From T.E.A.M. Participant to Fashion Model, Meet Tyler Sims

(Tyler in our Fashion Show working the crowd)

Tyler Sims is 24 yrs old and has been participating in GiGi’s activities at the Sugar Land location since they opened. It may not come as a surprise to you parents having kids with Down Syndrome, that Tyler has struggled with transitions all his life. While at times we make progress in this area, since Tyler turned 22 and exited the structure of the school system, it has again taken the #1 spot on behavior issues we are currently working on. Even transitioning from one fun activity to another currently presents problems. But…much to this mom’s surprise and amazement, transition is not presenting a problem for Tyler when it comes to GiGi’s activities! Tyler and I usually run late. While it’s easy for me to believe Tyler causes this, I am equally responsible trying to do 20 last minute things before exiting the house. Somebody has to be last to arrive at functions, I rationalize…But to my surprise and total amazement, when we go to GiGi’s events, I have recently been finding Tyler out in the car waiting for me to get ready and come. He is not only ready on time for GiGi’s, he is ready early with no transition difficulties in sight! Tyler loves participating in GiGi’s adult activities. It’s not only fun, it’s a feeling. It’s a feeling of warmth, acceptance, caring, and love! From the bottom of this mom’s heart, thank you GiGi’s for giving Tyler, for giving us, this place where we can not only have fun, but are a part of the warmth, the acceptance, the caring, and the love we feel as being a part of GiGi’s playhouse Sugar Land.