Posts by Cathy Judge

  At GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix, we support parents and caregivers giving our participants the time to become comfortable. It is all part of learning at their own pace. Becoming your “best of all” takes a different route for each of us and it is NOT one size fits all! A great story to illustrate this…

The Power of a Peer Buddy In Honor of National Down Syndrome Day Submitted by Guest Blogger Candace Mangold     Every day my son, Halen, comes home from first grade with a sweet story about his friend, Leeza. “Leeza gave me a high five today! She just laughs and jokes with me all day!”…

Guest Blog submitted by Brett Schatzman GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix Self Advocate   Brett would like you to meet some of his Playhouse friends….. They are so AWESOME!!     Jonathan’s (JC’s) favorite GiGi’s program is LMNOP! JC’s favorite toy/hobby is Baby shark swimming singing and coco melon and of course seeing all his friends at…

Guest Blog submitted by Brett Schatzman GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix Self Advocate   Brett would like you to meet some of his Playhouse friends….. They are so AWESOME!!     Kenzie’s favorite program is LMNOP! Kenzie loves to play with dolls❤️. Kenzie’s favorite food is popcorn (I like popcorn too, especially when watching a movie!). Kenzie’s…

Guest Blog submitted by Brett Schatzman GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix Self Advocate Brett would like you to meet some of his Playhouse friends….. They are so AWESOME!!     Amoure’s favorite program is when there is music! Amoure’s favorite toys are dolls and her favorite hobby is dancing💕.  Her favorite food is pizza (I agree, I…

Guest Blog submitted by Brett Schatzman GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix Self Advocate Brett would like you to meet some of his Playhouse friends….. They are so AWESOME!!     Cora’s favorite GiGi’s program is LMNOP. It has been her favorite since her family found GiGi’s Playhouse when Cora was 4 months old! Cora favorite toy is…

Guest Blog submitted by Brett Schatzman GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix Self Advocate   Brett would like you to meet some of his Playhouse friends….. They are so AWESOME!!     Sloane’ s favorite program at GiGi’s is definitely Open Play! She loves exploring all of the fun toys and meeting new friends at the Playhouse. She…

Submitted by Guest Blogger: Robin Lea Amos GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix Executive Director This spring we moved into a new neighborhood where one of our GiGi’s participants, Brianna lives. It was an added bonus to move where I knew I would have a ready-made friend! Shortly after getting settled, I was then blessed with meeting “Dana”…

Guest Blog submitted by Brett Schatzman GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix Self Advocate   Brett would like you to meet some of his Playhouse friends….. They are so AWESOME!! Sam’s favorite programs are Rock Band and Friday night friends! Sam’s favorite toys are dinosaurs. Sam likes to dance and swim (I like to dance and swim too,…

By Guest Blogger Robin Lea Amos There is a well-known story of a person walking on a beach littered with starfish who sees someone else picking up individual starfish and throwing them back into the ocean. The individual walks up to the starfish thrower and says, “What are you doing? You know you aren’t making…