February 2019 Newsletter
Have you seen this AMAZING story about Amy Bockersette from our GiGi's Playhouse Phoenix location?!? We are SO excited to announce that Amy will be the GiGi’s “Beat the Pro” for the GiGi’s National Golf Outing at Wynstone Golf Club on August 26, 2019! Greg Woodland is her new BFF...
Eternally Grateful
Today we have the treat of guest poster Nikki, big sister to Brett. There is truly nothing like the sibling bond. Learning and growing together. My brother Brett is one of the brightest lights in my life. He came into this world 26 years ago and as a 6-year-old girl, I...
Determination & Letting Go
Happy New Year! I hope everyone is feeling fresh and excited about the new opportunities that 2019 holds! Let’s go get all we want! 2018 buried me in unfinished family business, Playhouse business, book business, and mom business! I am trying to navigate it all, but I think I am going...
Can’t stop! Won’t Stop! (but I will remember to stop and enjoy the moments)
Have you ever been so busy that when you finally take a breath and you hear birds chirp that you are surprised by that beautiful sound? I have had my head so buried that I was not seeing, or hearing, the beauty all around me! This happens to me sometimes...
#GenerationG, the new G in town.
Guest poster and GiGi's Playhouse mom, Beth, shares some thoughts and a challenge with us today! Are you a "G"? Urban dictionary defines a "G" as a term of endearment or to be gangster...as in "what's up G?" This term was coined during the 90's in the hip-hop world...
Dear Doctor | Know Better, Do Better.
GiGi's Playhouse is made of inspiration, belief, achievements and the beautiful stories of every person who becomes part of this family. Today we are proud to share the words and heart of GiGi's Playhouse Tinley Park founder, Diane Husar. Like many her introduction to the Down syndrome world was less...
One Million Voices? It is possible!
When I think about reaching one million voices, I literally get sick to my stomach, thinking how are we going to make this happen??? It’s impossible! Then I think back to the very first Playhouse and I remember multiple people asking if they could open one. More than one?? I...
Does anyone have a cassette player?
At the recent opening of our 38th GiGi’s Playhouse location in Tampa Florida, I was reminded and touched by the incredible love of siblings multiple times. First, in all of the siblings playing with their sibling with Down syndrome, helping them, laughing, sometimes fighting(have to keep it real) but always...
Ending Summer with a Bang: Baseball, Lemonade and the Sunshine State!
Summer is winding down and GiGi and I have had very little time to catch our breath over the last few months. We packed thousands of miles and countless accomplishments into a very short summer-and we are not done yet! In fact, tomorrow we leave for Tampa Florida for the...
To my Sofia On Her First Day …
First days of school are starting, with that comes feelings of excitement, hope, fears, nerves and a new push to advocate, change the way children with disabilities are seen in all parts of their communities! GiGi's wants to wish you ALL an amazing school year and we will want to...
Sweet 16
Sixteen years ago, my husband Paul and I envisioned a new world of acceptance and opportunity when we welcomed into the family, our second daughter GiGi, born with Down syndrome. Frustrated by negative reactions from her medical team and discovering an alarming absence of every day, positive and practical resources for children...
5 Playhouses in 6 Days! | Our tanks are FULL!
5 Playhouses in 6 Days, a full day strategy meeting and the biggest donor pitch of our life… it’s just another week at GiGi’s Playhouse Inc! Waldo’s got nothin’ on GiGi and me!!! We’ve been globetrotters for the past week traveling far and wide to spread the #GenerationG movement...