Posts by Heather Rodriguez
Love, always.
We are excited to welcome Beth back to the Blog! Each month in 2023, we will focus on a theme, and as I am sure you can imagine, February is Love! If love is patient and it is kind, then it must also be it’s opposite. We are the sum of our light and dark…
Read MoreGratitude, in the Hard
Gratitude is not the absence of hard. It is treating troubles as a blip and actively seeking out the good in your life. When you do this, you train your brain to seek out more. Gratitude is a choice, and life with Judah makes it an easy one.
Read MoreGrowth, Connections and Awards – GiGi’s Leadership Conference 2021
Every November, The GiGi’s Playhouse National Office dedicates 5 days of training and development for the network of playhouses and startups at the Leadership Conference. GiGi’s Playhouse was once again thrilled to join (safely) with close to 300 believers from around the country! GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse was represented by the Board of Managers President, Vice…
Read More2021 Calendars are HERE! Acceptance all year!
2021 Calendar: Stories of Acceptance GiGi’s Playhouse produces quality, professional calendars year after year impacting our communities and raising acceptance for individuals with Down syndrome. As with all communications, we want the calendar to share the mission & WHY of GiGi’s Playhouse, which is to change the way the world views Down syndrome and send a global message of…
Read MoreDown Syndrome Awareness. It’s Not Enough.
October 1st began Down syndrome Awareness Month but awareness is not nearly enough. Awareness is simply acknowledging an existence, a challenge, etc. Human beings are so much more than existence or a challenge. Let’s turn our awareness to acceptance! Acceptance is an ACTION and a commitment to extending consistent value, approval, and empowerment. …
Read More3 Common Down Syndrome Myths & The Facts
Happy Down Syndrome Awareness (or as we like to call it) Acceptance Month! We thought this would be a great time to talk about some common myths about Down syndrome. Some that we may or may not have thought were true before entering our own unique journey. Myth 1: Down syndrome is hereditary.…
Read MoreJared | No Stereotypes Needed.
Jared is a man who defies all stereotypes of what it means to be an adult with Down syndrome. An independent and creative guy, Jared lives in his own apartment, where he writes country-rock music and daydreams of starting his own business. The name he would give it is, “Look Up, Not Down.” “Sometimes,” he…
Read MoreDown Syndrome at its Finest | The GiGi’s Family
Let me tell you about my friends at GiGi’s Playhouse. They are a nonprofit organization that offers free programming to people with Down syndrome and their families. Their programs are therapeutic and educational in nature and geared towards the success of individuals with Down syndrome and acceptance for all. They sound great right? Well now…
Read MoreCOVID-19 Update from GiGi’s Syracuse
Hello, GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse Community, Based on the latest information and guidance from our national office and public health officials, we have decided to suspend all programming, events and volunteer orientations at GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse until further notice. We are not aware of any individuals connected to the Playhouse who have had exposure to COVID-19 and we…
Read MoreAcceptance starts with a smile and a Hi!
Dear My fellow Moms and Dads, I believe that we all want the same thing when it comes to our precious children. Whether we breastfeed or bottle-feed, home school, put them on that scary yellow bus, or wave goodbye from the carpool lane. Whether we work or we don’t, give time outs or not,…
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