Participant Spotlight: From Kicks to Confidence: Carmen’s Journey with Karate Kickers

Carmen’s social spirit shines brightly during her participation at GiGi’s San Diego programs, where she gets to bond with her friends, showcasing her natural love for companionship. 🥳 Recently, her confidence has soared through the Karate Kickers program, where, with the guidance of Sensei Amanda and her friend Joey, she has rediscovered her passion for martial arts. 🥋✨

Karate Kickers is a transformative program at GiGi’s Playhouse that empowers individuals with Down syndrome to develop essential motor and life skills through the foundational movements of karate and martial arts.

By focusing on balance, coordination, and discipline, participants enhance their physical abilities while also strengthening focus, attention, and confidence. The program’s engaging and supportive environment encourages wellness and personal growth, helping participants like Carmen discover their potential and celebrate their achievements. Karate Kickers not only builds strong bodies but also fosters a sense of pride, resilience, and accomplishment in every class.

The friendships she has cultivated along this journey have been invaluable. 🤝 These connections have transformed her time at GiGi’s into a tapestry of shared experiences, laughter, and support.

We asked Carmen’s mom the following questions to find out about her journey. 🌈

1. How long has Carmen been participating at GiGi’s Playhouse?

We have been participating at Gigi’s Playhouse since it opened in 2018. We first started with the music therapy program and absolutely loved it. It was the first time we had learned about music therapy and its benefits.

2. What are some of Carmen’s favorite programs? Why?

Carmen’s favorite program has been the summer social gathering because she loves spending time with her friends at GiGi’s. She is a social butterfly and always has been, so she has currently enjoyed attending Playhouse Pals as well as the Halloween festivities.

3. How have you seen Carmen excelling at GiGi’s?

Currently Carmen has excelled at Karate Kickers. She had tried this program when she was younger but was not interested. She has now attended two classes this year and has learned a lot from Sensei Amanda and her good friend Joey.

4. What do you like the most about GiGi’s?

The friendships that Carmen and I have formed over the years is why we continue to attend a lot of the programs and fundraisers at GiGi’s.

5. What are Carmen’s favorite hobbies?

Carmen loves swimming, gymnastics, and water coloring on canvas.

6. What is an interesting bit about you and your family that few people know?

Our family loves road tripping. We completed a cross-country trip to Florida in May to see Carmen’s cousin graduate from high school. We enjoyed swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, visiting The Alamo and the San Antonio River, The Mississippi River, New Orleans, El Paso, New Mexico, and Arizona. We also love to go tent camping and have done so in Montana. Utah, Boulevard, CA, and in our own backyard!

7. Anything else that you would like us to share with other GiGi’s families?

We look forward to new experiences here at Gigi’s as Carmen gets older. We love seeing the older adults at Gigi’s doing the exercise and cooking classes.

For more information about our Karate Kickers program, please go to our website and register: https://gigisplayhouse.org/sandiego/sfcalendar/.

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