Having a child born with special needs can be an isolating experience for some, but one group in eastern North Carolina is working to change that and build a support network for families who have children with Down Syndrome.

Washington resident Rebecca Reisig started the Eastern North Carolina Down Syndrome Network three years ago, when her son Graham, who was born with Down Syndrome, was 2 years old.

This weekend, the group will host its first ever ENC Down Syndrome Families play group here in Washington. Saturday, starting at 3 p.m., parents with children who have Down Syndrome are invited to join in the fun at First Church of Christ.

“Within a short amount of time, I met several moms here in Washington,” Reisig said. “Some of us have babies or young children that are similar in age, but no one knew each other. So I thought, ‘Maybe lets try a small play group here in Washington and see if we can’t connect these families together.’ So that’s what we’re doing.”

While the play group will offer a chance for the kids to play, it will also be an opportunity for parents to connect as well. For a parent whose child has special needs, that chance to chat and share stories is especially important, according to Reisig.

“There’s a lot to be said for having a community where people feel like somebody else truly understands,” Reisig said. “There’s no judgment and it’s a very open way to connect with other parents on a different level.”

In addition to playgroups, mostly in Greenville up until now, the group has also hosted music therapy sessions, holds an annual Christmas Party, and takes field trips with the kids. All the while, the parents are learning from each other.

“When you have a child born with special needs, it feels very isolating,” Reisig said. “You have that feeling like nobody understands what you’re going through. So you may come in contact with another mom or family that has gone through the same struggles. You have this sense of camaraderie.“

One of the group’s biggest events of the year is the ENC Buddy Walk, a fundraiser cohosted with the North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance. This year’s event is coming up on March 28 in Greenville.

In addition to the publically accessible ENC Down Syndrome Network page, the group also maintains a private Facebook group called Eastern NC Down Syndrome Families, a safe place where parents and families can share stories and advice with one another. The play group this weekend is open to all area families who have children with Down Syndrome.