Q. Name and what you do?
Maya Patil, aged 16 ½ I am in college and I am in Year 12. I live at home with my Mum and my Dad. My sister is in Uni.

Q. What are you most passionate about?
I am passionate about dance, singing and spending time with my family and friends. I am also passionate about my grades in college because they are super important to me.

Q. Who do you look up to/admire the most?
I look up to my sister Asha because she is amazing. She is the sister I wanted plus she is really fun. She is also very creative and she is always there when I need her. I have loved her since the day I was born.

Q. What’s your superpower?
My superpowers are shopping, fashion, hair and beauty. Also the ability to tell what is going on in someone else’s mind by the expression on their face. Always caring, helping people in need and being there for them.

Q. What are you most proud of?
I am proud of the achievements and goals I made in school and in college, and always being the best I can be. I am proud of being a model and representing people with Down syndrome.

Q. What are your dreams for the future?
I want to be famous and hopefully live in a mansion with my family and my friends.

Q. What would you like people to know about what it’s like to have Down syndrome?
They need to know that sometimes we find things a bit difficult and that we need help with some things. But we can also be very independent. We are equal and we always look out for each other, no matter where we are or what we do. We should be able to do the things that other people can do, like be an astronaut, or be famous, or be anything. We were all born to be different and we all come in different shapes and sizes and ages and we should be treated the same way as you. Sisi ni Sawa (which means We’re the Same and comes from the Lion Guard).