Be careful what you wish for! GiGi’s Playhouse, a Down syndrome awareness center, opened in 2003, one year after Nancy Gianni gave birth to her daughter, GiGi. When Nancy received the diagnosis that GiGi had Down syndrome, her fear and ignorance, coupled with the negative reactions of the medical staff made Nancy believe that her life, as she knew it, was over. She soon came to realize that GiGi could do the same things that her other children do! With the help and support of the community, GiGi’s Playhouse opened as a multicultural activity and resource center for individuals with Down syndrome and their families, in Hoffman Estates, IL. The mission is to spread positive awareness about Down syndrome by providing programming, education and support to individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community. The goal and ultimate vision of GiGi’s Playhouse is to celebrate the lives and showcase the talents and potential of individuals with Down syndrome. It has been an incredible dream come true for not only Nancy and her family but for the thousands of families that visit the Playhouse each year. The growth has been tremendous! Within 2 years, a 2nd Playhouse opened in Plainfield and 3 more playhouses are opening in McHenry, Chicago and in Sioux, City, Iowa! The common thread that brings people from all walks of life together in order to open a Playhouse is their love for someone with Down syndrome. What a bond that creates! GiGi, now 5 years old is at school full time and keeps her whole family busy! She loves school and of course, loves coming to see all her friends at the Playhouse!