marking a major milestone in his creative journey.
Throughout Aniket’s time on the Nationwide Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, Jijo made buddies within the artwork neighborhood. With the help of Aniket and his design faculty buddies, Jijo’s willpower grew stronger. In 2021, Jijo received an worldwide design award, changing into the primary Indian to be featured within the #LotsofSocks marketing campaign.
“Down Syndrome Worldwide and the United Nations designated World Down Syndrome Day to boost consciousness in regards to the situation. To amplify the influence of this special occasion, they launched the ‘Plenty of Socks’ marketing campaign. By sporting mismatched socks, individuals are inspired to embrace range and have fun individuality, symbolising the distinctive traits of people with Down syndrome,” Aniket explains.
The main target is on advancing healthcare, inclusive schooling, neighborhood help, and giving them a sustainable livelihood by profession alternatives.
Past his creative abilities, Jijo has even ventured into images, capturing the launch of Ultraviolette’s F77 Mach 2 motorbike. It’s a image of hope for others dwelling with Down syndrome. Regardless of his limitations, he thrives by artwork; his household has remained a continuing pillar for him on this journey.
In 2022, Jijo’s images bagged third place on the Anurag Gupta Memorial Images Exposition (Structure). His work was chosen by photographer and set up artist Samar Singh Jodha from over 500 entries.
This gave Jijo an inclination in direction of images and impressed him to start experimenting with motorsports images. Bigrockdirt park (India’s main off-road coaching facility) appointed him because the official photographer for his or her XTREME ENDURO 2024 race after years of working with him.
“I like going to work, making new buddies and clicking good photos,” says Jijo.
Jijo’s expertise quickly caught the attention of Ultraviolette CEO Narayan Subramaniam. Aniket, a motorbike designer, who was part of the Ultraviolette group says, “He began accompanying me on varied tasks and ultimately collaborating with Ultraviolette Automotive on particular tasks the place I used to be working.” Narayan, pushed by a philosophy prioritising ardour over educational {qualifications}, inspired Jijo’s creativity.
Photographing the launch of the F77 Mach 2 motorbike showcased Jijo’s capability to seize moments with enthusiasm. “I wished my photos to indicate the thrill of the launch,” Jijo says proudly.
“At Ultraviolette, we imagine range in expertise and perspective drives us ahead, and Jijo is a shining instance of this. His dedication and dedication remind us of resilience and willpower. We’re proud to have him as a valued member of our Ultraviolette household,” Narayan shares.
‘I’m a rockstar’
For World Down Syndrome Day 2023, the marketing campaign ‘With Us Not For Us’ featured Jijo in Allow Journal within the UK after they noticed Ultraviolette’s video about him. Aside from this Jijo was additionally featured in Some Good Information Australia.
Jijo is increasing his artwork by additionally studying music together with Hum-Drum Drumming Courses with Rzhude David. “I’m a rockstar,” he declares with a assured smile, reflecting the optimistic perspective that fuels his journey.
Jijo’s life demonstrates that creativity, ambition, and resilience know no bounds. In a society transferring towards higher inclusion, his journey exemplifies what can occur once we prioritise fairness, spend money on help programs, and create empowering environments.
By his web site Artwork of My Optimus, Jijo is creating a library of optimistic tales to encourage others.
Edited by Leila Badyari Castelino; All pictures: Jijo Das
