For your viewing pleasure. Another beautiful sunset in Northern California

From last night.  Enjoy.......

Be gentle.

GiGi's Playhouse. Have you checked it out yet?

GiGi's Playhouse

our vision
is to see a world where individuals with Down syndrome are accepted and embraced in their families, schools, and communities 

our mission
is to increase positive awareness of Down syndrome through national campaigns, educational programs, and by empowering individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community. 

Playhouse Information What started as a local Playhouse in a suburb of Chicago has turned into an international phenomenon, spreading awareness and inspiration to everyone it touches. GiGi's Playhouses are Down syndrome awareness and educational centers that provide resources, specialized teaching, and support to individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community! GiGi's Playhouse centers evolved into educational centers with a focus on National awareness for Down syndrome. All of our programs are free to our families and are therapeutic in nature. Each of them are designed to work on specific skill development in several areas including speech and language, social development, and fine and gross motor skills. Our literacy program alone teaches thousands of kids with Down syndrome to read around the nation! The "i have a voice" campaign, a national awareness campaign, seeks to change outdated perceptions and replace those images with beautiful, thought provoking, intelligent images. This Traveling Gallery has been continues to circulate around the nation! In just 7 years, 7 Playhouses have opened! There are GiGi's Playhouses opening on the West coast, East coast and more in the Midwest! GiGi's is committed to the important mission of spreading positive and accurate information about Down syndrome through education. We know that by helping individuals with Down syndrome reach their highest potential, we can change outdated perceptions that people may have. The end result is a world that is empowered with knowledge, compassion, and inspiration - what a better place for all of us!

©2011 GiGi's Playhouse

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Web Site Design by JL Design | Professional photos are courtesy of Metamorphosis Studio

Be gentle.

Shouldn't all children be welcomed into the Catholic Church? Especially those with Special Needs?

I will preface this post with a quick note that I am not an expert on the Catholic Church.  I am just a wife (married in the Catholic Church) and a mom with a child with Down Syndrome.  I also consider myself a member of the Catholic Church.  So, read on if you dare about the controversy right now about a boy being denied his first communion just because he has an extra chromosome.  What are your thoughts?

From the Huffington Post

Denum Ellarby Refused Communion Because He Has Down Syndrome, Parents Say

Clare Ellarby says her child wasn't allowed to take his first Holy Communion because he has Down Syndrome.

In a letter from the Diocese of Leeds, Ellarby was told that her seven-year-old Denum Ellarby lacks the "concentration" necessary to prepare for Communion, according to the BBC. The Diocese also said children can "only proceed to the sacrament of First Communion when they take part in the Church's life and understand the Church's faith".

"It's just disgusting," Ellarby told the BBC. "I feel really let down by the Catholic faith."

A spokesperson for the diocese told the Catholic Herald "Denum's family has not participated in the regular life of the Church or in the preparation preceding First Communion. We hope that this will change as Denum grows and we are working with him and his family to help him achieve this."

The Christian Post reports that Clare and Denum's father Darren have started a petition in support of their son.

"They need to have more compassion," Clare Ellarby told the Post. "What they are doing is so cruel."

In Family's Church Complaint, Boy's Down's Syndrome Plays Role

By Medical Daily Reporter

The parents of a seven-year old boy with Down’s Syndrome are criticizing the Roman Catholic Church for not allowing him to take his first Holy Communion.

The Diocese of Leeds told the child’s mother, Clare Ellarby in a letter that her son Denum had “limited concentration” and was not prepared for the sacrament, according a Thursday report by the BBC.

The mother spoke out about the situation.

“It’s just disgusting. I feel really let down by the Catholic faith,” she said.

Denum is a student at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School and attends St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Batley.

Denum has “limited concentration, doesn’t really access the RE curriculum and does not enjoy going to Mass,” the Diocese wrote in the letter.

The church recommended that Denum take his first Holy Communion when he was “better placed to understand” it. That would “enrich his whole experience,” according to the letter.

The diocese said children could only take part in the sacrament when “they take part in the Church’s life and understand the Church’s faith.”

The diocese said Denum had not done that.

“We hope that this will change as Denum grows and we are working with him and his family to help him achieve this,” the diocese wrote.

The Dewsbury Reporter said Xanthe Breen of the Down's Syndrome Association has been speaking with the family abou their concerns. "It's not something we have ever heard before. It's a shame all parties can't come to a compromise."

Be gentle.

Artists......... Oh and they have special needs.

One of my son's favorite things to do is draw.  He draws, colors and makes beautiful art every day.  I love watching him create.

Here is an article on other special artists.  Enjoy.

Melmark Artists Celebrate Gallery Show

Artists with autism and Down Syndrome who study at Melmark in Berwyn celebrate their work with an exhibition in a Main Line gallery.

• By Bob Byrne January 20, 2011

When you look closely at the paintings displayed at Case Gallery in Ardmore, you can see the intricate work that creates the textures, colors shapes and images.

Many of the paintings done in watercolors, acrylics, tempuras are abstract works. Some are painted with intricate brushwork. Others are painted with unexpected and fascintating tools like bubble wrap and leaves.  All are unique and works of heart from the heart and imagination of artists who study atMelmark in Berwyn. 

The artists joined proud teachers, administrators, families, friends and gallery staff for a reception this week celebrating their work.

The works are for sale starting at $300. The donation covers the cost of the framing work, benefits the artists, and helps support the non-profit work at Melmark. The gallery is donating the space and takes no commission on the Melmark paintings.

The three week exhibition closes this weekend but if you would like to purchase a painting contact Melmark through the website Melmark.org or by calling 1-888-MELMARK.

Be gentle.

My baby

My baby.  William.  Just growing up to be such a wonderful young man.

Be gentle.