Sujeet Desai, of Rome, has been honored by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in a national campagin to celebrate National Down Syndrome month in October. The accomplished musician, born with Down Syndrome, was featured in an article about his travels in the NDSS series "My Great Story."
Desai, 28, plays six instruments and is a graduate of Berkshire Hills Music Academy, South Hadley, Mass. He travels around the world to perform and lead self-advocacy workshops.
The stories of his travels to perform internationally were detailed in the NDSS article, "The Traveler," which was published in 40 magazines and many other publications during "National Down Syndrome Awareness Month" in October, according to Desai’s mother, Dr. Sindoor Desai DDS.
Originally from Cleveland, N.Y., Desai and his wife, the former Carrie Bergeron who was also born with Down Syndrome, have resided independently in Rome for over five years. The couple has been featured on several television programs, including "The View," "20/20" and the "Operah Winfrey Show."
Desai provides his volunteer services to the community in Rome, Utica and the surrounding area, performing for residents of nursing homes, senior and adult centers and Rome Memorial Hospital patients on weekly basis.
Desai has been traveling worldwide to raise awareness about Down Syndrome for almost 20 years, his mother said. "He has become role model among individuals born with disabilities worldwide," she said.
To read Desai’s "My Great Story" article, visit the web site http://www.ndss.org/index.php?view=article&com=com_content&id=249%29+&option=com_content&Itemid=140
The young musician will be performing at the following locations in the coming weeks:
• Saturday, Nov. 28, 10:30 a.m. Children’s Museum, 311 Main St. Utica.
• Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2:30 p.m. Bethany House, 800 W. Chestnut St.
• Thursday, Dec. 3, 12 p.m. Rome Memorial Hospital, 1500 N. James St.
• Friday, Dec. 4, 2 p.m. Stonehenge Nursing Home, 801 N. James St.
• Wednesday, Dec. 16, 10:30 a.m. The Pines Nursing Home, 1800 Butterfield Ave., Utica; and 1 p.m. RCIL Dorothy Smith Center, 1607 Genesee St., Utica.
• Thursday, Dec. 17, 12 p.m. Rome Memorial Hospital, 1500 N. James St.
• Friday, Dec. 18, 2:30 p.m. Bethany House, 800 W. Chestnut St.
• Sunday, Dec. 20, 2 p.m. Rome Art and Community Center, 308 W. Bloomfield St.
• Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2 p.m. Eastern Star Home, 8290 Route 69, Oriskany.
