At our latest Apex Lions Club meeting, we had the privilege of welcoming the incredibly inspiring Matthew Schwab as our guest speaker. Matthew is a 27-year-old North Carolina native who brought warmth, wit, and wisdom to our gathering and left us thinking deeply about the power of inclusion.
Matthew is more than a public speaker. He’s an entrepreneur, actor, TEDx speaker, board member, restaurant host, and advocate for individuals with Down syndrome and the broader IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) community. And yes, he’s also a ballroom dancer who loves playing Wii with his fiancée!
During his engaging talk, Matthew shared his personal journey and gave us an inside look at the work of GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh, a Down Syndrome Achievement Center dedicated to changing lives through free educational and therapeutic programs. Located in downtown Cary, GiGi’s Playhouse is powered by volunteers and driven by a mission of acceptance and empowerment. The impact they’re making from prenatal support to job readiness is nothing short of remarkable.
Matthew’s message was clear: people with Down syndrome are capable, talented, and deserve the same opportunities as anyone else. He challenged us, as community leaders, to be inclusive in our workplaces, our schools, and our lives. And honestly? We’re look forward to that challenge.
If you haven’t been to an Apex Lions Club meeting yet, consider this your invitation. We’re all about learning, giving back, and making Apex a better place to live and we’d love for you to be part of it. You never know who you’ll meet or how you’ll be inspired.
Learn more about Matthew and his work at www.matthewschwabspeaks.com, and if you’re curious about volunteering or supporting GiGi’s Playhouse, visit www.gigisplayhouse.org/raleigh.
Come join us — and be a part of something meaningful!
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