Family Story
Stars Shine Bright in Des Moines
November 25, 2013 (URBANDALE, IA): GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers announced 4 prestigious awards at its 10th Anniversary International Conference in Schaumburg, Illinois on Saturday, November 9. The “Super Star” award is given to a Playhouse that continually displays excellence in all aspects of mission readiness, programming, business operations and fundraising events. GiGi’s Playhouse…
Read MorePumpkin Patch Party
Thank You to everyone who came out for the GiGi’s Playhouse Des Moines Pumpkin Patch Fall Party! All over Howell’s Tree Farm you could see families and kids laughing, playing and loads of smiles! From horse back riding (fake or real) to the corn box, haybale maze and on the tractor you could tell our…
Read MoreGiGi’s 5k & Buddy Walk
Carsten’s Crusaders Carsten’s Crusaders will be participating in our 8th Buddy Walk on August 24th! Year after year we have had family, friends, and teachers rally together to show their love and support of Carsten, and financially support Up with Down, GiGi’s Playhouse and NDSA. It feels great to be able to show support for…
Read MoreGiGi’s 5k & Buddy Walk
“#TeamKianna” Kianna is a 9 yr.old female with Down syndrome. We found out she had Down syndrome about 2 months before she turned 2. She is in the 3rd grade at Oak Park in a cluster program. She enjoys reading and loves learning new things. While in the 1st grade she read a book to a…
Read MoreGiGi’s 5k & Buddy Walk
Team “Kelsey Girl” On August 9, 2010 at 6:00 a.m. a 7lb baby girl was laid in my arms. The nurses commented how special those numbers were. Everyone was unaware of another number that was going to become special. When I looked in her eyes I knew she had Down syndrome (Trisomy-21). Not only did…
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Team “Follow that Sam” Sam’s team is “Follow that Sam” because he is go, go, go all the time! He keeps us on our toes as our personal exercise program. Thanks to Sam’s friendly nature we have met many new friends and will continue to meet more. Down Syndrome has not slowed him down and we want…
Read MoreGiGi’s 5k & Buddy Walk
Team “Memories of Mia” We walk to honor the memory of 4 month old Mia, daughter of Trista & Paul Vail of Runnells. Sister to Sydney, Cam & Colt. Mia was born in November 2007 and gained her angel wings in April 2008. She was an organ donor. The picture on our team page was taken 1 week…
Read MoreA Family Perspective
At the 3rd Annual GiGi’s Playhouse ‘i have a voice’ Gala in Des Moines John Anderson spoke to everyone in attendance and shared his perspective of having a son with Down syndrome. Please enjoy his speech that was video taped that evening (by an ametuer). If you have photos and videos from the Gala please…
Read MoreMaking Wishes Become Dreams
As I was watching “A Christmas Carol” over the holidays, I thought about our family’s Christmases past, present and future. I remember so clearly the year when my wish was for our daughter, Carly, to learn to walk. She had just turned two that October, and transitioned from her NG tube feedings to regular food.…
Read More‘one million voices’
THANK YOU to Dr. & Mrs. Ed Touney for hosting the ‘i have a voice’ galleries at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge for the month of December! We heard many voices about their experience with viewing and learning more about the ‘one million voices’ Campaign. The ‘i have a voice’ Traveling Galleries are…
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