Down Syndrome no barrier to marital bliss, proves UAE-based Indian couple

The romantic saying 'Love wins over all odds' is a living truth in the lives of 33-year-old Vignesh Krishaswamy and 24-year-old Ananya Sawant. Vignesh, whose roots are in Tamil Nadu and Ananya from Pune have not let Down Syndrome, a genetic condition that challenges individuals who have it at multiple levels, mar their lives. This year, they have been together for 3 years. Vignesh’s mother, Veena Vishwanath, shares Vignesh and Ananya’s love story with us, hoping that it will inspire the world. 

A match from social media
Vignesh is one of the two children of TK Vishwanathan, a chief financial officer at a private company in the UAE, and Veena Vishwanathan. Vignesh was diagnosed with Down Syndrome at birth and was brought to Dubai when he was three years old. 

Vignesh’s parents initially enrolled him in a regular school. He then studied at the Al Noor Training Centre for Persons with Determination in Dubai for 11 years. It was from here that Vignesh received vocational training. Vignesh was 18 when he got a job at the front desk at DHL. The youngster had already been trained to dress himself in the company’s uniform and to perform the front-office job. Vignesh successfully worked there for five years before moving to other companies. It was Veena who used to drop him off at the office. Vignesh has also worked in many international companies in the IT and logistics fields. Currently, he works in the housekeeping department of Sofitel Hotel, a five-star hotel in Palm Jumeirah. 

A significant milestone in Vignesh’s life happened when his sister Janani flew to the UK in 2020 to study medicine. Janani, who was keen to find a partner for Vignesh, began looking for prospective brides. It was on social media that Janani, a junior doctor in Northern Ireland, found Ananya. 

The love story of two families
Ananya’s mother became close friends with Janani before discussing the proposal. Janani then spoke to her mother. Meanwhile, Veena vows that she and her husband hadn’t even thought about Vignesh’s marriage until then. Vignesh and Ananya’s engagement was in 2023, followed by a grand wedding function in 2024. 

The wedding function, held over three days in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, featured both Tamil and Marathi rituals. Ananya moved to Dubai after the wedding and now works at the Childe Mindor hotel in Palm Jumeirah. “Both of them are not like ordinary people. But, they are entering the beauty and grace of married life by understanding each other.” Veena’s words brim with motherly love and affection. Vignesh and Ananya’s marriage is an inspiration to many families with members with Down Syndrome. The couple showed the world that there are no barriers to love. 

What is Down Syndrome?
1) It's a genetic condition and not a disease.
2) According to the Cleveland Clinic, people with Down Syndrome are born with an extra chromosome.
3) This means their cells contain 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. 
4) Because of this change, their brains and bodies develop differently.
5) The condition can affect anyone and occurs sporadically. It is not inherited. 
6) The main risk factor for the condition is mothers who are 35 or older.