This video story was reported and produced by Payton Kirol of Florida Focus.
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, during which people embrace the power of spreading consciousness of the genetic condition through media, as well as love, acceptance and inclusivity. This celebration is represented by the colors blue and yellow.
In Tampa, one of the leading advocacy and assistance facilities for those with Down syndrome children is GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center.
Nancy Gianni is the founder of GiGi’s Playhouse, an Illinois-based program with a location in Tampa, created with the purpose of offering an inclusive community for people with Down syndrome, celebrating people with disabilities strength and accomplishments. This center provides professional support not just to people with Down syndrome but to all the parents who need guidance through this journey.
Anita Dillon is mother of three girls. With her first boy on the way and at 12 weeks of pregnancy, she received a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.
“I got a call from the doctor. She said, I’ve got some news, and you know this is probably going to change your life,” Dillon said. “There was a lot of pressure to terminate. That’s not an option for me.”
Sheila Campbell received similar news at 18 weeks of pregnancy. Her daughter, Meadow, is now three months old. Campbell likewise did not consider giving up the pregnancy.
“It’s not just a piece of paper that you wad up and throw away,” Campbell said. “It’s a life. That’s what Gigi’s is here for. To make sure that your child has all the best opportunities to thrive in life.”
Dillon and Campbell leaned on family, friends and GiGi’s Playhouse’s support.
Nicki Rawlings, a parent volunteer at the center, says there is a lot to celebrate about the children she works with.
“A lot of times there’s a lot of negative connotations to the diagnosis, and here we celebrate the diagnosis,” Rawlings said. “We celebrate the uniqueness of these kids.”
GiGi’s Playhouse families nationwide say they are very excited because they have completely changed their mindset about Down syndrome, and now they can’t wait to meet and support their beloved ones and prove the world that they are capable of accomplishing great things in life because of their powerful abilities.
For Dillon, having support has made her look forward to the birth of her boy.
“Since I contacted Gigi’s Playhouse, I started to get the empowerment that OK, this is going to be OK, everything is going to be OK. I can’t wait to hold my son,” Dillon said. “I can’t wait to see his face. I can’t wait to change people’s thoughts and expectations of children with this diagnosis.”
If you are interested to get more information, you can visit GiGi’s Playhouse official website or go to any of its worldwide location centers.
