Nancy Gianni

Where it all began…. My name is Nancy Gianni. I have three kids, Franco 9, Bella 5, and Giluliana (GiGi) 3, who happens to have Down syndrome. She is in pre school, she is potty trained, she loves gymnastics, dancing, boating, four wheeling and hanging with her friends.

20 minutes after GiGi was born the doctors came into my room and told us she had Down syndrome. I can not even begin to tell you the total fear and devastation I felt. Everything they were telling me about Down syndrome was so negative! No one had eye contact with me anymore and they even sent in the clergy. Suddenly, I went form being the cool fun mom to one of "those" moms.

I was so afraid to bring her home and start this "new" life. Yet when we got home and got back into a routine I realized that she was more like my other 2 kids than she was different! That is when I decide to open GiGi's Playhouse and show the world the tremendous potential that children with Down syndrome have to offer. So with my husband, Paul, at my side we went out to recruit board members and raise some money!

I have to say having GiGi was like a true love story. It started out with fear and devastation and ended with a love like I have never known. Without living it I would have never understood that. I think that is why 90% of women carrying a child with Down syndrome terminate the pregnancy. It is that ignorance and total fear. I am just glad that GiGi's Playhouse has turned into a place where they can see the other side and make an educated decision.

This is just a small part of what GiGi's Playhouse does. GiGi's Playhouse opened in Hoffman Estates, IL. in October 2003 and our second location in Plainfield opened in April 2005. We serve thousands of families and offer programs for infants through adulthood and raise awareness about Down syndrome to our communities and across the country. We recently started an incredible literacy program that offers free tutoring to kids with DS!

Well, I could go on forever but I will stop! I would just like to thank you for visiting our website and for seeing the tremendous potential that individuals with Down syndrome have to offer!!

Please send me an email if you have any questions or suggestions!!

Thank you
Nancy Gianni

Kathy Kotel

My name is Kathy Kotel and I have three beautiful children, Blake, Talia, and Karlie. When my husband, Tom, and I found out our daughter Talia was born with Down syndrome and congenital heart defects, we were lost and did not know who to turn to for help, guidance,or simple words of encouragement. Little did we know how blessed we were.

Remembering those feelings and knowing the immense joy and unconditional love that is to be found being the parents of a child with Down syndrome, I found it imperative to jump on board after meeting Nancy Gianni and hearing about her idea to open a "playhouse" for individuals with Down syndrome. Since then I have been on the board and involved with the playhouse in numerous ways from finance and communication to activity planning and stuffing envelopes. Meeting new families, spreading awareness and knowing we are making a difference in our children's lives has been a wonderful gift which I am grateful.

Gaye Lenihan

My name is Gaye Lenihan, I worked for many years in radio and sports marketing before I became a mom to 3 boys Jack (9), William (7) and Sam (4). When I gave birth to Sam my life took a radical change. People looked at us as if we had drawn the short straw or been dealt a tough card. I quickly learned a big secret. I had actually won the lottery. Who wouldn't choose to have someone in their life who wakes up everyday with a smile, has a hug just when you need it, has the ability to stop people in their tracks and put a smile on their face, takes the time to appreciate the wrapping paper before he opens the present, jumps for joy when a letter is addressed to him and loves nothing better than to spend the day surrounded by his friends and family. Sam is all these things and more. GiGi's Playhouse is a magnet for families like ours that have learned the secret. I hope you'll join us in empowering others to hold their heads high. There's power in numbers and the Down syndrome community is becoming stronger and prouder each day thanks to GiGi's Playhouse. Come learn what we already know.

Laura Kancler May

Laura Kancler May graduated from Concordia University, River Forest, IL with a degree in psychology. She worked for school district 102 with Inclusion Facilitators and for the Director of Student Services as the Inclusion Paraeducator Specialist. She coached cheerleading for 9 years. She enjoys being able to spend the formative years at home with her 2 sons, Jason (born in '01) and Brian (born in '03 with Down syndrome). She is the secretary and volunteer coordinator for GiGi's Playhouse.

Sharon Langland

My name is Sharon Langland and I have a beautiful daughter with Down syndrome her name is Kylie and she'll be 3 in March. I've been involved with the Playhouse since Kylie was 7 months old. I host the 2 & Under Playgroup and create the Monthly Calendar. I'm so proud of how the Playhouse has grown and the positive Awareness that has been spread throughout the community. I'm so grateful for GiGi's Playhouse, I couldn't imagine where my family and I would be without it.

Sharon Langland

Roberta Costion

I have been apart of GiGi's Playhouse since the beginning and have never been prouder to be apart of something in my life. I help coordinate activities and I run Friday Friends which is an adult group that meets once a month on Friday. These adults have taught me more about life in the last two years then anything else I have experienced, they are apart of me and something I will cherish for the rest of my life. When I look at my son Jack I know he will always have a place and a future as long as their are people and places like GiGi's Playhouse.

