GiGis is a place of acceptance, warmth, love and encouragement.
1) What does GiGis mean to you? GiGis is a place of acceptance, warmth, love and encouragement. 2) What brought you to GiGis? I made a New Year's Resolution to give back more. Upon looking for ways to give to the community, I came across a Facebook discussion about...
Potty Training
Check out the link below with a thorough explanation of tips/tricks you can use for potty training. https://www.reifpsychservices.com/potty-training-down-syndrome/ Rose Reif is a private practice counselor based in Cary, North Carolina. She offers in-home counseling to kids, adults, and families affected by disabilities.Rose is passionate about helping people with disabilities and...
I.N.S.P.I.R.E.D
Inspired. Isn’t this the way it always happens? You volunteer for a job thinking you are helping but in the end you are the one left inspired and blessed more by the experience. Why do I always forget that when my heart is pulled to get involved but my...
not unlike a caterpillar becoming a butterfly
Volunteering at GiGi's Playhouse has been a godsend to me. Each and every time, I witness what I would call a small miracle of some sort. For an individual child or adult, the sum total of these small miracles results in a true metamorphosis, not unlike a caterpillar becoming a...
GiGi’s is so rewarding and more importantly fun!
GiGi's Playhouse is a place where everyone is welcome and everyone is accepted. I knew my life needed something special and GiGi's was exactly what I needed. I am a Preschool Director and have really missed teaching. LMNOP gives me the opportunity to be a teacher again and make a...
Literacy tutoring at GiGis
Since starting the literacy program at GiGi's, Scott's interest in reading has definitely sparked again. I was thrilled and amazed to see him take one of his library books and get on the sofa to begin reading aloud to himself. Simply for the pleasure of reading with no prompting from...
What does GiGis mean to me, Joy!
When asked “What does being a volunteer at GiGi’s Playhouse mean to me?” my response has to be “Joy”. If I were to create a visual representation of this, it would be a photo collage. Framed in the middle would be an image of a toddler laughing as she participates...
Music is indeed FUNdamental!
The sheer joy on the faces of each Kindermusik kid reflects the joy I feel in my heart every time I share music with my GiGi’s families. One of my Favorite songs is Magic Moments, and that aptly describes what happens when I, Mom, Nana or loving caregiver connect with...
The GiGi’s community is a family of love and support
When we received a prenatal diagnosis that Dylan would have Down syndrome we were scared and had no clue where to start for support outside of our medical network. We lived in Minneapolis at the time and had received a "Welcome Basket" when Dylan was born, which provided a brochure...
A warm feeling when I walk through the doors of GiGi’s
When I think of GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh an emotional reaction comes over me that is difficult to put into words. A warm feeling spreads through me because I know when I walk through the doors of the Playhouse inclusion and love is always present. I will be accepted for me:...
To the Doctors Who Supported Us After My Son’s Down Syndrome Diagnosis
Dr. Stamilio, Dr. Urrutia and Dr. McPherson, You may not remember me. I might be just another pregnant mother in a sea of patients you care for regularly. But I remember the three of you. Dr. Stamilio, I remember your kind and gentle voice when you told me that my...
What GiGi’s Playhouse Has Meant to Us
A cold, snowy January morning brought news that our baby, that little life growing inside, was going to have Down syndrome and that changed everything. We never doubted what to do, and never considered ‘other options.’ We knew, though, that a support system was absolutely essential for when little Miss...