June 2026 Newsletter
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS NEWS FREE PROGRAMS 62 LOCATIONS GLOBAL ACCEPTANCE A word from our Founder, Nancy Gianni Play Video Hello GiGi's Change Makers! An error. A mistake. A 'glitch.' Those words belong in conversations about technology, not human beings. Yet, last week, a well-known YouTuber used that exact word - a glitch - to describe Down syndrome...
GiGi’s Playhouse Speaks Out
At GiGi's Playhouse, we tend to focus on the positives. We spend most of our time celebrating achievements, building acceptance, and changing the way the world views Down syndrome. But when misinformation spreads and harmful assumptions about individuals with Down syndrome are amplified to millions of people, silence is not...
She was searching for answers. She found a community.
It wasn’t a doctor’s call that told Madisen her daughter might have Down syndrome; it was a text tied to a gender reveal. At around 12 weeks pregnant, Madisen had completed Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) at her OB-GYN’s recommendation. When the results came in, they weren’t directly communicated to her. Instead, her sister came across them while reviewing paperwork...
May 2026 Newsletter
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS NEWS FREE PROGRAMS 62 LOCATIONS GLOBAL ACCEPTANCE A word from our Founder, Nancy Gianni Hello GiGi's Change Makers! This month has been an emotional rollercoaster. As you may have seen on our social media, recently, a 12-year-old boy with Down syndrome and a member of our GiGi's Playhouse...
Early Intervention for Down Syndrome: Therapies & Support | GiGi’s Playhouse
Introduction: Why Early Intervention Matters for Down Syndrome Crawling. Sitting. Walking. Talking. The first few years of life are crucial for all children. They’re not only full of milestones, but children also go through significant developmental changes. For children with Down syndrome, early life can look a little different. Many...
April 2026 Newsletter
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS NEWS FREE PROGRAMS 62 LOCATIONS GLOBAL ACCEPTANCE A word from our Founder, Nancy Gianni Hello GiGi's Change Makers! Spring is here! And it's a busy time for our Playhouses and for us as a family. After a VIP luncheon at GiGi's Simi Valley, GiGi and I are heading...
My Adidas: How Footwear Supports Movement for Individuals with Down Syndrome
It’s got to be the shoes. For years, we’ve been told that when it comes to athletic performance, shoes matter. They can make us run faster, jump higher, and just play better. But let’s be honest: most of this is marketing. Deep down, we all know that (unfortunately) the latest pair of running shoes won’t turn us into a world champion marathon runner. Still, for some, shoes are more...
Life with Down Syndrome: What to Expect at Every Age
Understanding Life with Down Syndrome Across Every Stage "When will they take their first steps? Say their first words? Make friends? Find their place in the world?" Wondering about your child's future is natural for every parent. We all imagine the milestones and triumphs that make life feel full. For...
Understanding Trisomy 21, Mosaicism, and Translocation
Understanding the Different Types of Down Syndrome When you first receive a Down syndrome diagnosis, it can feel like you need to learn a whole new vocabulary. Medical terms, confusing jargon, and technical language are often thrown your way. It's completely normal to feel overwhelmed or experience information overload. That's...
March 2026 Newsletter
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS NEWS FREE PROGRAMS 62 LOCATIONS GLOBAL ACCEPTANCE A word from our Founder, Nancy Gianni Hello GiGi's Change Makers! As a parent, there's nothing like watching your child put themselves out there. No matter how old they are, you worry. You want the world to see them exactly as you do. A...
Born to be Heard – Christina and Emmaleigh’s story
Guest post written by Christina, mom to Emmaleigh. See the link at the bottom of the post to submit your story. I often share about our lifelong journey for inclusion and about Emmaleigh’s many accomplishments. What I rarely share is our birth story. I don’t often share it because even...
Common Misconceptions About Down Syndrome
Clearing Up Common Misconceptions About Down Syndrome Let's face it: We're in the information age. More content lies at our fingertips than most of us know what to do with. A simple Google search alone retrieves thousands of results. But where there's so much information available, the lines between fact...