{"id":142495,"date":"2026-05-07T16:24:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T21:24:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/?p=142495"},"modified":"2026-05-07T16:29:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T21:29:54","slug":"walk-run-belong-supporting-families-like-kcs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/uncategorized\/walk-run-belong-supporting-families-like-kcs","title":{"rendered":"Walk, Run, Belong: Supporting Families Like KC\u2019s"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For the past 10 years, GiGi\u2019s Playhouse has been a second home for the Dallmeyer family. Their son KC and his twin sister Catherine first entered our doors at just 6 weeks old, during a time filled with uncertainty, exhaustion, and overwhelming emotions following KC\u2019s surprise diagnosis of Down syndrome. Colleen, KC’s mom, said:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cWe were managing doctor appointments, therapy visits, and trying to navigate this new world,\u201d KC\u2019s mom shared. \u201cI remember feeling nervous walking through the doors of GiGi\u2019s Playhouse for the first time, not knowing what to expect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What they found instead was a community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFamilies were laughing, smiling, and connecting with each other. From that very first visit, we learned about all the wonderful programs GiGi\u2019s offers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the years, KC has participated in programs like LMNOP and speech therapy through the generous support of the Amina Grace Foundation. His sisters, Catherine and Addy, have also built lifelong friendships through the Playhouse community. From parties and programs to gelato trips at Hugs & Mugs, GiGi\u2019s has become woven into their family\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve seen such growth in KC because of GiGi\u2019s Playhouse,\u201d they shared. \u201cEven in 2026, we still have to fight for equality, fairness, and respect for individuals with Down syndrome. GiGi\u2019s Playhouse and GiGi Gianni are powerful advocates for our community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Dallmeyer family is also the epitome of what it means to build a community. Over the years, they have continuously given back to GiGi\u2019s Playhouse by donating items from our wish lists, lending helping hands whenever needed, and spreading the word about the incredible impact GiGi\u2019s has on families. Their kindness, generosity, and advocacy help make our Playhouse stronger for everyone who walks through our doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every program at GiGi\u2019s Playhouse is offered completely free to families, but they are only possible because of the generosity of supporters like you.

“These programs are free for families but they are not possible without the generosity of you, the people who care, who volunteer time and money to make this such a great place for families like ours.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you participate in our GiGi\u2019s 5K in June \u2014 whether by walking, running, fundraising, volunteering, or donating \u2014 you help families like KC\u2019s continue to receive life-changing support, acceptance, and community.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Become part of our community and join us at GiGi’s 5K on June 6th! https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.donordrive.com\/events\/578<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For the past 10 years, GiGi\u2019s Playhouse has been a second home for the Dallmeyer family. Their son KC and his twin sister Catherine first entered our doors at just 6 weeks old, during a time filled with uncertainty, exhaustion, and overwhelming emotions following KC\u2019s surprise diagnosis of Down syndrome. Colleen, KC’s mom, said: \u201cWe…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":129,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wpo365_audiences":[],"wpo365_private":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-142495","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142495","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/129"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=142495"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142495\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=142495"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=142495"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=142495"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}