Participant Spotlight – Natalie stepping up her game & making it her Best of All

Self-advocacy is such a huge component in learning ones own independence and a skill that needs to be touched on often. Many of our participants are learning the skill of advocacy and shaping it to meet their needs.

Meet Natalie, a strong and passionate GiGi’s participant and also awesome advocate for herself and peers. Natalie has been participating in different GiGi’s Programs such as Fantastic Friends, Friends, Fun and Fitness as well as GiGi’s Kitchen Adult.

Natalie was originally looking for more social opportunities and happened to discover GiGi’s Playhouse through Instagram. Social media—especially Instagram—has become an incredible tool for connecting individuals with Down syndrome, families, and communities to valuable resources and organizations like ours. We’re so glad Natalie came across our page and became part of the GiGi’s Playhouse family!

Natalie is an active participant in several programs at GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego, including Fantastic Friends, Friends, Fun & Fitness, and GiGi’s Kitchen Adult. These programs provide opportunities to build friendships, stay physically active, and develop everyday life skills—areas that can present unique challenges for individuals with Down syndrome. Whether she’s socializing, exercising, or learning to prepare healthy meals, Natalie is gaining independence, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging—all in a fun, encouraging environment.

Since participating in GiGi’s, Natalie has share that she is involved in other self-advocacy arenas through the San Diego Regional Center (advocating for support services), State Council on Developmental Disabilities (learning about state wide advocates) and San Diego People First (learning from peers and presenting advocacy skills to others).

Most recently, Natalie and a few GiGi’s peers had the opportunity to participate in a virtual advocacy skills training through Safety Powers. Natalie and her peers were able to practice different scenario exercises that encouraged healthy and mindful interaction in tough situations. Natalie was such a role model during the trainings, Safety Powers ask if she would like to role play in videos her peers would be able to refer back to.

Natalie who loves acting, jumped at the opportunity and has made a few videos for the website that are in the process of being edited. In this process, Natalie also was presented with the opportunity to share her advocacy skills via a presentation on World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st with the assistance of the Safety Powers facilitators.

We asked Natalie to share a bit more about her experience in her advocacy role through GiGi’s as well as Safety Powers and here is what she offered:

Do you feel Gigi’s Playhouse has helped in your self advocacy roles?

“Yes, I really feel so confident with my self advocacy skills. I’ve been using some new vocabulary words to express myself even more. Including finding ways to ask for help.”

How has working with Safety Powers been?

“I’m really enjoying my job with Work Power because it’s so extremely important to educate young adults with disabilities how to keep their jobs out in the community.”

How did the WDSD Safety Presentation go?

“I really thought that the World Down Syndrome Day presentation went really well because I was the leader, teaching everyone a variety of skills and applying them in real life situations. I’m currently working on a presentation on different skills.”

Through her GiGi’s and Safety Work Power involvement, Natalie was offered a paid position as “Work Power Advisor” with Safety Powers. This position encompasses not only learning more about advocacy skills but assisting others with disabilities including Down syndrome how to become better advocates for themselves.

We are so incredibly proud of Natalie and her Best of All moment in acquiring employment where she can flourish and grow.

With this being said, we asked Natalie to share a bit more about her experience with GiGi’s. Here is what she offered:

What would you like Gigi’s Playhouse to offer?

“I would really like to offer Musical Theater classes / productions, sustainability classes, How to prepare healthier meals on the go training series.”

We couldn’t agree more, and we’re always exploring new ways to expand our programs based on community interest and need. Making ideas like these a reality takes creativity, collaboration, and continued support. Every bit of encouragement—whether through volunteering, spreading the word, or helping sustain our programs—makes a real difference.

Anything else you would like to share?

“These adult programs are so much fun and super inclusive.”

We absolutely love that our participants feel this and always encourage them to share feedback so that we can improve and make these experiences their own Best of Alls!