EPISODES

“There’s not a right way to have worth.. you just have worth.” - Heather Avis. We’re honored to chat once again with Gail Williamson who has been showing the media the worth of actors with Down syndrome for many years! It all started when her son Blair auditioned for a running commercial.. he’s built quite the acting career since and so has Gail - but in a much different way! She developed the children’s division in the Media Access Office and then went on to work for KMR Talent in the Diversity Department. Gail has blazed such a trail in this business that in 2019, the actors she represents made $3 million collectively. You don’t want to miss this chat with Gail as we discuss disability in the media, current barriers facing actors with DS, her proudest moments, and more!

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Friends! It’s April and you know what that means.. Autism Acceptance Month! So we sat down with our very own Micha Boyett to discuss the last 18 months after receiving her son Ace’s ASD diagnosis. We’re also asking tons of questions about ABA therapy.. Should we do it? What will the impact be? And most importantly, WHY do we put our children in therapies at all? Plus, we’re sharing some recommendations for autistic self-advocates to follow! Don’t miss this one.

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What do you do when your oldest child realizes her little sister will begin driving soon and wonders why they can’t do the same? Or when they ask for a not so “age-appropriate” toy as a gift? How do you navigate parenting a teenager with Down syndrome and all of the complexities that come with it? We asked Jen Jones, (wife, mother, & lifestyle coach) these tough questions and she’s sharing her 16 years of experience raising her oldest daughter Addie, who has Down syndrome. We’re chatting about everything from puberty, friendships, family dynamics, and post high-school plans. If you’ve ever wondered about anything related to adolescence and Down syndrome, this one’s for you.

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With so much talk about the Covid-19 vaccine, it’s hard to know what to believe! And when we’re trying our best to protect our loved ones with Down syndrome, it gets even more complicated. That’s why we are so glad to have Dr. Spinazzi back on the podcast to break down all the science behind the vaccine - in terms that even we can understand! We’re chatting about why people with DS and their caretakers have been prioritized to receive the vaccine, common myths surrounding the vaccine, and where the distrust of modern medicine might come from. Dr. Spinazzi reminds us that of all the stages of this pandemic (from making bread to making tik toks), she believes we are entering a stage of hope.

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We’re finishing the month of March with a very special interview with our favorite self-advocates.. our own children! That’s right, we have Ace, Sunny, Macy, and August on the podcast today for a sweet convo complete with a special “wheels on the bus” number just for you all! Plus the kids are telling us all about their favorite tv shows, sports, and music — don’t miss an update on Heather’s Beyonce NY’s resolution! They’re also answering the question: “What is your favorite thing about yourself?” and the responses are sweeter than we even imagined.

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Collette Divitto graduated college and moved to Boston with the hopes of finding a job and getting her adult life started. But when she got there, every job she applied for told her she just “wasn’t the right fit.” So she took matters into her own hands and turned her famous chocolate chip cookie recipe into a successful company. And Collettey’s Cookies was born. Today, Collette is an accomplished business owner and well-known public speaker.. her favorite thing to ask people is “Why are you so surprised?” We’re so excited to have her on the show to chat about inclusive employment, self-advocacy, and of course — cookies! Be sure to check out Collettey’s Cookies for gifts, weddings, corporate events, and more!

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Happy World Down Syndrome Day, friends! It’s 3/21 and that means today the 3 of us are sharing 21 things we LOVE about Down syndrome! From the good news, the dance moves, the button noses, and all the smiles and snuggles in between, there is SO much to celebrate today. We’re especially grateful that our loved ones with Down syndrome have set the pace for our families, taught us how to dance like no one is watching (literally), and have connected us with this community. We truly are #TheLuckyFew.

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She’s the first person with Down syndrome to swim across the English Channel, she’s spoken to crowds across the nation, she’s started a non-profit foundation, she’s earned an honorary doctorate degree, she’s been a hard working employee for several years and she hasn’t let this pandemic stop her. She’s Karen Gaffney. And today she’s telling us all about her motto: “Down syndrome is a life meant to be lived.” We are SO thankful she’s here with us to chat about a lifetime of self-advocacy, her non-profit foundation, and all the daily routines (including 2 mile swims before work) that keep her going! You don’t want to miss this one, friends!

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When it comes to inclusion in the modeling industry, we don’t always see people with disabilities on the front page. But Grace Strobel, a 24 year old self advocate with Down syndrome, is on a mission to shift this narrative both on and off camera. Not only is Grace a professional model, she is an extraordinary public speaker who inspires her audience with what she calls, “The Grace Effect,” (AKA kindness and respect!). Tune in for our chat with Grace and her mother Linda as we discuss why she started public speaking and who she hopes to inspire. Enjoy!

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It all started when Micha tried to find a Down syndrome podcast that could help her get her son Ace to brush his teeth. When she couldn’t find one, she called Heather, who called Mercedes, and you know the rest of the story. Here we are 100 episodes later sharing our most memorable moments from the last 3 years and some special updates from former guests! We’re so glad that what started with us running around in shiny skirts with bright lipstick has turned into such a special community with you all. Thanks for sticking around for the last 100 episodes. Here’s to many, many more.

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Only 18 children with Down syndrome were born in Denmark in the year of 2019. The article “The Last Children of Down Syndrome” by Sarah Zhang is exploring all the reasons why.. starting with prenatal testing. Zhang says, “Prenatal testing is changing who gets born and who doesn’t. This is only the beginning.” Today, we’re taking time to respond to this article and sharing our own thoughts on prenatal testing, eugenics, the idea of “risk aversion,” the hopes we have for our children, and so much more. This is a heavy one, friends. But we hope you stick with us for this important conversation.

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