At 2 am, after three hours of sleep, we arrived in Des Moines at Gigi's Playhouse, a Down's Syndrome Awareness and Education facility that does fabulous work with these special people. Each person develops skills to the best of their abilities, and they have a great time in the process. The playhouse is so inviting that we wanted to play in it! Many of today's play activities were unicorn themed, and we were delighted to see quite a few of our uniquestrians wearing horns they had decorated just for the occasion.
We unloaded Vlad and set him up outside the front door, then were tickled pink by the ear to ear grins on big and little faces as the kids arrived. Some of the kids were bouncing in their seats and the excitement was contagious. Each ride we gave was tailored to the needs of the rider. Some kids barreled up the stairs, while others needed to be lifted up or gentle and patient encouragement as they realized just how tall Vlad is. Some of my (Katlinel, the Rockinghorsegal) favourite memories of the trip will be of the more timid riders and the glow of self confidence they exude after overcoming their fear and making it all the way up onto that TALL unicorn. We never tire of the grins, giggles and squeals from our precious riders.
Anyone who wanted a ride was welcome, and we gave rides to siblings, parents, the staff of the playhouse, and even to one of the Chicago staff who just happened to arrive for a training session after the summer celebration. Every stop we make leaves us wanting to come back and do this again. These kids are even more magical than Vlad!
We unloaded Vlad and set him up outside the front door, then were tickled pink by the ear to ear grins on big and little faces as the kids arrived. Some of the kids were bouncing in their seats and the excitement was contagious. Each ride we gave was tailored to the needs of the rider. Some kids barreled up the stairs, while others needed to be lifted up or gentle and patient encouragement as they realized just how tall Vlad is. Some of my (Katlinel, the Rockinghorsegal) favourite memories of the trip will be of the more timid riders and the glow of self confidence they exude after overcoming their fear and making it all the way up onto that TALL unicorn. We never tire of the grins, giggles and squeals from our precious riders.
Anyone who wanted a ride was welcome, and we gave rides to siblings, parents, the staff of the playhouse, and even to one of the Chicago staff who just happened to arrive for a training session after the summer celebration. Every stop we make leaves us wanting to come back and do this again. These kids are even more magical than Vlad!
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You can see even more videos from Des Moines on our Rocking for Charity YouTube Channel.
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