About Us
Our Mission
Our mission is to create lasting acceptance of people with Down syndrome and to provide resources to organizations that support those with Down syndrome and other differing abilities.
Meet Amina Grace
With beautiful brown eyes and a bright, warm smile, Amina Grace was known for her sense of wonder and big, long hugs.
Amina was a middle child, born to Maura and Munawar in the winter of 2009. She had an older brother Nabil and a younger sister Emma. When Amina entered the world she was peaceful and smiling and you could sense a strength about her. She was an easy child to raise as she had a “go with the flow” mentality. This would serve her well through the therapies, surgeries and challenges that she faced. She had the amazing ability to take whatever life threw at her and really make the best of it. Amina loved to be with family. She would sit right next to you, so close many times she was even sitting on you. Amina would cradle your face with her little hand or place her soft cheek against yours to show you how much she cared about you. She loved to build with magna-tiles, listen to music, (especially Laurie Berkner) and play at her sand table in the yard. Amina had this incredible belly laugh that was contagious and she laughed with her whole face. She found dogs and blowing bubbles to be delightful, her favorite snack was pirate booty and her favorite show was Peep and the Big Wide World.
Amina was our rudder – she brought us together and set the pace of our family, which was peaceful, happy, yet determined. We have changed for the better because of Amina. We live more in the moment, we see differences as opportunities and we are committed to teaching acceptance and the value of those born with Down syndrome. Amina Grace you are such a blessing to our family. We love you more than all the places God can be.
Meet Amina Grace
With beautiful brown eyes and a bright, warm smile, Amina Grace was known for her sense of wonder and big, long hugs.
Amina was a middle child, born to Maura and Munawar in the winter of 2009. She had an older brother Nabil and a younger sister Emma. When Amina entered the world she was peaceful and smiling and you could sense a strength about her. She was an easy child to raise as she had a “go with the flow” mentality. This would serve her well through the therapies, surgeries and challenges that she faced. She had the amazing ability to take whatever life threw at her and really make the best of it. Amina loved to be with family. She would sit right next to you, so close many times she was even sitting on you. Amina would cradle your face with her little hand or place her soft cheek against yours to show you how much she cared about you. She loved to build with magna-tiles, listen to music, (especially Laurie Berkner) and play at her sand table in the yard. Amina had this incredible belly laugh that was contagious and she laughed with her whole face. She found dogs and blowing bubbles to be delightful, her favorite snack was pirate booty and her favorite show was Peep and the Big Wide World.
Amina was our rudder – she brought us together and set the pace of our family, which was peaceful, happy, yet determined. We have changed for the better because of Amina. We live more in the moment, we see differences as opportunities and we are committed to teaching acceptance and the value of those born with Down syndrome. Amina Grace you are such a blessing to our family. We love you more than all the places God can be.
A Message from the Founders
The moment Amina Grace was born and we saw her beautiful face, Munawar and I realized she had Down syndrome. We were unfamiliar with the road that lie ahead and were shocked when we shared her diagnosis and many people responded with, “I’m sorry.” From the time she was an infant we vowed it would be our mission to show the world the possibilities of those with Down syndrome.
As Amina started to grow we wanted to find a place where she could thrive, a place where they would see the best in her…a place where she had value and could reach her full potential. We found GiGi’s Playhouse. Amina learned to read through the Literacy program and loved attending events at the Playhouse. She was really blossoming. In addition to going to GiGi’s Playhouse, Amina had other therapies to support her development…speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy. Progress was slow but steady. Many of the therapy sessions were not easy but Amina took them in stride and worked hard. By watching Amina, we learned it’s not about how quickly one can master something but that if you have the patience to stick with it, eventually you will get it done. As we looked at her future, we planned for her to live at Misericordia after her schooling was complete; a wonderful place in Chicago where adults with intellectual disabilities live and thrive.
Our family’s life was wonderful – we spent lots of time together and had found a peaceful rhythm. We loved being Amina’s parents. On September 17, 2014, due to a mistake at the hospital Amina suddenly and tragically passed away. Unbelievably we watched our child die.
