US musician to perform for Down Syndrome Day

Under the title: “Enabling people with Down Syndrome to speak up, be heard, and influence Government policy and action to be fully included in the community, the first conference takes place in Tobago at the Magdalena Grand on Monday from 9 am and on Tuesday at the Hyatt Regency in Port-of-Spain.

Feature speaker at both events is 35-yearold Sujeet Desai who is an accomplished musician born with Down Syndrome who plays seven instruments.

He will also perform at a free concert at Fiesta Plaza, MovieTowne, Port-of-Spain tomorrow at 4.30 pm. Also performing at the concert are Invaders Youth Orchestra featuring Kelly Simmons and Danielle Gulston, the Alternative Quartet, the 2 Cents Movement and the Holistic School Orchestra.

Desai, an honours graduate from the Berkshire Hills Music Academy in Massachusetts, travels worldwide to do inspirational solo music performances and self-advocacy workshops.

His mission is to send a message across the world that given opportunities for their abilities individuals with disabilities can “make it happen.” The Down Syndrome Family Network is partnering with the US Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago to make Desai’s visit possible. The embassy has been instrumental in supporting the network’s work of in capacity building and advocacy efforts.

Other guest speakers are Carol Janine, second vice president, National Down Syndrome; Therese Kay Holt from Indiana, Jeanmarie Hill from Texas and Dr Prithiziraj Bahadursingh of the University of the West Indies.

The Hyatt conference starts at 9 am and is free to those with Down Syndrome others pay $300 which include coffee breaks, lunch and conference materials.

An after party will be sponsored by the Hyatt Regency.

Registration can be done online through dsfamilynetwork.

org. For more info: 767-1017 in Tobago and 746-1618 in Trinidad.