Advocacy
Celebrating Occupational Therapy Appreciation Month🌟
April is Occupational Therapy (OT) Appreciation Month, and at GiGi’s Playhouse, we are thrilled to take this opportunity to celebrate the dedicated and passionate occupational therapists who play a vital role in helping our participants reach their full potential. Through their expertise, compassion, and creativity, OTs provide life-changing support that empowers individuals with Down syndrome…
Read MoreStarting the School Year Right: Tips for Advocating for Your Child with Down Syndrome
As the school year kicks off, it’s essential to ensure a positive start for your child with Down syndrome (Ds). As a mom and the Playhouse Operations Manager at GiGi’s Playhouse, I know firsthand the importance of being an active participant in your child’s education. You are a crucial part of their IEP team, and…
Read MoreJoin Us for the “I Have a Voice” Gala: Be a Catalyst for Change!
Mark your calendars for October 11th, 2024, because the most transformative event of the year is almost here! GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh is thrilled to announce our annual Gala, the “i have a voice” Gala, taking place at The Pavilion at Angus Barn from 6 to 11 p.m. This special evening is not just a fundraiser—it’s…
Read MoreA Love Beyond Limits: Matthew Schwab and Lucia Romano’s Inspiring Journey
Love knows no boundaries, and it certainly transcends societal expectations. In a heartwarming story that unfolded at GiGi’s Playhouse’s National Conference in Chicago, two incredible individuals, Matthew Schwab and Lucia Romano, celebrated not only their love for each other but also a profound commitment to advocacy and breaking barriers for the Down syndrome community. Having…
Read More“Your child has Down syndrome” written by Playhouse Mom, Cheryl Byrne
My heart is full as October and Down Syndrome Awareness have come to a close. October was amazing! There is one word I am taking with me…..community. In 2011, holding my newborn, I felt so alone. In 2023, I no longer feel alone! My community is strong….OUR community is connected. Community is a big word…
Read MoreBest of All – Lossie & Thomas
“Good, Better, Best! Never Let It Rest! Until Your Good Is Better, And Your Better Is Best!” Author Unknown While there are a few sources of this quote, I love it and subscribe to it because it is one of the…
Read MoreWe Are One by Cady Driver
We weren’t even looking for him when we found him. We were not in the world of blue and yellow, counting chromosomes, and shouting their worth. We didn’t really know it existed. Nor did we comprehend the tragedy of what the lack of acceptance does to the world’s people. We were neck deep in adoption…
Read MoreTalking all things GiGi’s with Elizabeth a committed participant!
ALL things GiGi’s with Elizabeth H If you are a frequent visitor of GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh then you have probably met Elizabeth Heenan, a 37-year-old woman with Down syndrome who is a very active member of GiGi’s! She has been volunteering and participating at GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh since 2017! We wanted to learn more about…
Read MoreFreely changing lives by giving their time!
The definition of a volunteer is “a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.” Yes, you read that right; FREELY offers to take part in a task. A volunteer gives up their time, energy, and so many other priceless parts of themselves to help a cause. GiGi’s is a 99% Volunteer run organization which means that there are 1,000’s…
Read MoreWhy Community Support Matters <3
When I was 23 years old and fresh out of college, I became a Developmental Therapist. My job entailed going to different daycares and people’s homes in the Raleigh area and helping children, ages birth-3 years old, to meet their developmental milestones. There was so much joy in getting to support parents on their journey of helping their children take first steps, speak for the…
Read More