I wish someone would have told me…
Amy Stack, mom to Lael and 6 other beautiful children, shares her potent words on what she wished she would have been told after receiving her daughter's Down syndrome diagnosis. I wish someone would have told me… As I cradled my sweet baby girl, falling in love with her almond-shaped...
Celebrate Down syndrome ACCEPTANCE Month
October is Down Syndrome ACCEPTANCE Month – an entire month dedicated to shouting our friends’ and children’s worth from the rooftops! We’ve collected some great ideas from other parents about what they’ll be doing to celebrate differences and encourage inclusion in our communities! Share Facts about Down syndrome! Even though...
Family Stories – Audrey and her Best of All
Audrey is a bright light who is at our Cleveland Playhouse several times a week. She can be found drumming during Project Pulse, making new friends at Games with Friends, and giggling throughout Teen Tastic. As Audrey has grown, she has become a leader amongst her peers. She always wants...
Best of All – Andrew
This month we are highlighting an individual who shines a bright light of joy wherever he goes. You can often hear his laughter echoing throughout the Playhouse, while also finding him helping and participating in GiGiFIT Kids, Destination Discovery, Drama Troupe, and Music Makers. He has grown up at our...
Volunteer of the Month – Sierra
At GiGi's Playhouse Cleveland, we have a spectacular team of volunteers who lead our GiGiFIT programs. Volunteers who commit to three programs, back-to-back-to-back. They don't commit to an evening at GiGi's because they have to, they do it because they WANT to. Sierra is one of those volunteers. She started...
Family Stories – Annie
If you've ever been to our Playhouse you've more than likely met Annie. If you attended our 2022 Brew Ha Ha, you more than likely witnessed Annie end the Project Performance with the splits. If you’ve ever been to the Cleveland Clinic, you’ve more than likely seen Annie in action...
Best of All – GiGiFIT Summer Participants
As we step into August, we are beginning to wind down the Summer sessions of GiGiFIT Toddler, Kids, Teen, and Adult. Anyone who knows Erin, our GiGiFIT Coordinator, knows she is always beaming with pride when she talks about the progress of our GiGiFIT participants throughout the session. However, this...
Volunteer of the Month – Alyssa!
Math. Not everyone's favorite subject. A subject that some students may begrudgingly walk towards. Not Josie though. Josie RUNS into the Playhouse, into the arms of Alyssa - her math tutor, who greets Josie with a "GOOD MORNING, BEAUTIFUL" and a big hug. This embrace jumpstarts the tutoring session and...
Family Stories – Avery and Wesley
Down syndrome is a gift. It's a gift of presence. To slow down. Stop. Wait. Notice. Watch. Listen. Savor. Kayla, Avery's mom, shares a glimpse into her story of raising two beautiful kiddos - Avery and Wesley. Poetically, she teaches us how to slow down and savor each moment. She...
Family Stories – Finn and Emma
We always say that siblings are the best advocates. They love, challenge, and encourage their siblings to reach new heights, while also being a safe place to land. That's exactly what Emma is to Finn - a place of security and comfort, while also being that safe space for Finn...
Dash for Down Syndrome Reflection
Though days have passed by since our recent event, there are many moments from our Dash for Down Syndrome that bring us to tears in gratitude, celebration, and joy. If you were in attendance, you experienced the magic. If you could not attend the event this year, read the reflection...
Dash for Down Syndrome Recap
What an incredible morning we had! From volunteers, families, friends, non-profits, and other organizations, we had about 1,000 individuals moving for ACCEPTANCE, INCLUSION, and KINDNESS! Each and every individual made a difference and played a part in making this day a SUCCESS! • We extend the biggest “thank you” to...