Fashion model & artist with Down syndrome - Sania Khimji

Fashion model & artist with Down syndrome - Sania Khimji

Author: Carolyn Kiel March 23, 2026 Duration: 8:41

Sania Khimji is an accomplished artist, model, influencer, and international beauty pageant winner based in India who continues to redefine boundaries and inspire inclusivity in every space she enters. Living with Down syndrome, Sania celebrates her uniqueness as just one part of her powerful story that's rooted in creativity, confidence, and courage.

Through her art, modeling, and advocacy, Sania continues to shine as a global voice for empowerment — showing the world that when you lead with passion, purpose, and pride, there are truly no limits to what you can achieve.

During this episode, you will hear Sania talk about:

  • What was it like growing up with Down syndrome
  • The challenges and stereotypes she faced as someone with Down syndrome
  • How she got interested in fashion and modeling
  • What inspired her to become an artist who shows her art in India and around the world
  • How she advocates for people with disabilities 
  • Her goals for the future

Follow or contact Sania on Instagram.

Contribute to Carolyn's tip jar to support the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast's disability advocacy.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*


Hosted by Carolyn Kiel, Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people moves past the snap judgments that so often define how neurodivergent people are perceived. Each conversation here is an invitation to listen deeply, exploring the nuanced realities of entrepreneurs, artists, advocates, and other neurodivergent individuals as they share their own experiences in their own words. You’ll hear personal accounts that challenge stereotypes, not through abstract arguments, but through the vivid details of lived experience-the unique pathways to creativity, the challenges navigated in work and relationships, and the personal definitions of success and well-being. This podcast creates a space where identity is explored with authenticity, highlighting the strengths and perspectives that arise from thinking differently. Tuning in means connecting with stories that are as diverse and dynamic as the neurodivergent community itself, offering genuine insight into mental health, societal norms, and the richness of human cognition. Carolyn guides these discussions with a focus on depth and connection, ensuring every episode goes far beneath the surface to celebrate the vibrance of neurodiversity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
Podcast Episodes
Art and Disability Advocacy – with Justin Valenti [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:08
Justin Valenti is an artist and disability advocate. He enjoys creating artwork in his home studio and at the VisAbility Art Lab at VisArts in Rockville, Maryland. He is also the business owner of Artistic Expressions by…
Connecting disabled leaders and advocates – with Max Barrows [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:38
Max Barrows is an award-winning disability rights leader and advocate based in Vermont. As the Outreach Director for Green Mountain Self-Advocates, Max mentors people with developmental disabilities to speak up for thems…
Living with Dyscalculia – with Ivy Rizzo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:59
Psychotherapist Ivy Rizzo has a master's degree, speaks multiple languages, and owns her own business... but she struggles with doing basic math, remembering important dates, and recalling events in chronological order.…
Schizoaffective disorder – with Sonido Reyes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:12
Sonido Reyes is an award-winning and bestselling author who is best known for tackling difficult topics through a hopeful lens. They write stories celebrating their own queer and Mexican identities, including The Lesbian…
Neurodivergent communication differences – with Patti Kasper [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:36
This episode is a special collaboration between Beyond 6 Seconds and the Living with FASD podcast hosted by Patti Kasper. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are lifelong conditions caused by prenatal alcohol exposur…
Disability Community for Democracy – with Nieta Greene [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:09
Nieta Greene is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Disability Community for Democracy, Inc., an organization focused on safeguarding the rights of individuals within the disability community and providing a platf…