As part of our efforts to create a HAPPY & HEALTHY community through Peaceful Living Wellness we are bringing you interviews with the people associated with community-based non-profits. These are people who devote their time, energy and hearts to bringing wellness to those in need in their communities.
We call this our Local Heroes Series.
In spite of being the most common chromosomal abnormality, resources for people living with Down Syndrome are scarce. This is due to Down Syndrome being the least funded of the chromosomal diagnoses in the U.S.
GiGi’s Playhouse Achievement Centers are on a mission to change that!
Are you ready to take the “I ACCEPT YOU” pledge?
Take the GiGi’s Playhouse PLEDGE and make a commitment to being accepting, generous and kind every day and in every way!
A MAGICAL PLACE
With a warm smile on her face, Marie Myers, one of the founders of the movement to bring GiGi’s Playhouse to South Carolina shares, “the Playhouse really is a magical place… you feel it as soon as you enter.” With a mission to “change the way the world views Down Syndrome and to send a global message of acceptance for all,” the magic Marie talks about is truly the essence of the GiGi’s Playhouse movement. With over 55 Achievement Centers across the United States and Mexico the Playhouses, their volunteers and their family participants are spreading that magic far-and-wide.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit the Gigi’s Playhouse organization is fully funded by donations. Thus, it is incredible that they are able to offer FREE resources for people living with Down Syndrome, including therapeutic, educational and career training programs in Playhouse buildings beautifully decorated to inspire joy and peace!
Not to mention, in addition to the actual Playhouses, through their online programs the GiGi’s Playhouse organization has expanded their vision, “to see a world where individuals with Down Syndrome are accepted and embraced in their families, schools and communities,” to 80 countries and counting!
THE LOCAL HEROES CONNECTION
The corporate offices of Peaceful Living Wellness are located in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina. It is through this local connection that we became aware of a small, but mighty, group of Charleston moms who are working tirelessly to bring a GiGi’s Playhouse to Charleston – AND it will be the first Playhouse in the entire state!
As the mom of a darling little girl with Down Syndrome, Marie Myers was disheartened by the lack of community support and resources for people living with Down Syndrome and their families. When she found out about the GiGi’s Playhouse organization and their devotion not only to enriching the lives of people with Down Syndrome, but other differing abilities as well, she knew she needed to get involved.
What started as a Facebook group of moms chatting about their challenges and triumphs with their Down Syndrome children has grown to a full-fledged local non-profit raising money to bring the GiGi’s Playhouse message of acceptance and kindness to Charleston and the surrounding communities.
As an official Playhouse, the Charleston Achievement Center will offer all of the resources for people living with Down Syndrome available through the organization. They are also excited to be a part of the GiGi’s Playhouse Ripple Effect through their planned community outreach including disability diversity training, as well as equity and inclusion initiatives for businesses and schools.
As an extra bonus, GiGi’s Playhouse, Charleston, like all of the Playhouses, welcomes people with all levels of abilities and offers services to all differently abled people.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DOWN SYNDROME AND GIGI’S PLAYHOUSE, CHARLESTON
DOWN SYNDROME FAQS
- Down Syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality.
- There are 3 types of Down Syndrome: Trisomy 21, Mosaic and Translocation.
- Challenges include low muscle tone, intellectual disability, career limitations and discrimination.
- Contrary to a popular misconception, people with Down Syndrome are not always happy. They experience a wide-range of emotions like everyone else.
- With early therapeutic intervention and community support people living with Down Syndrome can lead fulfilling lives. They can read and write, be athletes, have friends and romantic relationships and careers!
- While Down Syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality, it is also the least funded not only in North America, but worldwide.
- Funding for organizations like GiGi’s Playhouse, that provide essential, life-changing resources for people living with Down Syndrome, is desperately needed.
- DONATE HERE to support the GiGi’s Playhouse national organization.
- Donate to the GiGi’s Playhouse, Charleston fundraising initiative HERE
THE GiGi’s PLAYHOUSE RIPPLE EFFECT
Marie enthusiastically explains that the Ripple Effect, “is when family members, volunteers, donors, teachers and the greater community are positively impacted by their association with GiGi’s Playhouse!” Because of the magical essence of the Playhouse and their mission people who associate with them learn to look beyond the diagnosis of Down Syndrome and are able to truly see the individuals. The Ripple Effect allows people to see that people with Down Syndrome are full of potential and have tremendous value in society.
They use the term Ripple because they liken the joy spread by the people affected by GiGi’s Playhouse to a droplet of water as it hits a body of water.
The first ripple is the physical playhouse.
The second ripple is are the purpose-driven resources for people living with Down Syndrome provided by the Playhouse.
As the ripples grow and spread the idea of empowerment and global acceptance for all reaches throughout the world!
WAYS YOU CAN HELP
- Like and follow Gigi’s Playhouse on Facebook.
- Like and follow GiGi’s Playhouse Charleston, or your local Playhouse, on Facebook.
- Spread the word about both the international organization and your local Playhouse.
- Donate to the Charleston “Believe in our Build” fundraising campaign.
- Donate to the international organization to help spread the message of acceptance!
JEN ROBINSON
Jen Robinson is the creative force behind the wellness brand Peaceful Living Wellness which is dedicated to providing a wide-variety of high-quality wellness information. Jen is also the creator of the Peaceful Living Wellness life coaching division, and offers workshops, individual and group coaching as well as retreats where she guides women in using Mindfulness and Mindset to build their inner strength on a foundation of inner peace. Jen also is the co-creator of the business coaching brand CEO Mindset that guides entrepreneurs in building their businesses without burning out.
The latest addition to her repertoire is that she recently signed-on as the Wellness Director for the business development company Wealthy Women Entrepreneurs . She is very excited to be leading this group of dynamic women entrepreneurs into success in their businesses and lives!
The most important part of Jen’s life are her two very active teenagers, AJ & Layna!
Jen’s Mindfulness and Mindset techniques inform her business, her parenting and her life!
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