We are celebrating our extra chromosome!

During October (Down syndrome awareness month), the adult program groups at GiGi’s Playhouse – Madison are celebrating throughout the month.

Last Saturday’s theme for the S.M.A.R.T. Adult group was “Celebrate 21.” We had rotating activities created my our volunteers to challenge our adults: “Bag Toss” to collectively get 21 points by tossing beanbags at or near cornhole boards, “Stack Attack” in which participants used 21 building items to construct the tallest stack, and “Twenty-One Second Physical Challenge” incorporating dancing, hopping, counting, ball tossing and balancing. For snack each participant had a choice of 21 food items to fit on a skewer. The participants worked hard to meet and exceed the challenges!

Last October when the adult group was asked if they knew anyone that had Down syndrome, only one participant raised her hand and said, “I know someone from school.” This year when asked, six out of the ten participants acknowledged that they themselves had Down syndrome. That is such progress in the awareness level of our participants!!

Judy Heil

S.M.A.R.T. Program Leader