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Palin Connects To Parents Of Down Syndrome Kids

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (CBS) ― Governor Palin's speech struck a chord with one group of voters - parents of children with Down syndrome. Since Palin has a child with the condition, they all share a common, personal cause.

CBS 2's Derrick Blakley reports that when Nancy Gianni found out that her daughter Gigi, now age 6, had Down syndrome, she felt her world had crumbled.

"Before she was born, it was all this, 'Yeah! You're having a baby!' And afterwards, no one had any eye contact with me anymore, people were afraid to come by and congratulate me," said Nancy Gianni, Founder of Gigi's Playhouse. "It was a lot of 'I'm sorry' and a lot of tears."

Now, Nancy and the parents of other special needs kids are excited at the possibility of having a vice-president who knows those hardships.

"I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House," said GOP VP nominee Sarah Palin in her acceptance speech.

Sarah Palin's 4-month-old son Trig has Down syndrome - a fact Palin knew during her pregnancy.

Five years ago, Nancy Gianni founded Gigi's Playhouse, a Down syndrome awareness center that offers fun and a variety of therapies for kids with Down syndrome.

Skip and Gayle Gianopulos are parents of 18-month old Cassidy, who has Down syndrome.

"It really does shape a person's world view, it shapes the way we look at others," said Skip Gianopulos. "Personally, I think we're better people for having kids with special needs."

"It was very moving," Gayle Gianopulos said. "She didn't have to mention that at all."

While some parents here are hoping Sarah Palin can help educate the nation about special needs kids, others are hoping for additional programs and resources.

Erica Raff is mother to 17-month old Jimmy, who has Down syndrome.

"I think he could help out with the insurance," Raff said. "Not every mother or father is blessed where they can stay home and help out with the education and therapies the kids need."

But most are simply hoping Palin can raise awareness and that with proper support, every Down syndrome child can shine.

Gigi's Playhouse is funded strictly though private donations and offers its services at no cost to individuals with Down syndrome and their families. It now has locations in Hoffman Estates, Plainfield, McHenry and Chicago.

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