October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month! Today we are celebrating our friend Anna!
Our favorite memory of GiGi’s occurred in the summer of 2014. One of my Facebook Mommies traveled from Texas to Chicago with her husband and daughter Kennedy. This picture was of Anna and Kennedy meeting each other for the first time. They were both almost 2 years old. -Angela, Anna’s...
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month! Today we are celebrating our friend Christian!
Christian was born October 9, 2013 around 6pm. The following morning my OB told me he showed signs of Down syndrome and my heart sank. I was lost, confused, a deer caught in headlights. I had never met anyone with Down syndrome and my world was shattered. Very shortly I...
October is Down syndrome Awareness Month! Today we are celebrating our friend Gigi!
Our favorite memory was when Gigi had her first ever volunteer opportunity with Gigi's Playhouse at the 2015 Inspirational Walk! -Celine, Gigi’s Mom
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month! Today we are celebrating our friend Luke!
My favorite memory of GiGi's is watching Luke walk in the front door for the first time. The teacher in me wanted a physical space to go to, for our families to go to, that we could call our own. I wanted a safe, warm and comforting space to gain...
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month! Today we are celebrating our friend Tim!
Our favorite memory of GiGi's Playhouse was when Tim walked the Whole Mile at the “Get Moving with GiGi's” 1 Mile Inspirational Walk, and then danced afterward! -Nancy, Tim’s mom
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month! Today we are celebrating our friend Remy!
My favorite memory of GiGi’s was the Christmas Party when Remy was just a few months old. It was his first time seeing Santa. I remember Santa holding him tight in one arm while his 2 year old sister was on Santa’s other side. Remy’s sister told Santa to bring...
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month! Today we are celebrating our friend Hope!
About 2 weeks after receiving a pre-diagnosis that Hope was going to have Down syndrome, there was a special on the Nightly News about GiGi's Playhouse. Being as I was devastated, confused, hurt, alone, etc., this report couldn't have come at a better time. My husband and I immediately started...
Welcome to Our NEW Intern, Elizabeth Noreen!
Hi! My name is Elizabeth Noreen. I just recently started interning with GiGi’s Playhouse of Tinley Park, Illinois about 3 weeks ago. It has always been my dream to work with children since I was 7 years old. Eighteen years ago, I was diagnosed with a rare form of bone...
2nd Annual “Get Moving With GiGi’s” Walk
We will be holding our annual “Get Moving with GiGi’s” Walk on Sunday, September 20, 2015 at Central Park (15601 Central Avenue) in Oak Forest. On-site registration will be held from 11:30am-12:30pm. There will be a Kids Dash at 12:30pm and the 1 mile walk begins at 1:15pm. Participants are...
Welcome to Our New Site Coordinator!!!!!
Beth Kazmierczak has had a personal connection with GiGi's Playhouse Tinley Park for the last year. Her daughter Nora was born in July of 2014 with an at-birth diagnosis of both Down Syndrome and Symbrachydactyly (right hand anomaly). Beth and her husband Jim were fortunate enough to have Dr. Ranae...
Heard at the Playhouse
One December 5, 2013, I found out my daughter Hope was going to be born with Down syndrome. At the end of December, I saw a special about GiGi’s Playhouse on the news. At the time I was completely distraught, lost, confused and alone. While watching the special I immediately...
Our Playhouse Featured on “Discover Tinley”
Thank you to the Village of Tinley Park for making our Playhouse feel so welcome in the community!!! Board President Lisa Callaghan and Site Coordinator Diane Husar recently had the opportunity to share what GiGi's Playhouse is all about. Check them out (starting at 15:29). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIZ40nAiCsc