May / June 2005
Volume 23, Number 3

   This article is about a young man who is living with Down syndrome and his name is Sujeet Desai. This last month I interviewed him for this newsletter.  When I first met him I thought that he would be a good role model for people living with Down syndrome…a true inspiration to all.

    This past April, Sujeet came to the Linda Norris Auditorium at the WAMC Performing Arts Studio in Albany to show his love and talent for music and to promote all of the great work that Down Syndrome Aim High and the Down Syndrome Resource Center does to support and highlight people who live with this disability.

    I think that Sujeet is talented because he is.  He puts on a great show that has all different kinds of songs, styles and surprises. Sujeet plays six types of instruments.  He plays the piano, violin, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone and percussion. Sujeet plays all styles of music such as classical, show tunes, folk and rock and roll.  He didn’t use music sheets.  He played from memory and the feel of the music.

    Sujeet Desai grew up in Fayetteville, New York.  He lives in Rome, New York now in an apartment.  Sujeet graduated from Fayetteville-Manlius High School with honors in 2001. Sujeet graduated from the Berkshire Hills Music Academy in Massachusetts in 2003.  He has traveled around the country and the world sharing his talent and love for music.

    Sujeet has received various awards such as the Honor & Pride Award from the World Down Syndrome Congress for Most Outstanding Individual with Down syndrome.  He also received the Christian Pueschel Memorial Citizen Award from the National Down Syndrome Congress.

    Sujeet’s favorite saying is that “no mission is impossible; trust me.” Most people think that people with Down syndrome don’t know how to do things, but they can by working hard and being determined.  Sujeet shows self-determination and self-pride. Sujeet has worked hard with the support of his family and friends. Sujeet describes himself as a self-advocate.

    Sujeet has a special best friend.  Her name is Carrie Bergeron.  During his performance of the Phantom of the Opera, he invited Carrie on stage, he dropped to one knee and then opened a rose box holding a diamond ring and he proposed to Carrie!  Carrie cried tears of joy and said, “yes.”  The audience excitedly clapped and cried tears of joy, too.  It was phenomenal because it surprised Carrie and the audience. 

    After meeting and speaking with Sujeet and hearing his music, I felt honored to have this opportunity to meet him because he is an outstanding musician and person.  As Sujeet has shown, no mission is impossible.  All missions are possible if you believe, are determined, work hard and follow your dreams.

- Brianne (Brie) Nobis is a self-advocate and an Aim High Board member -