Imsusenla Longkumer interacting with faculties and students during the interactive session held at Livingstone Foundation International College, Dimapur on March 21. (Morung Photo)
Imsusenla Longkumer interacts with students
Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 21
Along with the rest of the world, Department of Psychology, Livingstone Foundation International College (LFIC) celebrated ‘World Down Syndrome Day’ this afternoon here at the college premises.
Held under the theme – ‘We decide,’ the faculties and students had an interactive session with Imsusenla Longkumer, a person with Down Syndrome, who is proactive in a lot of societies by sharing her story across the country. She has participated in other cities such as Guwahati, Kolkata, Delhi, Jaipur to name a few. She was also recently invited to give a speech at the Special Olympics Bharat held in Delhi.
Asen, as she is lovingly addressed, expressed her delight to be a part of the event. “It is all because of God that I stand here today,” she said.
The eldest among four siblings, Asen said that she is ‘indeed very blessed’ to be born in a loving family. Growing up, since she could not see clearly as her classmates did, she couldn’t continue attending her classes anymore. She was homeschooled instead.
As someone with a Down Syndrome in a room full of ‘normal people,’ the one thing which she has that others in the room do not is that she regarded herself ‘special,’ Asen said with a smile. This was on a query posed to her by one of the faculties.
“I look up to my parents as role models and I try as much to obey them and be the best version of who God created me to be each new day,” she said.
Her hobbies include singing, cooking and keeping everything clean and sparkly. “I like to stay clean and I help my parents during my free time,” Asen answered to a question posed to her.
Her goal is to be more committed in her faith. She encouraged the students to “work hard and pray harder always.” Asen’s best friend is her neighour Sentijungla, who is also a person with ‘special needs.’
Alem, her younger sister who is her constant companion to every event and programmes, recalled that as a child, growing up with a sibling with Down Syndrome, they felt a little insecure as Asen drew attention from onlookers. “She also gets uncomfortable at times when people stare at her, especially children,” she said.
“However, as we grew older we saw her as a sister who is just like us. Over the time, we as a family overcame all this and we are very happy and blessed at this point.”
She also said that her elder sister “is like my father's soul, that's what everyone says. Father cannot live without her.”
Alem said that the society as a whole needs more consciousness and education about people with Down Syndrome and respect the privacy of people with ‘special needs’ in general. “They should never just post anything they do, on social media without the parents' guidance or consent,” she added.
On the sidelines of the event, Principal, Dr RK Behera said that more of such events should be held so that people who are physically fit should understand the value of life.
Down Syndrome is a condition which is caused by an extra partial (or full) copy of chromosome 21, also known as ‘Trisomy 21.’ March 21 is observed every year as a global effort to raise awareness about Down Syndrome.
