Participant Spotlight: Exploring is everything, you just have to be open to it – Meet Sam

Have you ever went on vacation and thought, what am I going to do? We are sure many folks have including our participants. With a little bit of research, we are sure a GiGi’s a somewhere near by.

Sam and his family often vacation out of state and are active in the Down syndrome community as well in the disability community wherever they go. So naturally when they came to San Diego, with a bit of research, GiGi’s Playhouse was a stop not to be missed. They are hoping in the state in which they live one will open as the nearest GiGi’s Playhouse is in the newest location, Portland which is a bit far for the family.

As mentioned above Sam and his family are very active in their communities and exploring everything that is offered even if it meant taking that plunge and meeting new people. That first step can sometimes be hard but Sam was up for the challenge. Site Manager, Rissa was there to greet and welcome Sam and his mother into the Playhouse the first time. She shared a few programs Sam might take interest in. Sam a bit shy, listen very carefully and absorbed all the information to further explore later and just like that, Sam’s GiGi’s journey of the new began.

We asked Sam to share some of his exploration incites and here is what he had to say:

“I found out about GiGi’s at a Down syndrome conference in Arizona. But we don’t have a GiGi’s close to my house so I forget about it. When we came to San Diego my mom got an ad on her computer about GiGi’s. She looked to see where it was and it was close to where we live so we went to check it out. We met Rissa and she told us about all the fun things at GiGi’s. I got very excited.

My favorite things about GiGi’s is that I get to hang out with my new friends. I like to hang out with friends and it lets me be away from my parents and be independent. I like that we all have Down syndrome. I like Clark because he’s a nice guy.

Cooking class is my favorite activity so far. I like to cook and I cook for my family on Saturdays. I like the recipe we made in class because it was chicken and pasta. I like karaoke because I like singing a lot. It was fun on a Friday night. I wish to do it again. I like all the leads because they are very nice people. I like all the activities I do. So nothing to improve on for me.

I love coming to San Diego in the winter and making good new friends and making good choices. In Washington I work at Home Depot for almost 9 years. I volunteer for the police department and Habitat for Humanity.

I like to dance and I do Special Olympics for swimming and basketball. My favorite exercise is running.

In San Diego, I like Sea World, the zoo, swimming at the Plunge, eating at Cheesecake Factory, and the organ concerts every Sunday in Balboa Park.“

We love that Sam found GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego and gladly welcome him back when he returns. Sometimes you just have to put yourself out there and see the amazing things that will follow, just ask Sam. He now has more lifelong friends in the GiGi’s family and so many more stories to add to his collection.

If you would like to be a part of GiGi’s Playhouse, be sure to check out our website, follow us on social media or email us at sandiego@gigisplayhouse.org We can’t wait to meet you!