October is the month for pumpkins, warm sweaters, and color changing leaves. However, it is also Down Syndrome Awareness month. Down Syndrome affects one in every 700 newborns, making it a genetic disorder present in all communities, including the Pleasant Valley community. Pleasant Valley has always strived to create an inclusive environment for all students no matter their abilities. PV High School’s Special Education teacher, Gina Meadows, said, “From very young, the schools in our district are so accepting. Everyone says hi and it is very rare that our kids get picked on. They all feel like they fit in.” Organizations such as The Sparkle Effect, Hand in Hand, and Gigi’s Playhouse all provide accepting environments for those with Down Syndrome.
Recently, Gigi’s Playhouse put on a 5K in hopes to increase acceptance for kids and adults with Down Syndrome. The event was held on Oct. 1 at Veteran’s Memorial Park and this year PV’s own Korryn Taghon participated in the “Dash for Down Syndrome.” Korryn’s mom, Dawn Taghon, says, “That day is a day of celebration for us. To celebrate our kid, reconnect with old friends, and meet new ones. We got involved with Gigi’s because when we had Korryn, I felt so alone and I never want another family to feel that way.” Korryn has been involved in multiple organizations like Gigi’s and The Sparkle Effect for multiple years and is a perfect representation of how students with Down Syndrome or other disabilities can become so accepted into their community and affect so many lives.
The Pleasant Valley community should be very proud of the environment that has been created for students with and without disabilities. The students and administration at PV, as well as citizens in the Quad Cities, have worked hard to ensure that all students feel included in the classroom and out in public. Meadows explains, “These organizations give them something that they belong to outside of school. People are constantly supporting them and it gives them a real sense of community.” The message our community is spreading is one important for schools all over the world to receive. A disability doesn’t define who a person is, their effect on others around them reveal who they really are.
