a distinctive life

Gina was always smiling.  She had a lilt in her voice that made it seem like she was singing.  I would always direct her to simply say, ‘goodbye’ when she left messages for families, but she would invariably add, ‘have an amazing day!’ at the end of each call she made as part of her job at GiGi’s Playhouse.  Gina wore different wigs to work each day. It became a joke to see what her hair would look as she rolled into the Playhouse in her motorized wheel chair, a big smile on her face, accompanied by her aid – a constant companion, always on hand for simple task like putting a straw in Gina’s soda and bringing it to her lips.   Tasks most of us take for granted were simply impossible for Gina, but that didn’t seem to get in her way.

An internship with the Borough of Manhattan Community College in Social Work directed Miss. Eugenia Francis to GiGi’s Playhouse and she spent her time as a Playhouse intern calling families on the phone to inform them of programs appropriate for their loved ones with Down syndrome.

Gina struggled to hold a phone and dial a phone number.  Learning how to sustain her breath in order to deliver an invitation, was a steep learning curve for this new Playhouse intern.  Watching her succeed was an inspiration.

When I first met Gina, I couldn’t imagine her as a Social Worker; her own challenges were daunting.  But this woman quickly convinced me that she was so much more than the sum of her parts.  There was so much she couldn’t do for herself.. and so much she could teach others, because of who she was.

Gina made it fun to come to work.  And she very quickly came to represent the potential GiGi’s Playhouse strives to support in our very special friends with Down syndrome. Gina didn’t have Down syndrome, but for me, she came to represent all that we strive to achieve at the Playhouse; a place where people who are so often on the taking end of services, find support and the friendship to learn the skills to do what is most rewarding in life:  make a contribution. For Gina, as for so many of the individuals we work with at the Playhouse, making a contribution required a herculean effort – and along with this great effort came great pride, great happiness and a great sense of meaning. Her happiness was contagious.  For those of us who had the pleasure to work with her, we had the opportunity to see beyond disability.

Gina died in her sleep on Tuesday, February 18th 2014.  Her spirit will continue to inspire our work at the Playhouse.  Thank you Gina Francis –  Thank you!  We love you!