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Gigi’s Playhouse Changes Views on Down Syndrome Gigi's Playhouse Changes Views on Down Syndrome

The GigiFit Acceptance Challenge is happening on Saturday, April 30th.

By Kayley Decina

Heather Rodriguez and Jared Okun stand together in Gigi's Playhouse Syracuse location.
© 2022 Kayley Decina

REPORTER: RECENTLY, EMPLOYERS HAVE STRUGGLED TO FILL ENTRY LEVEL POSITIONS. BUT HAVE THEY CONSIDERED ALL THEIR APPLICANTS?

ADULTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME ARE READY TO WORK.

JARED OKUN: “WHEN I WAS BORN MY MOM WAS TERRIFIED, BUT LOOK AT ME… FORTUNATELY I’M STILL KICKING AND BREATHING.”

REPORTER: 28 YEAR OLD JARED OKUN HAS A JOB, HIS OWN APARTMENT, A GIRLFRIEND, AND DOWN SYNDROME.

OKUN FIRST ATTENDED GIGI’S PLAYHOUSE AT AGE 13 AND LEARNED THE IMPORTANT SKILLS THAT ALLOW HIM TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY.

HEATHER RODRIGUEZ: “WE’RE NOT JUST SAYING HERE, HIRE PEOPLE WITH DIFFERING ABILITIES BECAUSE IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO, BUT WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE READY TO GO INTO THE WORKFORCE AND SHOW WHAT THEY’RE CAPABLE OF.”

REPORTER: HEATHER RODRIGUEZ THE MARKETING CHAIR FOR GIGI’S PLAYHOUSE SAYS THAT THEIR PROGRAM, GIGI U, HELPS BUILD UP SKILL SETS AS ADULTS.

JARED OKUN: “I WORK AT A SCHOOL, I’M IN FOOD SERVICE.”

REPORTER: OKUN SAYS HE LOVES HIS JOB AND IS ALWAYS UP FOR A NEW CHALLENGE. KAYLEY DECINA, NCC NEWS.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – 28-year-old Jarad Okun has a job, his own apartment, a girlfriend and Down Syndrome. Okun is a shining example of people with Down Syndrome being given equal opportunities and accepting the challenge.

At age 13, Okun came to Gigi’s Playhouse, a volunteer based center that focuses on purposeful programs and global acceptance for individuals with Down Syndrome. 

“When I was born my mom was terrified, but look at me… fortunately I’m still kicking and breathing,” Okun said jokingly.

Heather Rodriguez, the marketing chair for Gigi’s Playhouse, reflected on the center’s importance for new and expecting mothers.

“A lot of expecting parents or brand new parents who had a birth diagnosis, they’re peeking in on our website, they’re looking at what’s this all about, they’re scrolling instagram trying to find that place of hope,” she said.

For many, Gigi’s Playhouse is that safe haven. Rodriguez said individuals never age out of Gigi’s Playhouse. There are intervention programs for children a few months old, to career training programs for adults 18 and older.

Gigi U is a service designed to help adults with Down Syndrome learn valuable skills and achieve their goals. The ultimate goal is for these individuals to progress into the workforce and live independently. 

For two years, Okun has worked in food services at a local school. Okun loves being able to work and values respect in his workplace. 

“Respect doesn’t just come to you,” Okun said. “You have to bring it out to the world and have them bring it back to you.”

Unfortunately, not everyone who meets Okun shows him this same respect, but that is not what he focuses on.

“A lot of people out in the world are really mean and vicious… When someone tries to tear myself down, I think of the things I do have and that I’m capable and have control of,” Okun said.

Okun now serves on the board of managers at Gigi’s Playhouse and does volunteer work at the center.

On Saturday, April 30, Gigi’s Playhouse is coming together with the Syracuse Community for the GigiFit Acceptance Challenge. 

Participants can register on their website to join the 5k, 1 Mile Inspirational Walk or the Kids Dash for Down Syndrome. This physical and social movement for acceptance will take place at Willow Bay Park in Liverpool, New York.

 

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