GiGi’s Playhouse
By Denise Humberstone (UK, mum of 3, blogger at troynize.com)
GiGi’s Playhouse, the only international network of Down Syndrome Achievement Centres, and one we all wish was available at our doorstep: 99% volunteer-run, they provide free, life-changing, therapeutic and educational programmes from prenatal diagnosis all the way to career skills and so much more!
T
riggered by love and fuelled by passion, Nancy Gianni, CNN hero, founder and Chief Belief Officer of GiGi’s Playhouse, started the first Playhouse in 2003, a year after her third child Giuliana (The GiGi) was born with Down syndrome. Eighteen years later, GiGi’s Playhouse has grown into a $14 million nonprofit organisation and an international network with over fifty—three brick-and-mortar locations across the United States and Mexico and 200 startup enquiries in thirty-six countries! “And I’m still just getting warmed up!” says Nancy. Their mission statement: “Changing the way the world sees Down syndrome.” Their motto: “Educate, Inspire, Believe.” The GiGi’s extra chromosome was a big surprise, and
Nancy soon realised the gaping lack of support for people like her daughter and their family. That’s when she decided to take matters into her own mighty hands and create from scratch the hub she wishes had been available to families like hers from day one. Little did Nancy know her project would keep on snowballing! The demand was real, and she committed to meet it, over and over again! The most wonderful aspect about the Playhouses is that all the high-quality, progressive, result-driven programmes they offer for individuals of all ages, their families and carers, are entirely free! Those programmes also tackle pretty much all the challenging areas that people with Down syndrome typically face, be they physical or cognitive. From parents with a prenatal diagnosis who need answers and/or acceptance and/or celebration, or adults who need training in writing a résumé or vocational training, the Playhouses will welcome them with open arms and a big hug.
“And I’m still just getting warmed up!” says Nancy. The GiGi
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