A volunteer reflection on GiGi’s Playhouse NYC

Meet Kyle

Leaps & Bounds Program Leader

“Its all work AND all play!”

My name’s Kyle Zreibe, I’m a second year physical therapy student at Columbia University and I currently lead Leaps & Bounds at GiGi’s Playhouse NYC.

Leaps & Bounds is a program that incorporates different games and activities to encourage children to get up and be active. As an aspiring physical therapist, I believe that movement is medicine and at GiGi’s we bring that ideology into practice every week. The children don’t even realize it but through playing and having fun, we’re able to work on improving motor control, balance and overall functional development. And I think that is one of the greatest aspects about this program – it’s all work AND all play.

Our games include things like doing obstacle courses and going on scavenger hunts. We have a “word of the day” which sets the theme for our crazy dance parties. We bounce on the trampoline and pretend that we are superheroes. My experience doing these activities and working with children with Down syndrome has shown me that there is nothing any of them won’t do, because there is nothing they can’t do. We are able to create a space where we make sure that no one feels limited.

Getting into the healthcare field, I’ve met amazing pediatric physical therapists, nurses and doctors that dedicate their lives to doing important work everyday. I’ve always wanted to be a superhero and I used to think that healthcare professionals were, which is why I’m becoming a physical therapist. But the more time I spend with the children and families at GiGi’s, the more my perspective changes. I find myself no longer wanting to be a superhero because the actual superheroes, the ones who are resilient and strong, are all these families right here at GiGi’s Playhouse. I get to work with the most incredible children who defy society’s odds in every way. I look forward to spending my Saturdays with them!

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