Heidi Aldama

This first part was written when Veronica was 1 year old…

When I found out that I had a child with DS I was devastated. The moment I found out I wanted to jump off the hospital bed and go running and never come back. Now, whenever I go running, Veronica is my inspiration. I think of her and how I need to stay healthy so I will be around to see her experience what the world has to offer and, more importantly, what she has to offer the world. Thinking back to before she was born I realized that I was searching for something, I wasn't sure what it was, but there was something missing in my life. I already had a beautiful son and a loving husband but I didn't feel complete. Then Veronica came along and changed all that. She helped me find that certain something that was missing in my life - she helped find myself again. I've become a true believer in that all things happen for a reason. Although I still sometimes ask why this happened to me and I may never truly know, but one thing I do know is that having her has made my life more complete.

My husband says I look happier since we've had her. I'm wearing colors again (I used to wear a lot of black) and I'm back to practicing yoga on a regular basis. I would have never thought that I'd be happiest when I'm with a child who has DS but I actually hate being without her. I feel safe when I have her close to me. Her smile melts my heart and brightens any room she enters.

Whenever I tell someone about Veronica and how having her changed my life, from becoming certified to teach special needs yoga, and becoming an active volunteer at GiGi's Playhouse, they are amazed at what they are hearing and all I can say is - "I have to, it's for my daughter"

The story continues…

Now that Veronica is 2 years old she has changed in so many more ways. She is a walking, (almost running) talking (starting to, anyway) machine. She is potty training and getting ready to go to underwear on a full time basis. I was told not to even think about potty training her until a couple years from now. Those that told me that don't know Veronica. She is a strong willed little princess. Her mantra for life is "On my own terms." She is excelling in all her therapies, learning to read, thanks to the Literacy program offered at the Playhouse and has a lot of friends (her two best friends are GiGi and Kylie). She has already "graduated" from a preschool class at her therapy center to a classroom that is more challenging for her.

What is truly amazing is how much closer we have become as a family. Her brother Jake, who is 4, is her idol, she loves to be around him and he is always helping her and showing her new things. I know Jake will be a better person for having Veronica in his life. It warms my heart when I walk into the living room and see the two kids sitting at their play table and having a snack just like any other kids do.

I am still teaching yoga and have become even more involved at the Playhouse. I started a 5K Fun Run and 1 Mile Walk to help increase awareness about Down syndrome within a community of people that might not otherwise interact with those with disabilities. At the 2005 5K run a woman wrote the Playhouse and said how honored she was to have done the run and was amazed to see how much our children are like others as opposed to dislike others. She said she wears her t-shirt with pride and will never look at those with Down syndrome the same. Her eyes were opened to all the wonderful things they have to offer. Even if she is the only one to have her views changed about people with Down syndrome then I have done justice for my daughter.

Veronica always has a smile and a wave hello for me and anyone who comes close to her. She is truly beautiful inside and out.

Heidi Aldama
Mother to "the princess" Veronica and Jake

Debbie Ross

My name is Debbie Ross and I am thankful everyday for the incredible gifts that I have been blessed with in my life: my husband Michael, my daughter Maison and my daughter Madisyn who has Down syndrome. Madisyn has changed our lives incredibly, in ways that I never could have imagined.

It is sad to think about all of the opportunities that I would have missed and all of the incredible people that I would not have met if she did not have Down syndrome. That is why I am especially grateful for GiGi's Playhouse and the privilege to be able to serve on the board as Fundraising Director.

Skip & Gayle Gianopulos

Skip graduated from Taylor University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Computer Information Systems Analysis. He received his Law Degree (JD) and a Masters of Law in Taxation (LL.M.) from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago. Skip is a managing Director with Kovitz Investment Group (KIG), a boutique investment management firm in Chicago. Prior to joining KIG, Skip was a Senior Vice President of Harris Trust & Savings Bank in Chicago. In his most recent position at Harris he was the Managing Director of the Wealth Management Group in Barrington. Prior to joining Harris, Skip co-founded a successful fee-based investment advisory firm located in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. Skip has been featured in Worth Magazine as one of the top financial advisors in the country and has spent his entire career counseling high net worth individuals in all areas of wealth management. He is a published author and speaker on various wealth management strategies. Skip is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP™) and serves as the Treasurer of GiGi’s Playhouse.

Gayle graduated from Judson College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and has earned her Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) from the Jane Adams School of Social Work - University of Illinois. After a successful career as a School Social Worker for Palatine School District (Consolidated Community School District #15), Gayle now dedicates herself entirely to serving the needs of her young family.

Skip and Gayle were instrumental in the formation of GiGi’s Playhouse through the birth of their daughter Jessica in 2002. Jessica is the second of three children. All three of their girls have been incredibly blessed through the programs and people of GiGi’s Playhouse.