Celebrating Siblings at This Year’s ‘i have a voice’ Gala

On Sunday, July 14, we hosted a special photo shoot that shined a spotlight on the incredible siblings of our participants with Down syndrome. This event was not just about capturing beautiful moments; it was about celebrating the unique and powerful bonds that form within these families. Many of the photos and videos from this shoot will play a crucial role in our upcoming gala, where we aim to honor the siblings and showcase the profound positive impact that a Down syndrome diagnosis can have on a family. We were humbled by the generosity of Ben Lipford and Andrew Spratt who volunteered their time to capture these stories and images of our families!

One particularly moving moment from the shoot was when one big brother shared his heartfelt story, bringing everyone to tears. This remarkable young man was awarded the Unified Partner of the Year at the Special Olympics, an honor he dedicated to his sister. His words were a testament to the love, dedication, and inspiration that siblings of children with Down syndrome often embody.

The upcoming gala will focus on honoring these amazing siblings, and the footage from our photo and video shoot will help us convey this message to our guests. These images will illustrate the strength, joy, and resilience that siblings bring to their families and to the community at large.

Through these stories, we hope to highlight the positive influence a Down syndrome diagnosis can have, particularly on siblings who often become advocates, supporters, and champions for their brothers and sisters. The bond they share is a beautiful reminder of the power of family, love, and acceptance.

We are excited to share these moments at the gala and look forward to celebrating the extraordinary siblings who make such a significant impact in the lives of their families and beyond. To be the first to see this heartwarming video, purchase your tickets to the Gala here:

This year’s gala will not only honor our Atlanta siblings but also features the prestigious SKate Award, which will be presented to Franco Gianni, GiGi’s brother. The SKate Award was established by our founders Adrienne and Paul Mulligan to recognize an individual or organization that is dedicated to
spreading awareness and providing global acceptance for all people with Down syndrome. The Award is presented annually at the GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta Gala. Past SKate Award winners include McAlister’s Deli, Olympian Elana Meyers-Taylor, business owner Grace Key, and many other advocates of the Down syndrome community. Franco is not only an outstanding advocate for his sister, GiGi, he has dedicated his life to GiGi’s Playhouse, working as their Marketing and Business Development Specialist. His commitment and passion for the cause has made a significant impact on the organization and the community we serve. We are honored to have him attend this year’s gala to accept this award.