The Merritt Matrix

What is The Merritt Matrix?

In 2015, we were blessed to become the parents of our amazing daughter, Merritt. As she grew, we realized that she was developing at her own unique pace, and after many difficult days and hospital stays, we discovered that Merritt was missing a large part of her genetic code—larger than anything ever recorded before. From the moment we met her, we knew Merritt was extraordinary, but her journey has shown us just how incredible she truly is.

The Merritt Movement began after one of Merritt’s multiple EEG stays at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. What started as a way for our family to show support quickly grew into something far beyond what we ever imagined. The movement reached all corners of the United States and crossed international borders, and in turn, Merritt’s story has helped raise funds for rare disease research and foundations like Global Genes.

In the past two years, we’ve raised over $35,000 for Special Olympics Area 11, creating unforgettable experiences for local athletes. But as we continued to grow, we realized we could do even more. That’s when we decided to turn our focus to supporting families in our community, especially those facing similar challenges. The Merritt Matrix was born out of our desire to make a tangible difference for families like ours—providing resources like AAC devices, educational tools, and more.

Building a Strong Foundation

We are excited to announce that The Merritt Matrix will be partnering closely with the Thornapple Kellogg School District to provide support to local children and families in need. We will work directly with educators, Speech-Language Pathologists, and other professionals to streamline the application process, fine-tune the specific needs of each child, and ensure that every resource is tailored to support their growth and communication needs.

By collaborating with these experts, we aim to provide the most effective and personalized solutions, helping children gain the tools they need to thrive in their learning environment and beyond.

Funding Goal for 2025

In 2025, our fundraising goal is to raise $35,000 to provide essential tools and resources for our community. With your support, we aim to provide 10 MatrixTalk Kits at $900 each, 5 MatrixTeach Toolkits at $400 each, and 1 MatrixPlay Board at $2,500. These tools are vital in supporting the development and education of those in need. We will raise funds through a variety of exciting events, including apparel sales, a Cornhole Tournament, a Golf Scramble, and raffles. Join us in making a lasting impact—every contribution helps us get closer to our goal and supports a brighter future for all!

Tools for Expression, Paths to Inclusion

MatrixTALK Kit
An all-in-one package to enhance communication through technology. Each Kit, valued at $900, empowers the individual with the tools they need for effective communication.
MatrixTEACH Toolkit
Boardmaker 7 software, valued at $400, is a powerful software program designed primarily for educators and speech-language professionals to create custom visual communication tools.
MatrixPLAY Boards
Communication boards for playgrounds, valued at $750 - 5000 are visual tools designed to help children communicate effectively in a social and active environment.