Magical Moments at GiGi’s Playhouse: As Told By Families
Magical Moments at GiGi’s Playhouse: As Told By INTERNATIONAL Playhouse Families
All Playhouses experience “magical moments” where children and adults with Down syndrome learn or improve various skills, grow their self-confidence, realize new achievements, and fulfill their dreams. All of our Playhouses and the programs that lead to magical moments are made possible by the generosity of donations. If you’re still considering whether to attend the 2014 GiGi’s Playhouse “i have a Voice” Chicagoland gala on March 1st, please take a moment to read the story below from our first international Playhouse in Mexico. If you’re inspired by Maria’s achievements and if you believe that you can affect more lives and create more magical moments, please join us at the gala. Thank you for reading, and thank you for caring.
Maria
A story from the Queretaro, Mexico Playhouse
María is a beautiful 15 year old girl, and her mother Martha is a Board member at GiGi’s Playhouse in Mexico. She decided to be a Board member because she was determined to help her daughter in every way she could. María had problems with her social skills and had very limited language. That made it hard for her to communicate with others and to spend time with people. Martha used to have a hard time convincing Maria to leave her house.
Since the Playhouse opened, María loves to go there and be with her friends. She looks so happy when she’s at the Playhouse! She attends the Literacy Program where she’s working hard to learn to read. She never misses going to Friday Friends with the karaoke and dancing. She also likes the Handicraft program. She used to shout whenever something didn’t go just quite the way she expected, but now she knows she has to make an effort to communicate with others in a different way. Maria is improving her social skills and now interacts better with people.
Martha has seen the change in her daughter, and many others have seen it too. María had her “quinceañera” party recently. Many guests who had not seen her for a while were so happily surprised to see the change. She invited all her GiGi’s Playhouse friends and all had so much fun! She was really happy and her mom was so proud of her! She danced the waltz with her chaperon Daniel who also has Ds, and they did a great job!
To support Maria by securing tickets or tables for the 2014 “i have a Voice” Chicagoland Gala: please click here.