March 21 celebrates World Down Syndrome Day, and as actress Caterina Scorsone, who is best known for her role in the hit show Grey’s Anatomy, revealed on Instagram, it’s a day she thoroughly enjoys celebrating and acknowledging.
On November 4, 2016, Scorsone became a mother for a second time. She and her ex-husband Rob Giles named their little girl Paloma “Pippa” Giles. It was later revealed that Pippa had Down syndrome and as a result, Scorsone has become an outspoken advocate for her daughter and others who have Down syndrome.
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In 2020, in an interview with Good Morning America, Scorsone opened up about her daughter’s eyes describing them as upside-down rainbows. “It starts with an indigo ring around her iris that gives way to a deep evergreen, which sparkles into hazel flecks that turn a sunset shade of golden orange near the center. The colors stand out, differentiated by the Brushfield spots, which come with the 47th chromosome that creates Down syndrome in a person’s DNA,” she explained.
Scorsone is also a mom to two other daughters. Pippa is the middle child. “Her hair is like soft-spun caramel,” Scorsone continued. “She likes wearing dresses more than pants.” She also likes toast with butter, jumping on the trampoline, music, the color red, swimming, sign language, and coconut water.
Yet, despite the joys she finds in everyday things, the proud mom wrote, “Pippa is different.” And that’s perfectly okay. She has a different way of learning things, she is small for her age, but her “eyes are wise,” Scorsone told GMA. And isn’t everyone different in their own way?
Scorsone and Pippa Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on Instagram
Now, several months later, Scorsone is still Pippa’s biggest advocate. On March 21, the mom of three took to Instagram to share a photo of her and Pippa on World Down Syndrome Day.
Scorsone wrote, “When this little soul was born to me, she placed her tiny hands over my eyes and taught me to stop looking and finally see. Happy World Down Syndrome Day.”
And as the actress wrote for GMA in 2020, Pippa deserves equity in life and that is something she will continue to fight for day in and day out. “For us to have equity, we each need to be seen as worthy and precious because of, rather than despite our differences.” And we couldn’t agree more.