Grateful and Blessed

Congratulations Team GiGi’s!

WE are ALL a TEAM and a Family, and I am so grateful for that! As I ponder what I should share, I reflect on the past ten years of having our son, Jack, in our lives. First, I want to share that I am so grateful for JACK.  I always want him and others to know that!

When my husband, Terry, and I learned about a potential diagnosis of Jack having Down syndrome shortly after he was born, we received apologies and “I’m Sorry” from medical staff.

We knew that God had a plan, and we had an amazing little boy that we had waited for, for many years.  When I was pregnant with Jack, I recall praying and telling God that he could “use me and use this child”.  I did not honestly know that this would be the plan, however I did tell the ultrasound technician (when they asked if we would want to do further testing) …. “If God wants me to have a child with Down syndrome, I’ll have a child with Down syndrome.” I believe that God knew exactly what he was doing when he gave us Jack.

Terry and I didn’t like the medical professionals’ negative way of handling our news, so we chose not to share our potential diagnosis because it wasn’t a “for sure” thing.  Even after we had the confirmed diagnosis, we didn’t share it for several months.  We really wanted OUR JACK to be JACK.  We wanted people to celebrate our child, and they did!  In our eyes, there was “nothing down about it” 😊

At the time, I didn’t know anyone in our community that had a child with Down syndrome. We knew of some grown-up individuals who were 20, 30 or 40 years old at that time…but didn’t know them well. While we had a new baby to love and care for, we didn’t know what it would mean for our family.  I often felt very alone and very worried.  I wished that I would have had someone to connect with and share my concerns, fears, and joys with that would understand me and how I was feeling.

I remember driving to a “Buddy Walk” in the Quad Cities with Jack when he was 1.5 years old, by myself, not telling anyone (except perhaps Terry). I never made it to the walk that day, running late and rain were factors… Michelle Hornbuckle Hughes had invited me.  She worked at the Children’s Therapy Center at the time and was the mother to 3 boys.  One of these boys, Nate, happened to have Down syndrome also, sadly he had passed away too early in life.  Michelle loved on Jack every time she saw him.  At that time, she would eagerly talk about a place she was excited to start in the Quad Cities, called GiGi’s Playhouse.

The next year, GiGi’s Playhouse had been opened and we participated in the walk.  I observed other infants, toddlers, school-age children and adults with Down syndrome, and I heard a young lady named Kate (who had DS) sing the National Anthem, I got tears in my eyes.  I was overtaken with emotion and awe.  GiGi’s Playhouse, “The Walk”, and the fundraising that happens each year in October (as well as the Gala in the spring) are so special to me and my family because it connects all people.  Family members, friends, and others come out to support individuals with Down syndrome, and their families.

The support over the years that our family has received for Jack and Team JackaRoo has been overwhelming and we are humbled by it.

Being a top team is really about the love and support we receive from OTHERS.  At first (in 2013) when we began fundraising, we heard “what is GiGi’s Playhouse?”…. and we still hear that sometimes.  However, this past year, we received donations for Jack’s team from 9 different states. People know Jack, they love him, and they support him.  I have been asked several times to talk with new moms or families who have a child born with Down syndrome.  Being there for others means so much to me.

I love GiGi’s programs that help our younger kiddos learn, and Jack has especially enjoyed Literacy Tutoring in the summertime.  Other families are grateful for the adult programs too; my friend Danika takes her brother, Levi, to these and it is a place where he is comfortable and has friends he enjoys being with.  The Superhero walk, the summer picnics, and holiday parties are all organized events that bring families together so we can create relationships that we can support and learn from one another.  The calendar of programs and activities is awesome and amazing, and I wish we lived closer so we could participate more.  THANKS to the amazing STAFF, and Pam (our Site Director), and all the volunteers that make this all possible!  While we are living our busy lives and taking care of our amazing kids, you make this possible for our families.

THANK you to all that give each year to our team and to other teams too. You make this ALL POSSIBLE!  We couldn’t do it without your support.  GiGi’s is free to families and is run on your donations.

What I have learned in these 10 years is that I have the best kid ever!  If I lined up 10 kids in a row, I would choose Jack, my kiddo, just the way he is!  We have learned so much about living, about life, and about love.  We are grateful and we are blessed.

Love to all,

JackaRoo’s mom, Jodi

Go Team JackaRoo!

Check out this video submitted by Jodi & Jack that sums up all the information above!

Jodi & Jack Video