World Down Syndrome Day

WHAT IF?   A REFLECTION ON WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY

If you were not able to make it to our World Down Syndrome Day celebration on March 21, you really missed out!  About 95 of our friends showed up to party with us, and we had an amazing time.  We had an awesome taco bar, a DIY balloon pit in the gym, a crazy sock coloring contest (congrats to our winner, Sam Fasula!), temporary WDSD tattoos for everyone, a cookie decorating station, and (of course) dancing.  You can’t forget the dancing at a GiGi’s Playhouse party!

Looking back on the amazing time we had with our friends and Playhouse families, it leaves us wondering… WHAT IF?

WHAT IF every day was more like WDSD, a day when people make an extra effort to set aside their biases and pre-conceptions?  What if we saw people as the individuals they are, rather than seeing their diagnosis or their perceived disability?

WHAT IF we were genuinely happy for someone else who won a contest? What if we didn’t see someone else’s “win” as a “loss” for ourselves, but simply took joy in the other person’s happiness?

WHAT IF we greeted new and old acquaintances alike with enthusiasm and a sincere desire to interact and learn more about the other person?  What if we opened our hearts more to building friendships instead of locking ourselves away behind text messages and computer screens?

WHAT IF we danced like no was watching, enjoying the music and how it made us feel without getting caught up in the need to do it “just so” or the “right way.”  What if no one felt the need to judge our dancing, but just joined in and had fun along with us?

HMMMMMMM… WHAT IF?  It doesn’t take much contemplation to realize that the world would be a better place if every day could be just a little bit more like World Down Syndrome Day.  At GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford, we dream big about what could happen “if only,” and we are proud to be part of the solution to move things in a more positive direction. Thanks to everyone who came out in force to help us shout a message of acceptance and inclusion from the rooftops on our special day!  And … an even bigger note of thanks goes out to everyone who understands the need to live out that message 365 days a year!