My Look How You’ve Grown – Shep’s Journey through GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego

In 2023, we introduced you to Shep, a GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego participant whose determination and joyful energy left a lasting impression on our community. Today, we’re excited to revisit his journey and share the incredible growth, milestones, and moments of pride that have unfolded since then. From new challenges conquered to the friendships and confidence he continues to build, Shep reminds us that progress is not just measured in steps, it’s measured in heart.

Join us as we catch up with one of our standout participants, Shep, and his Mom Laura, and celebrate how far he’s come!

“We found out about GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego right before it was going to open (2018) and have been here ever since! He has participated in Donut runs, reading tutoring, destination discovery, LMNOP, Playhouse pals, and of course MUSIC! He can’t wait to join Fantastic Friends someday. He got his first ‘school pictures’ done at GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego at a volunteer photo shoot (2020). His bonus brother (and his brother) made a cabinet for GiGi’s as an Eagle project (2021). He has been a GiGi’s kid his entire life pretty much! 

To this day Music Makers with Alison is his favorite program. Though reading tutoring with Jeri & Leslie is a close second! 

We are so grateful to you and your team Ms Rissa.” ~ Laura, Shep’s mom

We love hearing stories from families sharing the growth of their loved ones with some tender loving care from GiGi’s and the variety of programs offered through life. Shep and his family have been with GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego since the beginning in 2018.

Since this time we have seen Shep flourish, as highlighted in a 2023 blog here: https://gigisplayhouse.org/sandiego/sheps-steps-to-best-of-all/

Now flash forward to 2025 and Shep has continued to go strong with Literacy Tutoring, Music Maker Kids and Playhouse Pals (when time allows) and this is just at GiGi’s Playhouse. Outside of GiGi’s Shep is quite the busy little man but seems to have more confidence and stride with all tools he has had the opportunity to receive due to the amazing advocate of parents.

We asked his parents to share some highlights of growth they’ve seen in Shep and here is what Shep’s Mom Laura had to say upon reflecting on his growth since finding GiGi’s Playhouse:

“Some of Shep’s biggest growth areas:

Music – We still don’t have him in official lessons, but he can pick out keys by ear (find a G on a key boards and walk his fingers up until he finds another G) and his drumming/rhythm is improving! Shep loves attending Music Maker Kids with Miss Alison which is generally held on the second Saturday of the month.

PT – For a kid that we were once warned “he may not walk” he is jumping, dancing, and running. Donut Run Dashes, music dances, and of course Halloween Bashes have added to his growth. 

Reading – This is our biggest growth. Shep now knows 40+ site words, is reading AAA books with small sentences (Mat sat by cat.) and is learning blending words (fat, cat, sat, hat…). So grateful for Jeri & Leslie (with mini sessions with with Stefanie and Lucy). 

GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego provides many hours of Literacy Tutoring and Math Tutoring each year, in-person and virtually and as you can see from Shep’s progress, this 1-on-1 environment is extremely beneficial to individuals with Down syndrome to fill some of the gaps left by traditional education and give them the dedicated support they need to thrive..

Socialization- GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego has helped Shep be more comfortable in crowds (even with sensory issues) and meeting new people. We used to make it through about 15 minutes of events and now he begs for ‘one more trip through the haunted hallway’ “. 

This year GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego orchestrated a Haunted Hall Walk during our annual Fall Fun Fest with the assistance of UCSD AOI group and we have to say and as you heard above, it was a hit. It included mild sensory engagements: spooky sounds, lights and of course candy.

We absolutely love seeing our families grow and our participants blossom with the supports offered at GiGi’s Playhouse. We look forward to sharing more of Shep’s growth in the coming years looking towards programs such as Teen Tastic, Music Makers Teens and GiGi’s Kitchen Teen.

If you have a child interested in joining any of our programs, be sure to check out our monthly calendar and register today!