My Why: A Call for Kindness

We’re welcoming one of our favorite moms and most steadfast supporters of the Denver Playhouse to the blog – Tiffany Merritt.  Since joining the Start-Up team, Tiffany has been a shining ray of light guiding everything from fundraising events to the Grand Opening and now serves as the Volunteer Coordinator.

She’s sharing a simple, yet ever-present reminder on why GiGi’s matters.  Enjoy!

Tell us a little bit more about you and your family
I am a Colorado native, and my husband, David, and I are about to celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary. We have three amazing kids, Olivia- 10, Lucas- 8, and Ella- 4, who happens to have Down syndrome. 

I am a teacher by trade. I completed my undergraduate in Human Development at Colorado State University, then my elementary teaching license at Colorado University in Denver, and a master’s in mathematics education. For twelve years, I had the honor of teaching second and third graders in a district that I fell in love with, supporting many second language learners in an area with a high poverty rate. I believe teachers have an incredible impact on their students while students truly are influential in teachers’ lives. My students grew and made me better as I worked with different learning styles while acknowledging that the classroom is a community beyond reading, writing, and math.

Since leaving the classroom, I have continued to teach, just in a different setting. We homeschool our three children, and I have gained a newfound joy in witnessing each of our own children’s challenges, gifts, and talents.

How did you get involved with GiGi’s?
I first heard about GiGi’s Playhouse through our youngest daughter’s Physical Therapists. When Ella was about nine months old, they shared that they were partnering with GiGi’s Playhouse as the creators of a new physical fitness and therapy program, GiGiFIT. They asked if Ella could help by modeling to prepare for the GiGiFIT Infant program materials. Then, about three months later, I joined a group of local parents to bring the first GiGi’s Playhouse to Denver. After looking more into the organization and its mission, I knew it was an easy yes!

Why GiGi’s?
About a year before I was pregnant with Ella, a prayer was laid upon my heart- one that I prayed consistently, not knowing what the Lord had planned, but I was expectant. I prayed that I would be surrounded by individuals others may not view as worthy. After Ella’s birth diagnosis of Down syndrome, I knew she was the gift that we never knew we needed and that she would open opportunities. About three weeks into our five-week stay in the NICU, I told the nurses, friends, and family that I was going to do something about Down syndrome advocacy. I just didn’t know what or when. So when the opportunity came to help start up a GiGi’s Playhouse in Denver, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to be a part of the mission to change how the world views Down syndrome and send a global message of acceptance for all. I knew my prayer was answered.

What’s your favorite part of GiGi’s Playhouse Denver? What takeaways have you gotten from your volunteer experiences?
Being on this journey has allowed me to witness the power of those willing to go outside of themselves to advocate for something they wholeheartedly believe in. It’s been an honor to build relationships with other parents who have children and loved ones with Down syndrome and share our experiences – the challenges and celebrations. I love that GiGi’s Playhouse is 99% volunteer-run, and time and time again, I’m in awe of the amazing individuals who come along and commit to making a difference. As Volunteer Coordinator, I have the honor of hearing interested volunteers’ stories and helping them find the best-fit areas of involvement.

What does acceptance mean to you?
Acceptance means first acknowledging and then putting into action the realization that our differences are an asset. I believe we shouldn’t shy away or turn our heads because of each other’s differences. It may be uncomfortable, but by giving others a chance to be seen and known, we often begin to see our similarities and experience each person’s value. Taking the time to get to know others opens our eyes to the beauty in our differences and gives us glimpses into our Creator’s design.

Any final words to share with our community? 
The world simply needs more kindness.

One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 16:24, “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

If you or someone you know is looking to connect and learn about the resources GiGi’s Playhouse has to offer, please reach out today at denver@gigisplayhouse.org.