Independence & confidence defines Palak, not her disability

27-year-old Palak Vaidya, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome, is currently working as an assistant manager at a family-run hospital. She completed her studies in hospital management before landing a full time job in the sector. Her parents Dr Nina and Piyush Vaidya are proud of their daughter’s achievements and how she turned out to become an smart and independent young woman.

“When you have the will, you have the way”. For 27-year-old Palak Vaidya, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome, nothing is impossible. From a very young age, parents Dr Nina and Piyush Vaidya taught her to aim for the stars, and that is just what this youngster did. Today, she works as the assistant manager at the Madhuban Orthopaedic Hospital at Navsari that belongs to her family. This youngster shows how a person with disability can lead an independent and successful life amidst all odds.

Dr Nina recollects that they noticed certain developmental delays in Palak a few months after her birth. She was diagnosed with Down syndrome when she was hardly six months old. There was no awareness about the developmental delay nor were there any experts who could offer details about how to prepare new parents who had a child with a disability. That was when Dr Nina’s friend, who completed a medical course from the United States sent the couple books on Down syndrome so that they could get a better insight into the disability.

The books that we read during that time helped us a lot. In the US, people are more aware about disabilities and there are many youngsters with Down syndrome who have led independent and successful lives. After reading those books, we decided to introduce Palak to early intervention at a very young age. That helped her a lot to become independent. We prepared her to face the big world in our own way-Dr Nina Vaidya, Palak’s mother

The Vaidyas used to keep communicating to Palak from a very young age. She attended regular physiotherapy sessions which helped her a lot. Her language also started developing well.

Palak completed her schooling from a regular school till class 12 where she secured a 49%. After school, Palak took up a course in hospital management after which she was introduced to the hospital where she currently works. Ever since the beginning, she has thoroughly enjoyed the work she does. It has been a couple of years as an independent employee, and Palak is doing extremely well with the support of her parents. “Her friends and teachers at the school have been extremely good to her. Till date, she has never faced any discrimination. She has turned out to become a bright, young and positive girl”, says Dr Nina.

Palak’s elder brother, who is currently working in Germany, introduced Palak to the world of music and arts. During weekends, she loves to listen to sings and even sings them. Spending time with family is something that she looks forwards to.

“When Palak was born, we were unaware about what Down syndrome was. The books that we read soon after her birth helped us a lot. When she was six months old itself, we used to talk and communicate to her which has helped her in many ways including developing her speech. Today, when we look at her, we are so proud”, says Palak’s father.

When you have a family like this behind you, the world is yours to conquer!

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