The challenges Down syndrome people face include potential cognitive limitations, obesity and weak muscle tone as well as hurtful stereotypes about their appearance and manner of speech.

Nancy, the mother of GiGi, a Downs Syndrome child, knew she had to help her daughter and help other Down's syndrome children as well, so 13-years-ago she opened the first GiGi's Playhouse in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The results are remarkable:

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Available to everyone at no charge, GiGi'’s Playhouse is a warm and welcoming family community that offers therapy, education, career training and positive reinforcement.

GiGi's Playhouse Downs Syndrome Achievement Centers  

Photo: levitetzfamilyfoundation.org

Last year, over 26,000 Downs syndrome people and their families participated in what is now 30 GiGi’s Playhouses in the U.S., and the first international Playhouse in Mexico.

"Down’s syndrome doesn’t define who they are," Nancy told CNN Heroes. "When you believe in somebody, the outcomes are amazing," she added.

Editor’s Note: To learn more, visit http://gigisplayhouse.org/cnnheroes. To see some of these Down syndrome children as young adults in a 2 minute, 43 second video, click here.

Because GiGi's Playhouse is non-profit and offers its services for free to those in need, if you would like to make a donation, please click here.

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