Down Syndrome at its Finest | The GiGi’s Family

Let me tell you about my friends at GiGi’s Playhouse.  They are a nonprofit organization that offers free programming to people with Down syndrome and their families.  Their programs are therapeutic and educational in nature and geared towards the success of individuals with Down syndrome and acceptance for all.

They sound great right? Well now let me tell you a little story about GiGi’s Playhouse in Syracuse, NY that is also pretty great.

When Judah was born, I learned he had Down syndrome the second I looked in his eyes.  I was terrified.  When he was 18 days old he contracted a virus called RSV. I don’t know how it’s possible, but I was even more terrified. We spent Christmas in the hospital. We were there for two weeks and we were quarantined until the flu season ended. Our very first public outing as a family was on World Down syndrome Day ( March 21st for 3 copies of the 21st chromosome.) We went to the mall where GiGi’s Playhouse was celebrating the day.  I had NO IDEA what to expect. I never knew GiGi’s before I had Judah.  I had never met anyone there.  I was skeptical. I did not want to be a part of any kind of group. I just wanted us to be NORMAL (whatever that means)  But I went anyway, armed with all the friends and family I could muster. I kind of thought there would be people hugging me saying they were sorry and fear-filled tears would keep falling down my face as they had in the months before.

It was NOTHING like that. There were yellow and blue (Down syndrome colors) balloons everywhere. Everyone was smiling and the only reason I cried was that people kept asking to hold my baby and love on him. It was the warmest welcome I have ever felt in my life and in that moment I knew everything was going to be okay.  It was the very first time I felt that we were REALLY going to be okay.   The seams were just bursting with kindness. Nobody asked me clinical questions like I thought they might. Nobody made me worry or wonder what my life might miss because I had a child with Down syndrome. Do you know what everybody did? They told me inspiring stories about people they knew with Down syndrome. They told me how awesome my life was going to be. They told me how my whole life was about to change for the better and that I was in for the best ride of my lifetime. They told me all the things that I didn’t know yet. It was so incredibly special to me that I knew it would be my honor to pay that forward for the rest of my life.

Now.  Let’s fast forward a bit. 5 years later, in fact. GiGi’s has become a family. We share tips and tricks and fight over who is going to hold the new baby in town. We share pancake breakfasts, picnics and the most darling Christmas party with Santa. And right now, right during this worldwide crisis, we should be putting on our fanciest duds and getting ready to attend their most gloriously unpretentious Gala. It is money raising weaved into a night of gratitude, happy tears, and good old fashioned fun. It’s my favorite celebration. One year I was a speaker, and I told our story in a room filled with people. That same night we bid on a wagon full of wine, and won!!!!! I’ve been there pregnant with my youngest. I’ve gladly collected prizes to be used for their silent auction, and not once, but twice, Judah’s portrait hung proudly in the entranceway. My goodness the way that night fills me.

This year is different. Hundreds of people in the same room is way too dangerous; especially when our loves with an extra chromosome are so susceptible. So this year there will be no fancy duds, no stories of triumph, no happy tears and no bubbling over with glee as you give your money to such a worthy cause.

This is GiGi’s Playhouse biggest fundraiser and like many places, they will suffer immensely from the loss of what The Gala would bring in. These friends are my family. They are the ones that sliced through my sadness in the beginning and show me the beauty of this life still.

So please, If you have it in your pocket and long for feel goods that come from serving others, then please consider donating to the cause that moves me, the cause that needs us. Consider giving to the people who make it possible for the ones we love to be not only accepted, but celebrated.

Thank you

Beth Craver

Friends please joining us on Saturday, April 25th on your favorite social media channel to participate in a day of inspiration and impact! Join us virtually on our silent auction! You can register for FREE now and snag yourself some sweet goods thanks to the generosity of the Syracuse community!