Our Story | Our Why

Marty and Annissa Duane have carried a deep love for people with different abilities for many years. Annissa grew up with two sisters who have Down syndrome, and one of them also lives with Cerebral Palsy. Because of these close family connections, both Marty and Annissa developed hearts of compassion and understanding, and even before their marriage in 2018, they knew they wanted to adopt children with different abilities.

That dream became reality on March 21, 2025—World Down Syndrome Day—when the Lord brought their daughter, Livia, into their family through adoption. Livia is a bright, beautiful, and spirited little girl who fills their lives with joy. Yet, as any parent knows, raising a child comes with challenges, and parenting a child with a disability brings additional unique ones.

When Marty and Annissa would take Livia out into the community, they often noticed how difficult it could be for her to navigate certain environments. Helping her manage behaviors in public settings sometimes left them feeling out of place, and they recognized that other families likely experienced the same struggles.

It was during these moments that a vision began to form: a place where children of all abilities could freely be themselves, without their families needing to apologize or explain. Out of that vision, Wonderfully Made Sensory Gym was born.

Wonderfully Made Sensory Gym exists to be a safe, welcoming, indoor play space designed for children with all kinds of abilities. It is a space where families can find community, children can thrive, and parents can simply enjoy watching their kids be who God wonderfully made them to be.