5/4/2023 0 Comments Lemonade made of miracles![]() We don’t know how the napkin will unfold. We all have challenging circumstances to deal with. She thanked us as she clasped the folded napkin with two hands.Louis and I were off to the bottled juice aisle.Įvery day, we have the opportunity to make a difference. I talked about the mission of GiGi’s Playhouse, and its link to words like individual, celebration, achievement, possibility – and free! ![]() I took one of the small white napkins and began a new list: GiGi’s Playhouse, Nancy Gianni, #GenerationG, my name, and other information. I told her also that I was very much aware of what this family is living with. I commented that it’s not all about disability, that any parent of a teenager might be at the end of their rope. She wondered if I might have some advice. “We have a family member with Down syndrome, 13 years old, and she didn’t have an effective early intervention.” Her parents were now at wit’s end. I’m Louis.” He stared at her name tag and said, “Thank you, Deb-or-ah.” She poured him another glass. As she poured a small sample, she asked how old he was. “It’s not quite cold yet, but would you like some?” Naturally, his answer was Yes. Louis looked at her with a big irresistible smile and declared, “I love lemonade!” “Wait a minute,” she said as she headed to the nearby frozen food section, and returned with a large bottle of organic lemonade. I asked the clerk what was being featured. We passed a table being set up as a sample tasting station. We had a unique encounter on this latest shopping excursion. I watched people watch Louis and how we interact. I observed that other children were following their parents who were pushing their carts. Today, the aisles were crowded, but he managed to say excuse me, turned the cart around the corner, and caught up with me. Sometimes I go ahead to the next aisle he’s independent. He follows the rules and is very courteous. Louis is proficient now at pushing the cart. He told me about the fish he and his Dad caught from their boat. We talked about Crabby Jerry’s, the fresh-air restaurant his family goes to in Greenport, on the water. He read the list and said, “Grey sole please.” O ur dinner menu was already planned: grilled sole, creamed potatoes, spinach and carrots, with chocolate pudding for dessert. Lobsters crawling in the tank, shrimp, crab, fish displayed on ice. Louis finds the seafood counter especially fascinating. Next, he got serious about choosing the bananas. You don’t have to have Down syndrome to have difficulty opening those bags! He dropped in the first navel orange and gently placed the next four. On this particular trip we practiced pulling off the long plastic bags, reading which end to open, separating the folds, and finally flapping them to open up. I went ahead into the store to get a circular while Louis pulled out a cart. He took my hand and walked me across the lane. We got out of the car, and Louis checked that it was all clear. Our local Shop Rite is a busy place, especially on a Saturday morning. “Poppy, sometimes we have to break the rules of the stop sign.” We were off. Then Louis came out with what I call a “Louism” (a capsule of conceptual wisdom). “Oh my gosh, Louis, the sign says ‘STOP’, but there’s no sign that says ‘GO!’” We sat motionless. I backed out of the driveway onto Buttonball Trail and came to a complete stop at our corner. Next, on with the coats and hats, and into the car. Then Louis read the paper list as I washed each item off the board one by one. He read off each entry- some were written by Poppy (me) and some by Grandma. Louis read from the small chalkboard where we mark down items as needed. Recently the two of us sat at the kitchen table and made a list. When nine-year-old Louis (“Louie”) comes to visit for Spring Vacation, a trip to the grocery store isn’t just a chore, it’s an adventure. Fortunately, we’re into portion control and nutrition, about which he learns a great deal in school. My grandson and I have something in common: We both love food! We love working in the kitchen together, preparing and cooking our favorite dishes, and baking, too. Virtual Playhouse – Check out our virtual programming.GiGis Playhouse Locations – Find a location near you.Amina Grace Speech and Language Program – Learn more and enroll.One-on-One Math Tutoring – Learn more and enroll.One-on-One Literacy Tutoring – Learn more and enroll.Career Development Program – Signature Career Development-Based Programs.Program Listings – See the programs we offer.Programs Overview – See what our programs are about.Golf Outing – Please check your local Playhouse for the date.GiGiFIT Challenge – Please check your local playhouse for the date.Down Syndrome Awareness Month – October. ![]() Down Syndrome 101 – Facts about Down syndrome.
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