Posts by jmeyers

“That is your legacy on this Earth when you leave this Earth: how many hearts you touched.” —Patti Davis Friday, we wish Julia Meyers a fond farewell as she moves on to her new venture. We are so thankful for Julia’s amazing dedication to our families, participants, volunteers and GiGi’s Playhouse. Julia’s contributions leave a…

Over the course of the 2018-2019 school year my daughter, Nora, at the time a 13-year-old with Down Syndrome and recently diagnosed with Autism, found herself having behavioral “problems” according to her school. Like most families when the school staff informs you of something you think they are the experts and are doing everything in…

This is Zoe. She is 8 years old and a dancer, a singer, a swimmer and she can read in part because of GiGi’s Playhouse. Zoe and her family have been a part of GiGi’s Playhouse Madison since it opened attending many of the free programs offered like play groups, therapy and tutoring. Zoe has…

Did you know that at GiGi’s Playhouse Madison we offer FREE one-on-one literacy and math tutor programs? Those programs are especially designed for individuals with Down syndrome and are intended for individuals ages 4 and up. Each individual learns to read and develop literacy skills at a different pace. The GiGi’s one-on-one Literacy Program builds…

Thank you to all that helped make our 2019 Gala an amazing success! One of the highlights of the evening was our very own Sadler Bell up on stage with Anita Mckinley entertaining the crowd and growing the “Fund the Need” portion of the evening!  Sadler you were awesome! There was so much generosity across…

We had an incredible and successful night at the gala! Some of our amazing participants and volunteers were incredible speakers, Piano Fondue Dueling Pianos was so fun, bidding on the silent auction was intense , fund the need was astounding, Meghan Reistad was the perfect emcee, our volunteers worked so hard and Lake Windsor Country…

In celebration of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, the adult SMART group was involved in various activities, including the watching of a related video (“More Alike Than Different”), listening to the reading of an article entitled “Down Syndrome Awareness Month & What It Means To Me,” and the discussion about a poem found on Pinterest. The…

At a recent group meeting of the SMART adult program, we entertained the theme of Critical Thinking: Cause/Effect. There were activities, and even snack preparation, addressing “what would happen if…” situations. One of the SMART participants really enjoys talking, some times to the exclusive of others in the conversation. The volunteers and other participants in…

October is Down syndrome Awareness Month GiGi’s “i have a Voice” Gala raises funds for free, purposeful programs for individuals with Down syndrome Madison, WI – October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. During October, we celebrate people with Down syndrome and shine a light on the abilities and dreams of those with Down syndrome. During…