World Down Syndrome Day doesn't celebrate our differences. World Down Syndrome Day celebrates why we're all special.

On March 21, at 2501 Oregon Pike, GiGi's Playhouse Lancaster added its own special twists to World Down Syndrome Day.

"Down syndrome is not a condition," said Kevin Hewitt, president of GiGi's Playhouse Lancaster's seven-person advisory board. "People with Down syndrome aren't suffering. They're just different. They might have challenges that other people don't have. Sometimes they're challenged physically. They might be challenged in their cognitive abilities."

"In the past, people with Down syndrome tended to get pushed aside," continued Hewitt. "General acceptance is what World Down Syndrome Day is all about. (People with Down syndrome) are often misunderstood, and sometimes they're bullied. Our mission is to change the way the world views Down syndrome."

That Friday in late March at the Lancaster location of GiGi's Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center, World Down Syndrome Day was celebrated from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and was marked by discovery, fellowship and inclusion. As part of the festivities, a group of GiGi's Playhouse clients visited Lancaster County Christian School and a group of Lancaster-Lebanon IU13 students and Pennsylvania state Rep. Nikki Rivera visited GiGi's Playhouse and toured the Manheim Township facilities.

"It was just a festive day, a day of awareness and celebration," said Hewitt. "The playhouse was decorated with balloons and glitter. Music was playing. Different families were coming in. Grandparents were joining with families. It was loud, fun and exciting."

In all, about 150 people visited GiGi's Playhouse Lancaster on World Down Syndrome Day. The only Down syndrome achievement center in Pennsylvania, GiGi's Playhouse Lancaster currently serves about 530 families from Lancaster County and beyond.

Operated through the work of one paid staff member and more than 100 volunteers, GiGi's Playhouse Lancaster offers services like career development, tutoring and therapeutic and educational programs free of charge to participants.

"We have new families coming in all the time, and they're not sure how they're going to fit in," said Hewitt. "It's encouraging for parents and grandparents to know there's a place like GiGi's Playhouse. Some parents just sit and talk about what they're going through."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of 700 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome. About 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome in the United States each year.

Down syndrome is named for British physician John Langdon Down, who first described the condition in 1866.

"The general public really doesn't understand people with Down syndrome," said Hewitt. "What they're seeing is someone who looks somewhat different. Our people with Down syndrome are out in the community. They work at all kinds of places. We don't facilitate them getting jobs, but we prepare them. They're becoming members of the community. I think there's some misunderstanding about the capabilities of people with Down syndrome."

One of 62 GiGi's Playhouses across the country, the Lancaster location opened in 2020, serving 100 families affected by Down syndrome. Now, GiGi's Playhouse Lancaster offers 18 programs to families.

GiGi's Playhouse Lancaster, which moved into its current more spacious building in April of 2024, is financed through four major fundraisers throughout the year and some individual donations. The organization is currently exploring the grant application process.

"That growth trend is continuing," said Hewitt. "Lots of generous people and generous businesses believe in what we do. Every week another new family comes into the playhouse. They see all the programs, and we tell them, 'We're here for you.' We're always accepting donations, and we always want people to volunteer. We love to give tours of our playhouse. We also love to give presentations to businesses about what we do."

For additional information, go to http://www.gigisplayhouse.org/lancaster.