Posts by Heather Rodriguez
Navigating Adulthood and Down Syndrome | GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse
We are please to have Randi Downs back on the blog today, sharing her parenting tips and the way she so honestly loves her son, who has Down syndrome. Helping him to navigate his adult life. Sometimes the journey and answers are not easy, but who among us has a story that is only filled…
Read MoreGoods of the Gala | GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse Down Syndrome Achievement Center
Some synonyms for the word gala include: celebratory, joyous, festive, merry, entertaining and (my favorite) spectacular. Well, this was our first Gala ever; GiGi’s or otherwise. It most certainly was as magical as it’s synonyms. Can I just say. If you get a chance to leave the kids (well tended to of course) get fancied…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight- Miss Jenny, Celebrations Dance Center
Let’s just start this blog post off with a completely obvious statement…….Syracuse has the best people in it. Ok, now that we have that out of the way let’s focus on one of these amazing people who has become a very special part of the GiGi’s family. Jenny Gentile the owner of Celebrations Dance Center…
Read MoreProgram & Volunteer Spotlight-Sensei Jim Munger (Karate Kickers)
In the middle of December we finished up our first full run of the Karate Kickers program. Man oh man was is AWESOME! We will be starting our next session that will last 12 weeks on February 12th at 4:30pm. We are happy to introduce Sensei Munger to you all, as you read about…
Read MoreVolunteer spotlight – Heather Rodriguez “I am so selfish”
Howdy! Happy to have you here. I have been trying to get these words out of my head for a while. One of the questions I am asked most often when people find out I am Board member and volunteer at GiGi’s Playhouse is “oh that’s so nice, do you have a relative with Down…
Read MoreThe gift of Adoption – GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse
One of the first responses a person has when they hear someone has adopted is “that child is so blessed to find a home”. While this is true we think there is so much more. Add special needs into the adoption story and well you are in for a beautiful labor and delivery. It can…
Read MoreThree Years! GiGi’s Playhouse – Syracuse
Three Years! Three Years!! I can’t tell you how exciting it is to be celebrating our third anniversary! Every year I like to take this time and reflect on where we began and review where we are today as a Playhouse. I am proud of the team we have in place and the hard work…
Read More2015 National GiGi’s Playhouse Conference!
Last week five members from your GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse team traveled to Chicago to join up with the 25 other existing Playhouses and the 10 that are preparing to open their doors in 2016! We are growing! We are Strong! Our voices are one and we are being heard. BUT, there is more to be…
Read MoreWhat’s the deal with labels?
Label – a short word or phrase descriptive of a person, group, intellectual movement, etc. It seems the human race loves labels, unfortunately there are just to many ugly labels out there still. This needs to change. So we have come up with a few handy alternative labels in case you feel the need to put…
Read MoreDear Me. Down Syndrome Awareness Month 2015
One of the many missions of GiGi’s Playhouse is to change the perception of Down syndrome in our communities. Most families you speak to who have a child with Down syndrome will tell you how their lives are better because of this person. How they have learned things they never knew they needed to…
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