Building character and belonging: Sean’s journey
Discovering a community where your family truly belongs is a rare and invaluable experience! GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse has become a cherished space for the Pak family, celebrating the uniqueness of every child, including their child Sean. Our online accessibility breaks down geographical barriers and creates an inclusive community for him to enjoy.
“GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse have been offering a beautiful space for our family to belong to. It is a community where each and every one of our children are being nurtured and celebrated as who and where they are,” says Kyung Pak, Sean’s dad.
Sean is a frequent participant in our virtual Yoga class every Friday where he has built a relationship with his yoga teacher, Maggie, as well as his peers. Every week they are taught new yoga moves and each participant is encouraged and celebrated for their effort! But this class is so much more than a workout class, as the volunteers take time after each yoga session to support one another.
“I have witnessed Sean’s growth in ‘us together’ rather than just ‘himself/myself.’ For example, at the end of each yoga session, everyone gets an opportunity to send peace to someone or somewhere. I have noticed that Sean’s been choosing someone who might not feel so good at that time to send love and it’s been quite accurate and empathetic!” says Kyung. What an touching example of how a virtual community can change lives. This simple act reflects the values instilled by GiGi’s, fostering compassion in those who attend our programs.
Virtual programs have also been a game-changer for Sean’s family since distance from a physical playhouse can sometimes be a barrier for his family. “Online programs provide a much greater possibility for Sean to join and enjoy the offerings by GiGi’s. The physical Playhouse in San Diego is pretty far from our house and he can’t attend every program due to the distance. Besides, Sean gets to meet friends from all over the country!” says Kyung.
GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse has become a source of inspiration, growth, and connection for the Pak family. Participating in programs like Virtual Yoga and Literacy Tutoring have contributed to Sean’s growth and we are so proud of how hard he works each week to give his Best of All!
Volunteer Spotlight – Jake’s volunteer experience inspired him to take action!
Jake Kingsbury started volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix during his sophomore year in high school helping with group programs. In his junior year in high school, he became a Youth Board member. Jake collaborated with other Youth Board members to provide group activities for the participants, as well as spread GiGi’s Acceptance Challenge to fellow…
The Joy of Story Telling
At the heart of our Virtual Playhouse lies something truly special, the joy of storytelling. We are incredibly fortunate to have a dynamic mother-daughter duo who volunteer with us each month to create a magical Storytime experience for our participants. But what truly stands out is the bond they share, not just as mother and…
DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH — PROVIDING THE RUNWAY FOR ACCEPTANCE!
We’ve all been there before — we walk into a room, and for whatever reason, it feels like all eyes are on us. For most of us, this is a fleeting feeling, but for individuals with Down syndrome, this is a daily reality. Individuals with Down syndrome wear their diagnosis on their face. Because of…
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We like Sean very much! We love to see him when he participates in Fantastic Friends, GiGi’s Kitchen or Music!