Awareness
Volunteer Spotlight: Kailyn
At GiGi’s Playhouse Canton, our volunteers bring creativity, passion, and joy to every program—and today we are excited to celebrate Kailyn Butt! Kailyn is full of energy and enthusiasm. She loves crafting, dancing, and trying new things, and she shares her life with her fiancé, Ayden, and their dog, Zoro. Her favorites give a peek into her…
Read MoreSensory Processing Challenges
So, what happens if our sensory system is dysregulated? The purpose of our sensory system is to keep us alive. It helps us interact with the environment in a purposeful way. When we think about the ways our bodies modulate, react, or respond to sensory input, we can appropriately respond, or if we have sensory processing challenges,…
Read MoreFrom Shy Beginnings to Confident Connections
Three years ago, we shared the story of a shy little girl just beginning her journey at the Playhouse — carefully stepping into a new environment, building trust, and celebrating small but meaningful “Best of All” moments. Today, Hadlie’s story is one of incredible growth, confidence, and connection 💛 Since that blog post was written,…
Read MoreWhat is Sensory Processing?
Sensory processing is something we all do, at all times of the day. It’s something that our brain does subconsciously and automatically. It helps us stay alive and function in our day-to-day lives. You may have heard that we have five senses (smell, taste, touch, hearing, and seeing). What most people don’t know is that we have three more sensory systems (proprioceptive, vestibular, and interoceptive) that play…
Read MoreWillow’s Incredible Willpower
At 14 months old, Willow is already showing incredible determination as she works toward meaningful developmental milestones through our Occupational Therapy program in partnership with Stark State College. One of Willow’s greatest strengths is her engagement—she makes beautiful eye contact and is deeply connected to the people around her. This strong social connection helps her…
Read MoreChelsea Finds Her Voice
Chelsea’s Best of All moment is one that speaks volumes—literally and figuratively. At 35 years old, Chelsea is navigating life following a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and over the past month, she has made incredible strides in her ability to communicate using an eye-gazing device. Each intentional glance is more than communication—it’s connection, choice, and…
Read MoreCelebrating Maylee’s Creativity
Maylee has been part of the GiGi’s Playhouse Canton family on and off for several years, first attending programs shortly after opening, and one thing has always remained constant – her love for our Teen programming. Whether she’s jumping into fitness, learning new skills in the kitchen, or trying something brand new, Maylee shows up…
Read MoreReflecting on the 2025 GiGi’s Annual Leadership Conference
Earlier in November, our team had the privilege of joining Playhouse leaders from across the country for the 2025 GiGi’s Annual Leadership Conference – a powerful gathering filled with inspiration, learning, and connection. Throughout the conference, we reflected on the incredible growth of our network, now more than 60 Playhouses strong, and explored new ways…
Read MoreOvercoming Obstacles: Matt’s Best of All
At GiGi’s Playhouse Canton, there is no challenge too big to overcome, and our Best of All honoree this month, Matt, is living proof of that. Matt approaches every challenge with determination, joy, and a “can-do” attitude that inspires everyone around him. Whether it’s through his school work or here at the Playhouse, Matt actively…
Read MoreCelebrating the Worth of Every Individual: Down Syndrome Awareness Month & Disability Employment Awareness Month
October is both Down Syndrome Awareness Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month – a special time to celebrate the unique strengths, talents, and contributions of individuals with disabilities, including those with Down syndrome. At GiGi’s Playhouse Canton, we believe awareness is just the beginning. True inclusion happens when our community recognizes the value and…
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