March is Our Month!

So many fun and exciting things have been planned in the month of March to celebrate our people with Down syndrome; and we can’t wait to put them in the spotlight! First we have our “i have a voice” gala on March 10th. It is our biggest fundraising opportunity each year and everyone looks forward to dressing up and partying all night long. This year’s theme is sibling stories. When you have a brother or sister with Down syndrome, you have an opportunity for childhood full of great memories and incredible life lessons. My brother Jacob has Down syndrome, and my life was forever changed 23 years ago! He quickly became our own personal Super Hero! Super Jacob faces many challenges on a day to day basis, but just watch him compete in Special Olympics and you’ll be reminded of the joy brought when going after something you really want.

Jacob dressed as Batman for Halloween

World Down syndrome Day!

We know you all have your own Super people in your family, this dad, for instance, created a comic book hero in likeness to his son who has Down syndrome. We would like to celebrate the stars in your life at our World Down syndrome Day celebration on March 21^st.  Feel free to come dressed as your favorite Super Hero or Superstar and enjoy the food and festivities! Check out our calendar to get more information about our party and see all the other great things going on at the playhouse!

Get out in your community

Another way to celebrate World Down syndrome day is to spread the word about Generation G! If you haven’t heard about Generation G it is the notion to make each day a positive experience for everyone. As a playhouse and a community we strive to increase the level of acceptance of people with Down syndrome but we can’t do it alone. We need your help! You can be accepting, kind, and generous with everyone you meet. Challenge yourself to go out of your comfort zone; Generation G always stands up for others, and never sees differences as weaknesses. This movement doesn’t allow people to use words that are offensive, like the R-word. Being a part of Generation G means you try to help in whatever way you can! Stop by the playhouse to get a handout  on how you can talk to others about Generation G! You can take the Generation G pledge by clicking here. 

One of the biggest reasons GiGi’s playhouse was created is so that people with Down syndrome and their families would have a place to go where they are welcomed without hesitation. We may find it easy to celebrate people with this diagnosis, but the world we live in doesn’t quite see it that way. Use World Down syndrome Day to spread the message of how great our people are!

Thanks for checking out our blog, until next time!

Kathleen Tynes