EPISODES

22. Owning Your Influence in Down Syndrome Spaces with Jen Jacob

22. Owning Your Influence in Down Syndrome Spaces with Jen Jacob

“Congratulations! You’re going to have a baby with Down Syndrome..” the words Heather dreams a doctor would say when delivering a Down Syndrome diagnosis. Thankfully, fierce advocates like Jen Jacob are here to make that vision a reality. Jen is the co-author of "The Parent's Guide to Down Syndrome: Advice, Information, Inspiration, and Support for Raising Your Child from Diagnosis through Adulthood" and the author and a contributor for "Unexpected, Stories of a Down Syndrome Diagnosis." Jen is also the co-founder and Executive Director for the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network.

Today, we’re chatting about doctor’s appointments, community groups, and Jen’s incredible work with the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network. Serving over 9,000 families, Jen Jacob is literally shifting the Down Syndrome narrative, in doctor’s offices and delivery rooms everywhere.

GeneralValerie SchliederApril 1, 2019Diagnosis, Down Syndrome, AdvocacyComment

21. Owning Your Influence in Front of the Camera With Amanda Booth

21. Owning Your Influence in Front of the Camera With Amanda Booth

Hi friends! Welcome back to Season Three, Episode Two of The Lucky Few Podcast. Today, we’re chatting with Amanda Booth, an actress, model, and mama to Micah, her son with Down Syndrome. Together, they work hard to represent the Down Syndrome community on the playground, Instagram, and even magazine covers like Vogue and Anthropologie! But you don’t have to be a model or an actress to own your influence. Amanda believes that whether it’s a trip to the park or an audition, the most important part is showing up.Join us as Amanda shares her journey into the modeling industry, her son’s unique diagnosis story, and the way Down Syndrome transformed her career and helped her achieve her dreams.

GeneralValerie SchliederMarch 25, 2019Down Syndrome, Motherhood, ModelComment

20. Owning Your Influence: WDSD & Dear Mom, Conference

20. Owning Your Influence: WDSD & Dear Mom, Conference

Hi friends! Welcome to Season 3 of The Lucky Few Podcast. We are SO glad you found your way here, and on World Down Syndrome Day of all days! There is no better time to talk about owning your influence than right now. So let’s talk about it, with all the moms at Dear Mom, Conference! We’re asking, “What does it mean to be a shouter of worth?”

GeneralValerie SchliederMarch 21, 2019World Down Syndrome Day, Dear Mom Comment

19. Questions, Answers, Recap, and More!

19. Questions, Answers, Recap, and More!

Hey, friends! We are so glad you’re here for the final episode of Season Two of The Lucky Few Podcast! Listen along as we relive the best of this season and answer questions from you lovely listeners! From the conversation about inclusion with Kristen, to the lessons learned from Terry Brown, this season has been powerful! The world change doesn’t stop here though! This week, we are answering your questions about how to make time for all of your children and handle fears of the future for your child with different abilities. But friends, it gets better because we are coming back for The Lucky Few Podcast Season Three: Owning Your Influence! That’s right, we’ll be chatting all about what it means to shift the narrative in your daily life and influence your community to shout the worth of people with Down Syndrome!

GeneralValerie SchliederDecember 2, 2018Down Syndrome, AdvocacyComment

18. The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide!

18. The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide!

Welcome to The Lucky Few Podcast, friends! Thanksgiving is behind us and the holiday season is ahead! Struggling with gift ideas for your friends and family? We’ve got you covered. Listen along for the Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide, your inside look into this season’s most meaningful gifts for everyone on your list! This season, give gifts that shout the worth of people with Down Syndrome and bring joy to your children, your friends, and even parents of children with different abilities! But don’t pay full price, we have coupon codes and more for all of our Lucky Few listeners! Happy shopping, friends!

GeneralValerie SchliederNovember 26, 2018Down Syndrome, Gifts, Christmas Comment

17. Self Advocacy - Down Syndrome in DC with Kayla McKeon!

17. Self Advocacy - Down Syndrome in DC with Kayla McKeon!

This week on the Lucky Few Podcast, we have the honor of sitting down with Kayla McKeon -- the first registered lobbyist with Down Syndrome! Not only is Kayla active in her church and Special Olympics, she is a Ruby’s Rainbow college scholarship recipient and takes classes each semester! Kayla is living proof that people with Down Syndrome can lead full and productive lives and that’s why she’s one of the best self advocates in DC. Join us this week to hear all about the extraordinary life of Kayla McKeon, a college student, a licensed driver, a podcast host, a public speaker, a reader, and an exceptional lobbyist.

