Penny’s Blog
5 1/2 years! Time sure flies when you are having fun!
So many memories…long journey…still a long way to go…day by day. So much unknown but I am loving this GiGi’s journey.
If I had to pick one memory so far from the Playhouse, it would be the memory of our very fist Friday Friends gathering. This is our social program for adults. As the adults began arriving, and most of them for the very fist time, we kept hearing, “This feels like home,” “I feel like I’m in my living room,” and “I feel comfortable.” To me this meant everyone was feeling safe…all armor could be left at the door and there were no labels. Everyone had their own identity. Everyone could be 100% themselves…no worries!
We will have bumps and bruises as we go and grow, but we will hopefully always make everyone who crosses our threshold feel welcome and comfortable to be 100% themselves.
-Penny Wirtjes
Rockford Board Member
Recent Posts
Dear Friends, if you have a loved one with Down syndrome come for a visit to GiGi’s Rockford. The folks here understand that “comfortable” is only the beginning of true Midwest hospitality. It’s no wonder Friday Friends call it home. We drove all the way from Connecticut to meet Paula, Penny, Hal, others. Of course GiGi’s is about Down syndrome. But when we left this remarkable environment two hours later we realized that it was first about family. Big Love! Richard and Marilee Reilly – The Grandparent Connection.