Born with diastrophic dysplasia, a form of dwarfism, Tiffanie has led an independent life. So when she and her husband Eric became parents to Titan, a typically-sized child, she knew she would parent in her own unique way. For example, carrying him as an infant was a safety issue, given her stiff muscles and arthritis. “The solution was right in front of me: the stroller my grandfather bought me for my baby shower. Why couldn’t I place him securely inside it and bring him where I needed to go with him inside? I could. So I did.”
Leaving the home with Titan solo isn’t an option, but she’s reached out to her community. “For me, if I have to go shopping or whatever, I make sure to have help. I’m thankful to have that support system – other military wives to call upon.”
And sometimes Tiffanie has to get creative with her parenting approach.
“I have to put my MacGyver hat on and pick my battles as a parent.”
Tiffanie has found that in some ways, she has become a better parent since she has to often think outside the box. “To change his diaper, [Titan] knows to follow me into my bedroom and that he gets the phone when he’s on the bed and I change him there. It may seem like a hardship to some, but it works for me. And the benefit of having to do it this way is I keep in tune with his likes and dislikes. I think of it as a way to get to know him more.”
Tiffanie and Titan sometimes have to work together when they find themselves in tricky situations, like the time Titan wedged himself behind the couch. “There was no way I could get him out physically on my own, so no matter what I did, I knew I’d need his help,” shares Tiffanie. “So I made up this game where I’d start singing a little jingle and clap my hands. Then I’d reach out for him to take my hands. I’d sing, ‘One, two, three, help me!’ And it worked!”
Now expecting their second child, Tiffanie will no doubt find other solutions to creatively parent her kids in ways that work for her. In turn, her children will continue to help her face daily challenges together.