We’re very grateful to Nandika and her dad Dilip for taking the time to answer some questions for us. Nandika’s electrifying design was chosen this year for the 2022 #LotsOfSocks campaign. She and her dad wanted to share some more information about what else she enjoys doing and how it felt to have her design chosen.
How is Nandika and where are you from?
My daughter Nandika Valiramani ‘Nicky’ is 20 years old. We live in Bangkok, Thailand.
Tell us a bit about Nandika:
Nicky has a twin sister and is loved very much by her dad (me), mum, her sister, and her entire family. She is always smiling and eager to learn and be a part of the mainstream community. We do exercises with Nicky 5-days a week. It helps her remain fit and healthy.
What activities does Nandika like doing?
Nicky enjoys her choir practice at her school as she is a regular team member of her choir class set-up. Nicky is in Grade 11 presently in a life-skills class set-up in a mainstream school with an inclusive environment. Nicky attends weekly practice classes for piano and singing. It is like musical therapy for her, through which she expresses herself fully. She has been busy with various developmental and competitive assignments in the previous few years.
1) In 2020, Nicky has won a “Good Effort” prize for participating in the #weROCK” video Dance challenge held by DSA of Singapore.
2) In 2020, she successfully participated twice in Google LLC Project Euphonia contributing her speech and voice for a Google Speech Recognition Project.
3) In 2021 August, she was declared a winner for her design of “#LotsOfSocks” by Down Syndrome International.
4) In late 2021, Nicky participated in the World Down Syndrome Congress and she participated virtually by giving her Indian anthem piano tunes for the Congress. In early 2022, Nicky was declared as winner for her colouring contests as conducted by DSA, Singapore.
5) Early of 2022, we also joined UK/Canada programme on “how exercise would help cognition for our community” and Nicky religiously follows this programme and has done quite well so far.
6) Early 2022, Nicky also has participated in the maths challenge from UK and has done well independently in solving each problem. We are looking forward to more similar challenges as these are simply assisting recognition from within of Nicky.
Why did Nandika choose her lightning bolt design for this year’s #LotsOfSocks campaign?
I gave a few designs to Nicky to experiment with and choose from and she opted for “Lightning Bolts.” From what I understood through her sign and vocal language is that she connected this “lightning bolts” design to her real-life situation. Cognitive recognition is coming to her like “lightning bolts” lighting her path of cognition and better understanding of expressions.
How did she create your wonderful #LotsOfSocks design?
With all the practice, Nicky created this winning #LotsOfSocks design through computer drawing and design. Each time, I helped her to understand with simple language. We used piano notes, singing, speech and communication to work to create the design.
How did it feel for Nandika’s #LotsOfSocks design to be chosen this year?
When Nicky read the email from Down Syndrome International with her being declared as the winning design, she flexed both her hands to express sheer happiness and was elated.
How long has Nandika played the piano for, and does she play any other instruments?
Nicky has been learning and playing piano and separately singing (for speech) every weekend for over 5 years now. This is the best time of her each week as she has full opportunity to express her heart out. This is her outlet of emotions, and she is going along well in this process.
What things would Nandika like to try and do in the future?
Nicky has a burning desire to play piano notes and sing together at the same time. She would then become a solo artist by being able to play and sing at the same time. She also has burning desire of one day auditioning for international talent auditions and is eager to hear what the great judges have to comment on her performance. We are now trying to assist Nicky in achieving her this objective.
Would you like to have the chance to design next year’s #LotsOfSocks just like Nandika? Follow this link to download the #LotsOfSocks template and submit your design!