Awareness
MYTH-BUSTING: Are people with Down syndrome always happier?
(“Myth-busting” is a multi-part blog series where we tackle all things Down syndrome: misconceptions, half-truths, and fabrications. We’re setting the record straight, once and for all.) We’ve all been there before. No matter how hard we try to stay positive, we have moments where our mood dips. Whether it’s a bad day at work, school,…
Read MoreGiGi’s Playhouse Kicks Off 13-City Nationwide Tour with MLB Players at Cincinnati Playhouse
GiGi’s Playhouse, in partnership with MLB player Jake Burger and the Burger Family Foundation, kicked off its 13-city nationwide tour today in Cincinnati. Burger and his Texas Rangers teammates Corey Seager and opposing Reds players Graham Ashcraft and Nick Lodolo visited GiGi’s Playhouse Cincinnati to promote Down syndrome awareness and engage with families
Read MoreGiGi Gianni to speak at United Nations ahead of World Down Syndrome Day
GiGi, the 22-year-old namesake and Chief Inspiration Officer of GiGi’s Playhouse, will be taking the stage at the United Nations Headquarters in New York ahead of World Down Syndrome Day. A self-advocate, GiGi will speak to a global audience as part of the Center for Family & Human Rights panel on increasing support systems for individuals with Down syndrome. GiGi’s speech will center on her life, her journey, and the inherent value of all individuals with Down syndrome.
Read MoreGiGi’s Educator Symposium: helping everyone reach their full potential
We’ve all been there before. We have an ambitious goal — at school, at work, at the gym — and as insurmountable as the goal may seem, we know we can accomplish it; we just need the right tools. At GiGi’s Playhouse, we provide those tools. We believe that individuals with Down syndrome are just…
Read MoreChanging the conversation: GiGi’s Playhouse educates and advocates
Sometimes, the smallest interactions spark the most meaningful change. Last month, Fox News published a heartwarming article about the joys and challenges of raising a child with Down syndrome. The piece was uplifting and inspiring — exactly the kind of representation the Down syndrome community deserves. But there was a slight problem. The article’s headline…
Read MoreChanging the Game: NFL Players Support GiGi’s Playhouse for ‘My Cause My Cleats’
Sometimes, exposure makes all the difference. This year, as NFL fans fought through their food comas to watch their favorite team during Thanksgiving weekend, many saw special cleats. These cleats didn’t have “Nike,” “Adidas,” or “Jordan” etched on the side; instead, they had a different organization scribbled across them: GiGi’s Playhouse. As part of the…
Read MoreSpeaking up: GiGi’s Participants are inspiring the world!
Public speaking isn’t exactly for the faint of heart. Let’s face it: whether it’s for school, work, or a public event, the thought of giving a speech or presentation makes most of us uneasy, and for good reason; it’s scary. Stepping on stage, speaking in front of a crowd, revealing who you are—it’s all nerve-wracking.…
Read MoreMYTHBUSTING: Can People with Down Syndrome Vote?
(“Myth-busting” is a new multi-part blog series where we tackle all things Down syndrome: misconceptions, half-truths, and fabrications. We’re setting the record straight, once and for all.) “Rock the vote.” “Let your voice be heard.” Your vote matters.” As Americans, we’ve all heard these sayings again and again, especially during election years. Voting allows us…
Read MoreBuilding Bridges: GiGi’s Changes Lives through Community Businesses
Local businesses are the heart of every community. While platforms like Amazon have made online shopping more popular than ever, there’s still no substitute for stepping into a local shop — a florist, coffee shop, or countless other brick-and-mortars — and interacting with local employees and businesses owners. Entering small businesses allows consumers to get to know integral members…
Read MoreDOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH — LEADING THE WAY TO ACCEPTANCE
We’ve all been there before — we walk into a room, and for whatever reason, it feels like all eyes are on us. For most of us, this is a fleeting feeling, but for individuals with Down syndrome, this is a daily reality. Individuals with Down syndrome wear their diagnosis on their face. Because of…
Read More