Losing Amina Grace took us to our knees but if we’ve ever been sure of anything, it is this: Amina was sent here to this Earth to work through us to inspire others. To change people. To open people’s hearts to endless possibilities. We created the Amina Grace Memorial Fund to honor her and to carry on life’s lessons that we learned with her – that all human beings have amazing abilities, but sometimes we need a little extra help to live up to our full potential.
The moment Amina Grace was born and we saw her beautiful face, Munawar and I realized she had Down syndrome. We were unfamiliar with the road that lie ahead and were shocked when we shared her diagnosis and many people responded with, “I’m sorry.” From the time she was an infant we vowed it would be our mission to show the world the possibilities of those with Down syndrome.
As Amina started to grow we wanted to find a place where she could thrive, a place where they would see the best in her…a place where she had value and could reach her full potential. We found GiGi’s Playhouse. Amina learned to read through the Literacy program and loved attending events at the Playhouse. She was really blossoming. In addition to going to GiGi’s Playhouse, Amina had other therapies to support her development…speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy. Progress was slow but steady. Many of the therapy sessions were not easy but Amina took them in stride and worked hard. By watching Amina, we learned it’s not about how quickly one can master something but that if you have the patience to stick with it, eventually you will get it done. As we looked at her future, we planned for her to live at Misericordia after her schooling was complete; a wonderful place in Chicago where adults with intellectual disabilities live and thrive.
Our family’s life was wonderful – we spent lots of time together and had found a peaceful rhythm. We loved being Amina’s parents. On September 17, 2014, due to a mistake at the hospital Amina suddenly and tragically passed away. Unbelievably we watched our child die.
Losing Amina Grace took us to our knees but if we’ve ever been sure of anything, it is this: Amina was sent here to this Earth to work through us to inspire others. To change people. To open people’s hearts to endless possibilities. We created the Amina Grace Memorial Fund to honor her and to carry on life’s lessons that we learned with her – that all human beings have amazing abilities, but sometimes we need a little extra help to live up to our full potential.
Meet Our Staff
Anne Marie Brown, Executive Director
Anne Marie Brown joined the Amina Grace Memorial Fund in May 2018. Anne Marie has 20+ years working and volunteering in the non-profit sector in various capacities including community outreach, operational excellence, event management and board relations. Prior to joining the Amina Grace Memorial Fund, Anne Marie worked at GiGi’s Playhouse Inc., where she met founders Maura Cullen and Munawar Ali. Anne Marie is honored to have the chance to keep Amina’s spirit alive through helping to bring awareness to the possibilities of what individuals with Down syndrome are capable of doing through programs funded by the Amina Grace Memorial Fund.
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About Down Syndrome
- Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. Approximately one in every 722 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome – about 5,100 each year
- Siblings of individuals with DS have more empathy and kindness toward their brothers and sisters and less conflict and more warmth in their relationship
- Adult siblings of people with DS report more understanding, trust, and respect for their siblings, describing their sibling relationship as more positive and less likely to impact their relationship with their parents
- Parents report increased feelings of empowerment, personal growth, and a rearrangement of priorities, as examples of the positive changes they attribute to their experience of parenting a child with Down syndrome
- All people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays, but the effect is usually mild to moderate and is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual possesses
- Children and young adults with Down syndrome have significantly higher “adaptive” skills than their low I.Q. scores might suggest
- People with Down syndrome attend school, work, participate in decisions that affect them, have meaningful relationships, vote and contribute to society in many wonderful ways
- Quality educational programs, a stimulating home environment, good health care and positive support from family, friends and the community enable people with Down syndrome to lead fulfilling and productive lives
- A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are: low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm. Every person with Down syndrome is a unique individual and may possess these characteristics to different degrees or not at all
- People with Down syndrome have an increased risk for certain medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing problems, Alzheimer’s disease, childhood leukemia and thyroid conditions. Many of these conditions are now treatable, so most people with Down syndrome lead healthy lives
- Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades – from 25 in 1983 to 60 today
*Statistics gathered from the National Down Syndrome Society www.ndss.org – October 2018
Amina Grace Memorial Fund
333 Busse Hwy., #817
Park Ridge, IL 60068-3251