Gigi’s Playhouse Changing Lives for Individuals with Down Syndrome

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COVER STORY | By Patti Parish-Kaminski –

Be accepting.
Be generous.
Be kind.

I first saw this trio of affirmations when I received an e-mail from Dawn Schordock, operations director of Gigi’s Playhouse.  I glanced over these words noting what a powerful statement together they created.

If only everyone had these words in their e-mail signatures, I thought, that would be so positive, so uplifting.  While I did notice the words, I truly had no idea just how important and meaningful they were until I was blessed to walk in a fashion show benefitting Gigi’s Playhouse.  The children, families and volunteers I met embodied these words in an extraordinary way – so extraordinary in fact, that I felt the story of Gigi’s Playhouse and Gigi moms were perfect to share for Mother’s Day.

Building the Playhouse

Gigi’s Playhouse is a Down Syndrome Achievement Center whose mission is to change the way the world sees Down syndrome through national campaigns, educational programs and by empowering individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community.  It is the only international network of Down Syndrome Achievement Centers created to provide free life-changing programs for all ages.

Founded in 2003 by CNN Hero Nancy Gianni after the birth of her daughter, Gigi, Gianni created the non-profit organization out of frustration from negative reactions from her medical team and a lack of positive, practical resources for children and parents.  She began with one pilot Playhouse in Illinois, and by the end of this year, there is expected to be 47 Gigi’s Playhouses across the United States and Mexico.

A vital resource for the community, Gigi’s Playhouse arrived in Sugar Land in December 2015 to families eager to be a part of the Gigi’s family.  Gigi mom Carly Durham became involved with Gigi’s through a mutual friend, whose daughter has Down syndrome.  “We are so grateful to know one of the co-founders of Gigi’s in Sugar Land, Ammie Blahuta,” shared Durham.  So, when she and her husband’s world “got wonderfully turned upside down with the adoptions of the two cutest kids, who also happen to have Down syndrome,” they had a resource.

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The Durham Family

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Jon and Carly Durham adopted Carter from the Ukraine and Niyah from foster care.  The children, now five and four, were recently joined by a sibling, Audie Joy, born at Christmas last year.  “Eight years of infertility placed on my heart what an honor it is to be called Mama by three extraordinary kids,” shared Carly.  “The beautiful, messy, overwhelming love and affection of motherhood is a powerful force.”

Gigi’s has been a part of the Durham family since adopting Carter and Niyah.  “The doctor we saw overseas for our medical release to travel blatantly told us we were wasting our life by adopting a child with Down syndrome,” said Carly.  “The reality of that statement is dark and sits heavy on the soul.  But at Gigi’s, you find light.  You find a place where a community will come alongside a family and celebrate their child, provide free resources and help support their growth and potential.”

Both Carter and Niyah love going to Gigi’s.  Carter will ask to go by signing for “Gigi’s House,” and Niyah’s loves the Music Program at Gigi’s.  “Niyah always has a song in her heart,” shared Carly.  “Using music helps her engage, and it helps unlock so much of what she knows.”

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Nicole LaSala

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Gigi mom Annette LaSala welcomed her middle child of five children, Nicole, and was advised to get early intervention as soon as possible to provide her with a good foundation.  Diagnosed with Down syndrome within a day of her birth, Nicole’s mom got busy getting her into programs.  “By 18 months, Nicole was walking and progressing well,” shared Annette.  “So well she was named the Easter Seal Child Representative for a year when she turned three.”

Five-years-old when the family moved to Sugar Land, Nicole spent her elementary years at Walker Station and went on to middle and high school in Fort Bend.  During a Special Olympics practice, Annette learned about Gigi’s, and Nicole’s journey there began with a monthly Friday night program for adults, the only adult activity available at the time.  “Now, there is the weekly TEAM (teach, eat, activity, movement) that runs for ten weeks, Attitude for Gratitude and Art Explosion weekly, Fantastic Friends monthly and opportunities for volunteering, such as manning a table at the University of Houston to promote World Down Syndrome Day, dancing a number at a bowling alley fundraiser and participating in the fashion shows,” shared Annette.

Annette’s favorite Gigi’s memory was during a holiday celebration at a pub.  Gigi’s adult participants were seated together when a parent sang God Bless the USA during the karaoke session. “Nicole remembered learning how to sign the song during choir in elementary school,” shared Annette.  “My very reserved adult jumped up and went to the stage near the parent to sign the song.  I cried, and I don’t think I was the only there who did so.”

Nicole’s favorite activity at Gigi’s is Attitude for Gratitude, where she sends thank you letters to donors and decorates bags for Lunches of Love.  “As a parent, it is so heartwarming to see Nicole blossom into a mature adult,” said Annette.  “Where once we received one-word answers, now she sits and holds discussions with us.  She has a come a long way from the girl who grudgingly went to Gigi’s to the girl who looks forward to everything that is available to do there.”

As one of five siblings, the LaSala family followed sage advice when it came to Nicole:  treat her the same as the rest of her siblings.  “That little piece of advice has made Nicole an equal part of our family and showed our other children that Nicole was not different from them,” said Annette.  “That is what we want our community to know also, and Gigi’s is doing just that.”

For more information about Gigi’s, visit gigisplayhouse.org/sugarland.