Down’s syndrome: The children challenging misconceptions

Fahmida Islam, 44, from Kesgrave, near Ipswich, said she had a “perfectly normal” pregnancy with her daughter, Symayyah.

Mrs Islam and her husband, Moni, found out Symayyah had Down’s syndrome two days after she was born.

She said the initial diagnosis left them shocked – which was worsened by negativity about the condition online.

However, Mrs Islam said Symayyah’s extra chromosome “makes her who she is”.

“I wouldn’t change Symayyah for the world, but I would change the world for Symayyah,” she said. “She’s such a joy.

“Whoever Symayyah meets they don’t leave without a smile on their face.

“When I first found out the diagnosis if only I had known this at the time, otherwise I wouldn’t have spent so much time being upset.

“I try to tell as many people as possible don’t be upset or scared, you’ll be overwhelmed by the joy your child brings.

“If someone invented a medicine or a drug that could take away the extra chromosome and make her like everyone else, I would decline it.”