self advocacy
2024 Dash for Down Syndrome Team Spotlights
Our 3rd annual Dash for Down Syndrome is on April 27th, 2024 at Winnequah Park in Monona. Everyone has their own reasons for participating so we wanted to highlight them for you. To learn more or create your own team, click HERE Scroll down to see all our spotlight teams! Team: DoubL TroubL To donate…
Read MoreGrowing, Learning and Sharing-a National Conference for Down Syndrome Recap
As an organization, we look forward to our National Conference each year because it means we have the opportunity to network with the other incredible Playhouses and national staff, learn by attending important discussions and share our local Madison best practices. Our local Playhouse collaborates with all the Wisconsin Playhouses because we are truly…
Read MoreDown Syndrome Awareness Month- REAL Perspectives from REAL Local Families: Matthew
This year, to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month, we asked a few of our Playhouse families and friends to give their REAL perspective on what it’s like to love someone with Down syndrome. These blogs will be posted in a question and answer format. Earlier this month, we posted about Henry and Adi. Be sure…
Read MoreDown Syndrome Awareness Month- REAL Perspectives from REAL Local Families: Adi
This year, to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month, we asked a few of our Playhouse families and friends to give their REAL perspective on what it’s like to love someone with Down syndrome. These blogs will be posted in a question and answer format. Earlier this month, we posted about Henry, an energetic 2-1/2…
Read MoreAdvocacy and IEP’S
GiGi’s Madison Guest Blog by Playhouse Mom and Board Member Sarah Berndt Here we go… again! Back to school If you’re a parent of a child with Down syndrome, who is approaching school age, you’ve likely heard about the IEP process, and if you heard about it on the Internet… well, the Internet can be…
Read MoreWelcome Board Member- Tim McDonald
Passion and Experience We are fortunate to have growth in our Board of Directors and are thrilled to introduce you to Tim McDonald! Tim is not only a Board Member, he is also a Playhouse Dad. Tim has spent 36 years with the steamfitters union as a superintendent and project manager and is now retired.…
Read MoreWorld Down Syndrome Day- A Day to Showcase How Capable our Community Is
photo credit: Stephanie Ann Schnizlein Guest Blog by Playhouse Mom- Michele Riederer We did not know of Thomas’ diagnosis until after birth but, I can tell you that I spent A LOT of time thinking about what life will look like for him. I thought about how he will get the support and help he…
Read MoreNever Too Young to Live Generation G
Generation G in Action! In December 2021 our Site Director and Advocate Committee co-chair were invited to visit a 4th and 5th grade classroom to share what it means to be Generation G. Our friend Finn and his teacher reached out to us to see if we would be willing and we jumped at the…
Read MoreA Mother’s Perspective- An honest discussion about parenting a differently abled child
One of our Playhouse moms, Jennifer, recently wrote this social media post and we thought it’s an important perspective for everyone to hear about. Guest Blog by Jennifer: Vulnerability alert (and a long post) Being the mom of a differently abled child is exhausting at times. I don’t mean physically exhausting (although there’s…
Read MoreChanging the Way the World Views Down syndrome and Changing One Person’s World
Finn is an 11 year old boy that is full of life, smart, a hard-worker and fast learner. His story has inspired us and we wanted to share with the world. Finn was born with Down syndrome and has a very loving and supportive family. When he was in elementary school he wanted to do…
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