Posts by Paula Capone

I found this blog by David Aldridge to very encouraging and filled with hope. I think you will too! James’ dad writes to moms of unborn babies who are diagnosed with Down Syndrome Written by R. David Aldridge If you just found out that not only are you pregnant, but that it is very likely…

We have many families that are starting the potty training process and we thought this might be a helpful piece of information. Click on the link below. Potty training and Down syndrome

I’ve been part of Rockford, Illinois’ GiGi’s Playhouse board before it was even a board.  Six years ago we were a group of parents, grandparents, and community members sitting around a table who all had one thing in common–a desire to help a loved one with Down syndrome. Looking back, it seems much longer than…

Our GiGi U program has been running strong for one year. Erin Hickman, our GiGi U Coordinator, has been working hard to insure that our students are growing and getting ready for the “real” world. Enjoy a writing from one of our GiGi U students, Dylan. “My name is Dylan Miller.  I have been in…

“i have a Voice” Gala-March 18, 2017 With the launch of #generationG on 3/21.16 (World Down Syndrome Day) by our national office, we embarked on a campaign which helped us communicate better what our mission at GiGi’s is all about. It is more than a campaign, it is a mindset. Our goal is to encourage…

This is about Gerry, who had Math and Literacy tutoring sessions back to back at the Playhouse. This is what Gerry’s mom wrote on the tutoring evaluation forms. Gerry has improved enormously in this tutoring session!  He can count independently up to 40.  His recognition of the numbers 1-20 is nearly perfect.  Concrete understanding of…

Speaking from personal experience, I can say it is a great  to host an international exchange student. I have had five students live with my family from any where from 4 months to 1.5 years. You learn so much from having them living in your home. I never new that I would have life long…

Last weekend was our Playhouse’s magical gala. This gala is a representation of what a community is all about. First, let me give you the definition of what community means: a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common; a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result…

I love to visit schools to present to them the opportunity to open their hearts and minds and fall in love with GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford. This past November, i was invited to speak at one our participant’s, Khali, school. It is a grade school for 4th and 5th graders. I planned on presenting my power…

Here is a letter we received at our Playhouse this past week. We love it when our parents tell us how our programs our affecting their child’s progress at school.  With the help of GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford and their tutors (Sel and Shannon), Cayden made high honor roll at school (Willobrook Middle School). He has made some great achievements, such as:…