World Down Syndrome Day

It’s World Down Syndrome Day today so we’re celebrating by sharing a couple of stories from Gymboree Play & Music families who live with Down Syndrome.

Matilda and Abi’s Story

“I’m Abi, the very lucky mummy to Matilda, who just happens to have Down Syndrome.

Matilda was born in March 2017 after what was a pretty horrendous pregnancy. Not because either of us were poorly but because we had a diagnosis that would lead us into unknown territory. Scared of the unknown, scared if she would be accepted by others, scared if she would be ok. Scared of all the things we were scared of with our first little girl, just magnified because of a diagnosis.

Then,  a week early,  Matilda shot out, on her terms and showed us that she had it sorted. And that was the moment everything changed.

Matilda isn’t Down Syndrome. Matilda is Matilda, our amazing little girl who is just perfect.  She gave others a run for their money rolling, sitting, crawling a walking and I believe a lot of this is to do with her attending Gymboree Play & Music.

Gymboree Play & Music is entwined with Matilda’s diagnosis and early years.

I can very clearly remember getting the news our new baby was going to be born with Down Syndrome – I was in the car park at Gymboree Play & Music Bristol.  My little girl Flo and I were members and we loved our Play & Learn classes every week, it was the only class we did and I knew straight away that this was the class I wanted to do with Matilda.  I remember reading about Sally Phillips who’s son has Down Syndrome,  saying once “we were doing physiotherapy, they were going to Gymboree to maximise their baby’s potential.”  I knew it would be so beneficial for her and I tearfully asked the staff if it would be ok if I brought my baby to classes once she was born. It seems crazy now that I even asked but it was so important for me to know that she would have somewhere to go. Needless to say, it wasn’t even questioned and we all got a bit teary!

Matilda’s diagnosis is Down Syndrome and with that comes a range of different needs which vary from child to child, but for Tilly it’s communication (she’s mostly non-verbal so we use Makaton and an electronic talker to communicate); she has hyper-mobility and hyper-tension so she has to work harder with physical activities. Having said that, she’s fairly robust, and was walking by 18 months!

Matilda and I loved our Gymboree Play & Music lessons.  For me it didn’t really feel any different to how it had been with Flo.  It was so important to me that it was an inclusive environment where Tilly could just be herself.  The team and fellow members were amazing and we felt like one of the crew. Sometimes activities were adapted and I used Makaton alongside songs but Matilda was able to access the classes alongside everyone else.

Gymboree Play & Music was a safe, language-rich, contained environment where Tilly could build on her strength and confidence.  She’s never really liked soft play or trampoline parks, they’ve always felt too wild and noisy. But the structured classes at Gymboree Play & Music were the highlight of our week, Tilly particularly loved the singing, lights and swinging!

When Matilda was about 8 months old I heard that the owner of Gymboree Play & Music Bristol was looking to sell.  I was a Deputy Head at the time and was having doubts about how I was going to cope after my maternity leave not knowing how much time I’d need for medical appointments etc.  So we decided to buy the franchise!

Matilda is now 7 and at a mainstream school, happy and thriving.  I feel so passionately about all children, disability or not, being able to have fun and be challenged in their classes and I know first hand that we make this happen. We’ve had lots of children with Down Syndrome come through our Gymbo classes over the last few years as word has spread about us.  The benefits it brings, from sensory experience, strengthening activities, building social skills, having fun and being part of Gymbo’s crew is perfect for c hildren with Down Syndrome!”

Nate and Charlotte’s Story

“Nate was born October 2020; within an hour of Nate’s birth, Matt (Dad) and I noticed that Nate had some characteristics of Down Syndrome. We asked the midwife what she thought and that was when our world changed dramatically. Before we knew it there was a room full of doctors talking of ‘things’ we had never expected to relate to us as a family.

I’m sad to say that the first few days of Nate’s life are not one that we remember fondly. Nate was admitted to Neo-Natal as children with Down Syndrome can sometimes have additional medical needs. It was soon identified that Nate had a small Ventricular Septal Defect (known as VSD) but luckily this has been non-surgical and is closing on its own.

Matt immediately reached out to  Positive About Down Syndrome who helped us understand the needs of our new son. PADS helped us see that life after a diagnosis is ok; children and families thrive! We know that to be true now and we hope to continue to help change perceptions of Down Syndrome.

I first found Gymboree Play & Music in 2016 when I attended with my elder son Zac. When Nate was born, I knew it was one of the classes I needed to do again.

As soon as classes opened, post-covid, I asked to join the waiting list.

After Nate’s diagnosis I was nervous about going to baby classes. I arrived at our first Gymbo and wow did we feel welcome! The baby class is wonderful! One of the few classes in our local area where the room is warm, clean and dark enough for when the fibre optic lights come out, it is magical!

When it was time for the babies to move up to ‘Crawlers’ I wobbled. Although my son was the same age as the others, he wasn’t yet crawling. I shouldn’t have worried. Yes we were asked what we wanted to do, and were included in the conversation, but it was clear no-one would be moving Nate anywhere until we were both ready.

Before I knew it we were following the others and heading into ‘Crawlers’.

Nate adores the Crawlers room. He can get up to so much mischief! Nate would crawl up to Gymbo during the Welcome Song and make himself comfortable on Jennie’s lap. It was so wonderful to see how he got to know the routine, and how much it aided his development.

The room itself is completely accessible and child friendly. Equipment is safe and although there is a theme set up each week, if there was something that any child wanted it was made available.

Nate particularly loved the low benches and knocking the activities off it!

He also liked getting stuck under the table which housed the parachute and Gymbo, he knew it was coming and just couldn’t wait until the end of class! I think ‘bubble time’ is a favourite for both children and parents!

I wanted to add, Gymboree Play & Music is the only company in our area that offers make-up sessions. Nate’s diary was full of appointments and knowing that we wouldn’t miss out on the fun (or financially) was wonderful. I really appreciated that flexibility.

We had to make the sad decision to leave Gymboree Play & Music for now. At age 2, Nate has access to Conductive Education (@NICECharityuk) and the sessions clashed with Gymbo. I really hope to return one day. With Zac I did a class every day, and tried various groups. With Nate I only stuck with Gymbo and swimming; they were the only places I felt he was fully included and respected.

Thank you, Gymboree Play & Music Solihull, Jennie and her wonderful team.

We remember our time with Gymbo very fondly.”