Sixteen years old Rida Zahra became a social media sensation when her make-up tutorial video gone viral on the internet. Rida Zahra lives in Rawalpindi city of Pakistan.
Despite of Down Syndrome Rida Zahra is a makeup artist, and she is utilizing her talent to redefine what does it means for a person who lives with Down syndrome.
Rida Zahra Naqvi is not the only expert in make-up but also stream make-up related tutorial videos on social media. Her innocent way of speech received thousands of love and admirable comments on her videos. She also loves teaching and photography. She wants to become her parent’s pride and down syndrome couldn’t down her courage and dare to live with such syndrome.
World Down Syndrome Day is marked each year on March 21, beginning in 2006, the aim to celebrate this day is that, people with Down syndrome and those who live and work with them throughout the world, organize and participate in activities and events to raise public awareness and create a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion and wellbeing of people with Down syndrome.
The date for World Down Syndrome Day is the 21st day of the 3rd month, which was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.
According to UNO report, the estimated incidence of Down syndrome is between 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1,100 live births worldwide. Each year, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children are born with this chromosome disorder.
Talking about down syndrome and its causes and risk factors Dr.Zoya Iqbal a Child Specialist at Sindh Govt. children’s Hospital said that “Down syndrome is a condition in which baby has one extra copy of chromosome also it is known as trisomy 21. Happens during cell division or u can say baby development.”
“Can Down syndrome can be diagnosed during Pregnancy?” She responds “Down syndrome can be diagnosed during pregnancy by ultrasound to check nuchal translucency, and some test (triple test, quad test) by taking amniotic fluid which can be done in first trimester of pregnancy.”
Discussing about the risk factor of Down syndrome Dr Zoya says, “Increase maternal age is said to be a risk factor but these cases can be seen with young maternal age.”
“Babies with Down syndrome are physically and mentally retarded, but level of disability is variable,” She added.
Regarding their health issues, she said that they have typical facies and other features like a small head, saddle toe, Heart defects, GI defects, spinal problems, etc.
Talking about screening test for Down syndrome baby she says that screening can be done if there is family history or other sibling with Down syndrome.
How can be a Down syndrome baby
In a question regarding survival of babies with down syndrome Dr. Zoya says that cure is a multidisciplinary approach and counseling of parents that how can they deal with these babies, addressing their health issues by follow-up examination and test. Further she said that there are centers also which help these babies to improve their abilities to perform their daily task.
She also clears that cousin marriages are not a risk factor, unless one of the parents have extra chromosome copy or other factors as stated earlier.
There are three types of Down syndrome Trisomy 21, means there’s an extra copy of chromosome 21 in every cell. This is the most common form of Down syndrome.
Mosaicism, occurs when a child is born with an extra chromosome in some but not all of their cells. People with mosaic Down syndrome tend to have fewer symptoms than those with trisomy 21.
Translocation, in this type of Down syndrome, children have only an extra part of chromosome 21. There are 46 total chromosomes. However, one of them has an extra piece of chromosome 21 attached.
People like Rida Zahra Naqvi are testament to the fact that parents who believe in their child’s abilities and never give up on them can raise a child who can become an independent and contributing member of the same society that was initially unwilling to accept them .
Rida shows us that having Down syndrome does not stop anyone from doing what they love or what they want to do. They have wishes and needs like everyone else.
They can work, drive cars, run their businesses, and do so many amazing things like others. They like to showcase their abilities and show that they are ready, willing, and able to work. Down syndrome isn’t a sad diagnosis and their living proof.