It’s time for magazines and newspapers to ply us with those  typical year-end columns on “the best of” 2008. I usually skim a few and move onward, but The Chicago Tribune’s Top Ten Chicagoans of 2008 grabbed my attention with the inspirational story of  Nancy Gianni, whose third child, Gigi, was born with Down Syndrome. Nancy, citing a need for more playful, social resources for Down Syndrome children, began Gigi’s Playhouse – an activity and learning center for such children – now with four locations in the Chicago area, all run by volunteers.Â
This struck me as  a great example of an idea made significant. As a result of her efforts and her ability to Speak Up, hundreds and thousands of us are made more aware of the world of parents with children with special needs. Significance is defined as “importance”, “meaning” or “of value”  – attributes that are hidden in the potential of many of our ideas. But it is the person who speaks up who turns potential into significant action. I hope in 2009 I can do more of that. How about you?
