Down Syndrome Acceptance Month | GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse

Acceptance is more than awareness.

Today we are excited to share the words of our wonderful National Director of Marketing & Communications share his (and our) thoughts on Down Syndrome Acceptance Month.

October 1st began Down syndrome “Awareness” Month but awareness is not nearly enough. Awareness is simply acknowledging an existence, a challenge, etc. Human beings are so more than an existence or a challenge. Acceptance is an ACTION and a commitment to extend consistent value, approval, and empowerment. I’m very fortunate to work at GiGi’s Playhouse, Inc. Down Syndrome Achievement Centers and honored to know hundreds of children and adults with Down syndrome as well as their amazing families. They do not benefit from passive “awareness”. Kids do not realize opportunities to excel in school or forge lasting friendships because people are “aware”. Adults with Down syndrome are never offered meaningful jobs because employers are “aware”. Communities don’t unite to foster more accepting schools and online environments by exercising “awareness”. Hope, progress, achievement, friendships, wellness, academics, employment, and lasting change result from ACTION: the action of ACCEPTANCE. This October GiGi’s Playhouse locations across the country will be approaching local mayors and other leaders at state and (hopefully) federal levels to request that October be formally proclaimed as Down syndrome ACCEPTANCE Month: a more relevant, respectful, and actionable acknowledgment of more than 450,000 heroic children and adults across the United States who overcome more in an hour than many people face in an entire day, week, month, or year. And most certainly, actionable acceptance should never be limited to one month out of the year.” Marc Portugal, National Director of Marketing and Communications at GiGi’s Playhouse, Inc.

We encourage you all to use these hashtags in October in social media posts that have anything to do with acceptance, dignity, generosity and kindness: #downsyndromeawarenessmonth, #downsyndromeacceptancemonth, and #GenerationG: a movement to be better every day.

To be more accepting, generous and kind. We also ask that you please make the time to visit a GiGi’s Playhouse in your community. Spend 30 minutes visiting with participants and families. Introduce your children to our children. Continue supporting opportunities for kids with Down syndrome to be accepted in school activities including sports, arts, social events and of course academics. Consider the opportunity to hire a young adult with Down syndrome at your company or extend them a meaningful volunteer opportunity.

Want to learn more about Volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse? Click HERE

Want to help us continue offering our Purposeful Programing at no cost to our families? Please click HERE

If you have any questions or would like to come in for a tour and learn more about GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse please feel free to call us (315)288-PLAY. We love new friends!

Happy Down Syndrome ACCEPTANCE Month to all.

educate.inspire.believe.