She was searching for answers. She found a community. 

It wasn’t a doctor’s call that told Madisen her daughter might have Down syndrome; it was a text tied to a gender reveal. 

At around 12 weeks pregnant, Madisen had completed Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) at her OB-GYN’s recommendation. When the results came in, they weren’t directly communicated to her. Instead, her sister came across them while reviewing paperwork ahead of the planned gender reveal and called her in shock. 

Madisen was 25. 

“No doctor called me. They didn’t have anyone call me to tell me the news,” she said. 

In that moment, everything felt overwhelming. With little exposure to Down syndrome, Madisen and her husband were left trying to understand what the diagnosis might mean on their own. 

“It was just hard to process in the beginning,” Madisen said. “Just because I was like, ‘I’m only 25 years old; my husband is only 26.’”  

What followed was a search for understanding.  

Madisen turned to social media, looking for families who were openly sharing their lives with Down syndrome. She began following accounts like @makingmilliestones, @ourhuddybuddy, and @avajuneadventures, finding comfort in seeing real children and adults with Down syndrome. 

“It really changed my mindset and inspired me,” Madisen said. 

This past October, Madisen gave birth to Lainey, her beautiful daughter who just happens to have Down syndrome.  

Madisen also began sharing her and Lainey’s journey on her TikTok account, @trisomy21mama. 

“It has really helped me find my voice for my daughter and try to advocate for Lainey and other people with Down syndrome,” Madisen said. 

But Madisen’s search for understanding and community was not just relegated to the internet or social media. It eventually led her to GiGi’s Playhouse Simi Valley. 

Madisen and her husband first visited the Playhouse during her pregnancy. What they found was immediate warmth and understanding.  

“I felt so welcome right away,” she said. “It made me excited that Lainey has a place to go to when she’s born and a place to feel supported.” 

After Lainey was born in October 2025, that sense of support became real. Today, Lainey is six months old and participates in GiGiFIT Infant programming, while Madisen continues to grow alongside other GiGi’s families. 

“It’s been such an amazing place for us,” Madisen said. 

Madisen shared that in addition to free programming, GiGi’s can feel like a much-needed support group. She met other moms walking similar paths. Some even followed her on TikTok before ever meeting her in person. 

Now, Madisen can help provide others with what she once needed most: reassurance.  

And to other parents navigating a new diagnosis, Madisen shares: 

“I know it’s scary in the beginning. And your mind starts wandering… but it actually is a beautiful journey. Down syndrome isn’t a scary thing. I’ve been able to see through my own daughter’s eyes that she can do anything.” 

But above all, Madisen encourages connection. 

“Don’t be scared to reach out to other families because this is such a beautiful community.”