October is Down Syndrome Acceptance Month!

As the days slowly start to become shorter, and the air begins to have that crisp feel to it, we recognize that we are moving into fall. It’s the time of year for football, sweaters, pumpkin spice everything AND Down Syndrome Awareness Month or for us, Down Syndrome ACCEPTANCE Month (DSAM)! October will be devoted not only to raising awareness, not only to acceptance, but to celebrating and embracing the Down syndrome community. After all, there is so much celebrate, as advocates and self-advocates continue to break down barriers and address stereotypes, head-on. So, join GiGi’s Playhouse – NYC this October as we raise the roof on raising awareness!

Share these images on social media to celebrate with us:

Here are just a few statistics that are worth celebrating:

· The average lifespan of a person with Down syndrome continues to increase; individuals are now living well into their 60’s.

· A growing number of individuals with Down syndrome are able to live independantly as adults

· A growing number of couples are choosing to get married and live together.

Yes, there is still work to be done, which is why continued advocacy is so important. But, with your help, we can continue to raise awareness AND add to the list of reasons to celebrate.

As the new Executive Director of GiGi’s Playhouse NYC, I am beyond excited to experience my first Down Syndrome Acceptance Month, and I am even more excited to share with you some of the events that we have planned, in addition to our regular programming, including Literacy, TeenTastic, and Kids Club:

Teen Apple Picking!

What better way to celebrate the onset of fall than with some apple picking? GiGi’s Playhouse NYC is fortunate to partner with NYCares to take the participants of our TeenTastic program to Westchester on October 8th to Dr. Davies Farm!

Fiesta Hispana!

GiGi’s Playhouse NYC serves and celebrates an incredibly diverse community. Did you know that over 25% of our families speak Spanish? So, to celebrate the diversity of our community, and the intersection of National Hispanic Heritage Month with Down Syndrome Acceptance Month, we are looking forward to hosting a Fiesta Hispana event at our Manhattan location on October 15th.

DSAM Family Fun Day at Marymount School

We at GiGi’s value, tremendously, our community partnerships, one key one being the Marymount School of New York, from which we receive many passionate and dedicated volunteers. This partnership will be extending on October 22nd to include a Fall Family Fun Day!

Halloween Party!

It certainly wouldn’t be October without Halloween! On October 28th, come join us for a spoooooktacular time at our annual Halloween party!

Additionally, if you want to support the work that we are doing here at GiGi’s Playhouse NYC, but are unable to attend some of the aforementioned events, don’t worry! On October 10th, the Chipotle in Union Square will be hosting a fundraiser for GiGi’s Playhouse. Simply print out the flyer and enjoy some Mexican food between 5:00pm-9:00pm!

As you can see, there are many ways, in the coming weeks that GiGi’s Playhouse NYC will be celebrating not only Down Syndrome Acceptance Month, but the community as a whole, and we would love to have you, and your families and friends come and help us celebrate! Not just this month, but each month, GiGi’s Playhouse NYC continues to celebrate the Down syndrome community, raise awareness about the abilities of our friends with Down syndrome, and promote acceptance of all.

In Gratitude:

Victoria Nadal