Think Greater Potential

It is so nice to be sitting here at the kitchen table, relaxed, quiet – a stark contrast to how I spent the day at City College of New York.  I was privileged once again to represent the interests of GiGi’s Playhouse-NYC, our local Down syndrome awareness, activity and educational center located in central Harlem.

This was our second year participating in the College Wide Career Fair and already I’m looking forward to 2015.  Though particular to the Down syndrome community, our outreach focus on awareness also benefits the needs of the entire world-wide disability community.  More specifically, GiGi’s was at City College on this day to interphase with the student body, to explore how we can mutually benefit from the sharing of knowledge and talents.  I know, too, that for some it would be much more, that beyond the credits of an impressive resume, some would awaken to a new pathway to serving.  Like we who advocate for those with Down syndrome, they would truly grasp the concept of “greater potential”.

When I backed out of the driveway early in the morning, the temperature read 12 degrees, I regretted missing out on my daily morning walk.  I needn’t have worried.  An hour later, toting a handcart, I walked ten blocks of Hamilton Heights, up and down, finally arriving on campus at Shepard Hall.  I stood there for a moment, not to regroup, but to take in the splendor of this magnificent structure.  Designed by George B. Post and completed in 1907, Shepard Hall is said to be the premier example of Gothic Revival architecture in the United States.  Prepare to be dazzled further.  Come and join me for the days activities on the second floor, enter the Great Hall, the jewel of City College.  I was struck once again by the enormity of the open space, the towering cathedral ceiling supported by buttressed colonnades, the perimeter stained glass windows and clerestories rising to nearly forty feet in height.  I felt, too, beyond the ambience of this glorious architecture, the achievement of scale, of balance and harmony.  Harmony is our mission at GiGi’s Playhouse, to work together and produce a world community of acceptance and inclusion, a society where those with Down syndrome are not separated but embraced for their diversity and contributions.  We all want to lead a purposeful life, it is fitting to be here on this day to promote it.

The fair began at 10:30 am and concluded at 4.  The Committee chairperson, who remembered me from last year, handed me a packet and escorted me to our table.  First I set up a stanchion for a 6 ft. tall poster of a child proclaiming, “I have a voice!”  I un-packaged and displayed the hand-out literature, then I unfurled the banner that drapes the table’s front apron.  Expecting to find an extended version of our logo, I was pleasantly surprised to find captivating photos of Laura and Noah! Nine-year-old Laura, wearing a purple dress, her brown eyes framed by auburn hair, smiled directly at the viewer.  Noah, four years old and sporting a bright yellow M&M t-shirt and bib overalls, flashed a mischievous smile, as if to say, “OK, I’m ready to go!”

And so was I.  Others began to arrive and I used this down time to network with the neighbors.  When I came back to the booth, Liza, our multi-talented teacher of drama, music and dance, and a cornerstone of GiGi’s Playhouse-NYC, was there to help get us through the noon hour crunch, before heading back downtown to her new job.  I took the opportunity to take an early lunch.  Upon my return, I found Liza engaging a student in animated conversation about GiGi’s Playhouse. “I’d like you to bring your resume to our next volunteer orientation, March 29 at 2pm,” she said, as the student eagerly signed the contact information form.  Liza’s enthusiasm reminded me of how she can lead a roomful of children – and adults – arms flailing and flopping, legs dancing and dangling to the theme of “Let’s get the sillies out!”  I sat quietly beside her with even greater admiration for her advocacy.  The next two hours passed quickly, and with volumes of inquiries.  We sometimes each addressed two or three students at once.  Liza reluctantly reminded me that she must leave.

City College represents a broad variety of disciplines, both undergraduate and graduate programs.  Being a designer/builder and a preservationist, I found I could engage  the students in conversations about the themes used in this Gothic Revival building. The caricature figures that adorn Shepard Hall, called grotesques, represented varying pursuits of knowledge:  The “Lantern Bearer” I referred to Psychology, which by the act of listening and understanding, provides a comfort zone for healing, lighting the path for future growth – this is GiGi’s Playhouse. The “Artist” represented the Archiver of civilization, depicter of the visual that transcends barriers to communication – the visual, an important tool of learning for those with Down syndrome.  The “Mechanic”  with a sledge hammer was like the Architectural student – builder of creative environments such as those at GiGi’s Playhouse.  I invited them all to consider an avocation of building futures for those with disabilities.

One student approached, simply asking, “What is this?”  I told her to stand back a few steps and meet the gaze of Laura and Noah.  “When I was growing up in the early 50’s,” I said, “it was recommended at birth that a child with Down syndrome be institutionalized.  Those days are fortunately gone.”  She filled out the contact form saying she wanted to come and help make a difference.

The day was altogether an uplifting experience, and to each visitor I imparted the message, “When you hear the term Down syndrome, think Greater Potential!”  GiGi’s Playhouse unabashedly proclaims that each person has greater potential, not just those with Down syndrome, but each of us.  By sharing our gifts and talents, by working together, we are reaching benchmarks never imagined in my youth.  Stereotypes are being further dispelled and the curve of progress for those with Down syndrome continues to move upward.  We are working today for a better tomorrow.

As I was packing up, the event director stopped by to say, “Mr. GiGi’s Playhouse, you had a marathon going on at this table all afternoon!”  Certainly I thanked her for the opportunity to be at the City College of New York – even the wonderful lunch.  I told her I was especially impressed with the preparedness and genuine attitude of the student body.  I also made mention to one response I had filled out on the Employer Evaluation Form: “Students spoke knowledgeably about the company”. My answer was “some”. I explained that this was not a negative, rather a compliment.  This was, after all, a career day fair – a concern for most students was employment or future placement.  Many students saw our sign with the engaging photos of Laura and Noah.  They wanted to know more.  GiGi’s is a volunteer-based organization, a non-profit.  We cannot offer monetary compensation, merely our environment, an opportunity, where one can explore his or her greater potential and help others discover theirs.  I gave the director a hug.  Love brings out the best in each of us.

We welcome all to join our GiGi’s family.  Come and explore your greater potential.
Our next volunteer orientation is scheduled at the Playhouse for Saturday, March 29th at 2 pm.

Welcome to GiGi’s Playhouse!

GiGi’s Playhouse-NYC
106 West 117th St.
New York NY
www.gigisplayhouse.org/newyork
646-801-7529

Richard Reilly
The Grandparent Connection/Outreach Volunteer
GiGi’s Playhouse-NYC