From one of our Board Members…

Why do I run?

Well, I don’t. And, I’m sorry to say that I don’t even walk on a regular basis. However, I am making an exception and participating in the San Diego Donut Run. I’m putting my time and energy into GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego because I believe in it and all the organization stands for.

Our Journey

I was surprised and blessed with a pregnancy at 44. I never thought I would experience the joy of a pregnancy. Once we recovered from the initial shock of the pregnancy and diagnosis, I was so excited that a beautiful life was growing inside me. Not everyone understood my joy. It would have been wonderful to be able to go to GiGi’s Playhouse with its bright and vibrant atmosphere and speak with parents who’d been there. People who would share in our joy and help us begin our journey.

Best of All

Like all parents, I want the best for my child.  I want her to learn and grow and develop friendships; for her to strive for and reach her dreams. GiGi’s Playhouse has programs designed to help Katherine become her very best. It is a place of complete acceptance. It’s a place where I can speak with other parents to share support and resources that will benefit all of our children.

Paying it Forward

One last reason I am involved is that I want to pay it forward. My daughter benefits from the work parents before me have done to foster acceptance and inclusion. Without all of the hard work and accomplishments of the parents before me, I’m not sure Katherine would be included in the general education classroom doing the same work as the other students are doing. I’m not sure there would be as many people who believed in her. I want to make the world an even better place for children born with Down syndrome. I want acceptance and inclusion to become the norm.   This is an important part of why GiGi’s Playhouse exists and why I run.