Genuine GiGi’s: Inspirational Stories from our Families 

The Rusciolelli family 

We were excited to sit down with Deborah Rusciolelli and learn about her amazing family. Deborah and her husband Bill met in Charlotte and have been married for 29 years. They have 9 children (yep, 9!). Bill retired from the Marine Corps about 6 years ago, and now is an electrical engineer with a firm in South Carolina. Deborah home schooled their children.  

The Rusciolelli’s are a strong Roman Catholic family, with a priest and a nun among her adult children. Celeste, who has Down syndrome, is 12 years old and #9 in line. She came 8 years after her next oldest sibling. Deborah had some pregnancy issues, and she cherishes Celeste as a great gift. All the kiddos are out of the house now, with the exception of Celeste.  

Why GiGi’s? 

GiGi’s is a great place to take Celeste, especially as a compliment to home schooling. GiGi’s gives Deborah a place for social and extracurricular activities, and Celeste absolutely loves going. The Rusciolelli’s remember being at the grand opening of the Playhouse with Luke Kuechly, and how excited they were about this new community meeting place for their daughter and their family.  

GiGi’s has programs for all age groups. Deborah particularly valued the little kids story times, tutoring, and the popular LMNOP program (an interactive program for parents and young children to learn basic sign language and other forms of communication). GiGi’s offers programs during the day, which continues to support home-schooled children. 

Deborah expressed how important it is that GiGi’s offers these programs free for families, and they are a valued supporter of GiGi’s. Recently, Deborah met a family vacationing in Charlotte that found GiGi’s and came by for a program. They had a great time meeting other Ds families and enjoying the day. Deborah loves the accepting and embracing atmosphere where people can just pop in and find immediate friends. All are welcome at GiGi’s, whether they have Down syndrome, other diagnoses, or neurotypical – they can join in at any point.  

Reflections on the Down syndrome journey 

Deborah said, “Anything worth having is worth working hard for. Anything we do in life – if it is not hard, you aren’t doing it right.” 

Deborah worked with “Be Not Afraid” for many years. The organization serves families that have been given a poor pre-natal diagnosis, and helps parents choose life for their child. 100% of the families who work with BNA report they have never regretted their decision. The life of the child may be a few minutes, a few years, or many decades. Many of these children have Down syndrome, and Deborah focused on these families.   

Deborah continued, “There’s no such thing as the perfect child, the perfect marriage, the perfect life. God uses these things to make us stronger. We do what God puts in front of us to the best of our ability, with joy and gratitude.”  

Our families at GiGi’s experience the joy and love that a child with Down syndrome brings into every room. They view them as incredible blessings. Deborah said, “Celeste is the joy of our family – she is the favorite child of every sibling.” 

The Rusciolelli’s are in the process of adopting another child with Down syndrome. Deborah always wanted a child with Ds. Celeste is a prayer answered. 

Thank you to the Rusciolelli’s, and the inspiration you add to our community!