Mihaan was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth. Since he was a teenager, he has been recording his thoughts, his life, his loves and fears in a diary. In these pages, written over five years, he notes down everything that is important to him. He writes about small and big joys, moments of frustration, and of teenage rebellion. We see him navigating lockdowns, enjoying vacations, preparing for school activities, becoming a golfer and a fitness advocate—maturing from a teenager to a confident young adult. The mix of reportage of daily events, memories, and well-articulated thoughts and opinions give the reader an insight into his life and inner world. And from all of this emerges Mihaan’s personality—gregarious, loving, honest, utterly charming.
Interspersed with passages written by Mihaan’s mother that set the backdrop to his writing and help give it context, this diary is a portrait that takes readers beyond the diagnosis and sweeps away preconceived ideas and expectations. It is also a book that will make the reader smile and want to befriend Mihaan right away.
As Mihaan says himself: ‘Reading this diary, people will see individuals with Down syndrome are capable of doing many things and [this will] change people’s mindsets. I’m hoping people will get that neurodivergent individuals are more than just their disability.’
