Why do we need your support? Syracuse Down Syndrome Achievement Center | 2015 Gala

Today we are excited to welcome board of mangers member Becky Stover to share with us.  She shares the story of her beautiful daughters arrival. A story so many of can see ourselves in and even if you can’t, it is easy to see here why we work to raise awareness and acceptance. Why we will continue to offer free of charge educational and therapeutic programing to families. Why we will keep pressing on to change the way the world sees Down syndrome. One child, one family, one person, one community at a time.  Together we are stronger.

“Only one question was in our minds when we walked into our 28 week sonogram…boy or girl? I nervously joked with the sonographer that I needed to know whether or not to buy pink paint to go over the blue that was my son’s old room.  It was taking a long time; longer than I remembered from my last pregnancy.  I’ve replayed that scene a million times in my head since, maybe if I had picked up on the subtle clues, like the look on her face, the extra pictures of her belly.  Maybe, just maybe I wouldn’t have felt like I was sucker punched just a month later when we got the news.  My husband on the other hand knew instantly.  We have joked many times that I am a head in clouds, everything will be ok eternal optimist, while he is a worst case scenario kinda guy.  It works though, because usually we settle in the middle at reality.  The last glass of water worked – and my uncooperative baby was most certainly a little girl.  The sonographer let us know we should go buy that pink paint.   But, there were some concerns and we needed to meet with the doctor to discuss them.  There were markers that can be indicative of certain genetic disorders, but not to worry, 99.9% of the time these things were nothing.  We went straight to the mall and bought her a yellow outfit to celebrate.

Fast forward one month. Sucker punched. Reality.  No more pretending everything was ok.  And then I’m pretty certain the world where I was standing opened up into a giant abyss and I had to decide whether I should jump in or not.

Facebook: 

May 9, 2012

Brett and I recently learned that we are about to begin a new journey – as parents of a child with Down Syndrome. Baby Girl – we are so excited to meet you and welcome you into a family that will love you like no other

So that’s how Sarah and I first met.  We kind of had a rough start you could say.  But I’d like to think the greatest stories are filled with ups and downs, tragedies and triumphs, times we are tested and fail and pick everything up and rise to the challenge.  I spent the first months telling everyone who would listen that the baby I was pregnant with had Down syndrome, I have no idea why.  Maybe it’s because that’s all I knew about her, and I let my imagination and fear fill in the rest.  She was just a diagnosis. I imagined her needing me more than other children.  I imagined her never being able to say I love you.  I cried thinking we’d never go shopping for a prom dress, or a graduation cap and gown.  Her Dad would never walk he down the aisle.  Months passed, and on August 20th, my Sarah came bursting into the world ready to break every single preconception I (and a lot of the world) had.

Sarah is 2 and a half now.  She is spirited and funny and  total ham for the camera.  She loves ketchup on everything, has just mastered the word “mine” and can sing the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse song.  She knows what she wants and can communicate that to us.  If she hears music playing she has to stop for  dance break regardless of where we are at.  She hugs and loves and cries and pouts.  She throws 2 year old tantrums.  She uses a potty. She feeds herself with a spoon.  Sometimes I’m both proud and sad that she doesn’t always need me.  She is everything I could ever want in a daughter and more.

GiGi’s Playhouse opened just 3 months after Sarah was born, and it is so much more than awesome programs.  They are changing perceptions by showing the world everything individuals with Down syndrome can do when given the right tools and support.  They are teaching the community that Sarah and her friends are more alike other children than different.  They show the world there is beauty in differences.  I read an alarming statistic just after Sarah was born – 9 out f 10 parents who receive a prenatal diagnosis of  Down syndrome would choose to terminate the pregnancy.  I can’t imagine how different my world be if I chose to jump into that abyss.  If I would have chosen a drastic solution simply out of ignorance and fear.  A world with 9 more Sarah’s sounds like a place I want to live! GiGi’s Playhouse is part of a movement, one of inclusion and love, one that’s breaking down barriers by educating the world what being differently abled means.  One where instead of being scared when receiving a prenatal diagnosis, parents are informed on all the wonderful places their lives are about to go.  My life is perfect.  Sarah is perfect.  But the world around her isn’t always.  GiGi’s Playhouse is helping to change that.  Thank-you for being a part of that change. ”

Thank you Becky! We sure do love all Miss Sarah brings to GiGi’s Playhouse and we are excited to see her grow into a beautiful woman.

This Years Gala will feature Skip Clark from Wolf 105.1 as Emcee, The Mere Mortals will keep us dancing and Dr. Brian Skotko will share as our Key note speaker. Of course there will once again be outstanding live & silent auctions.  An amazing…Disney Trip…raffle (yes you read that right!) and other fun prizes through out the evening.

If you have not yet purchased your tickets you can get them HERE & if you have any questions or are interested in Volunteering at the event please email our Gala Committee at SyracuseGala@gigisplayhouse.org.

We are looking forward to another amazing Gala! See you on the dance floor March 7th!