GeneralValerie SchliederNovember 19, 2018Advocacy, Lobbyist, National Down Syndrome SocietyComment

16. Live From the Dear Mom Conference!

16. Live From the Dear Mom Conference!

Coming at you LIVE from Orem, Utah - the ladies of The Lucky Few podcast take the stage at Dear Mom Conference! Heather, Micah, and Mercedes are reading their “Dear Mom” letters to their former selves and revealing all the things they wish they knew when they received their child’s Down Syndrome diagnosis. From the vulnerable lens of these powerful mamas, we’re working through answers to all the tough questions. What are you most scared of for your child’s future? How can I help my child relate to their peers? How can I shift the Down Syndrome narrative in my daily life?

GeneralValerie SchliederNovember 12, 2018Advocacy, MotherhoodComment

15. Discipline and Down Syndrome with Dr. David Stein

15. Discipline and Down Syndrome with Dr. David Stein

This week on The Lucky Few Podcast, we’re talking about all things discipline and behavior with Dr. David Stein, a psychologist and Co-Director of the Down Syndrome Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. His “respond but don’t react” approach to parenting children with Down Syndrome guides his new book: Supporting Positive Behavior in Children and Teens with Down Syndrome. Join us this week to learn more about the brain development of children with Down Syndrome, the best approach to disciplining children with Down Syndrome, and the importance of self-care for parents of children with Down Syndrome.

GeneralValerie SchliederNovember 9, 2018Behavior, ParentingComment

14. Marriage & Relationships: Parents Raising Children with Down Syndrome

14. Marriage & Relationships: Parents Raising Children with Down Syndrome

What happens when five married couples get together to talk about raising kids who have Down Syndrome? Join us around the campfire for this episode to find out! We’re talking all about growing stronger through tough seasons, splitting therapy responsibilities, and still making time to enjoy date night! Marriage and raising kids with Down Syndrome can be tricky, but these couples prove that it is definitely possible, and always worth it. Listen along for the ultimate insider’s perspective.

GeneralValerie SchliederOctober 29, 2018Family, Marriage Comment

13. Inclusion In The Church with Jamie Lim Lee

13. Inclusion In The Church with Jamie Lim Lee

This week on The Lucky Few Podcast, we’re breaking through cultural and religious stereotypes that discriminate against people with Down Syndrome, with the help of none other than Jamie Lee! Her educational background includes a MA in Secondary Education with emphasis, English (USC), post graduate work in Paralegal studies (NYU), and a BA in Psychology with a Minor in English (UCSB).

Heather AvisOctober 22, 2018Family, Advocacy, EducationComment

12. Education - So Happy to Learn with Mrs. Terry Brown

12. Education - So Happy to Learn with Mrs. Terry Brown

This week on The Lucky Few Podcast we’re talking all about education! And we’re learning from none other than Mrs. Terry Brown, the creator of the “So Happy to Learn” program. She is passionate and gifted at teaching individuals with Down syndrome for over 20 years, and has developed an innovative program called “So Happy to Learn” that teaches reading, writing and math to children and adults with with Down Syndrome.

Heather AvisOctober 15, 2018Family, Advocacy, Education Comment

11. Inclusion - A Parents Perspective with Kristin Enriquez Pt. 2

11. Inclusion - A Parents Perspective with Kristin Enriquez Pt. 2

For our first two episodes of this second season, we’re chatting with Kristin Enriquez, an inclusion expert and educational consultant, who has the unique perspective of both an educator and mom, with a long career in the field of special education, and a ten year old son with Down syndrome.

GeneralHeather AvisOctober 8, 2018Family, Inclusion, AdvocacyComment

10. Inclusion - An Educator’s Perspective with Kristin Enriquez Pt. 1

10. Inclusion - An Educator’s Perspective with Kristin Enriquez Pt. 1

For our first two episodes of this second season, we’re chatting with Kristin Enriquez, an inclusion expert and educational consultant, who has the unique perspective of both an educator and mom, with a long career in the field of special education, and a ten year old son with Down syndrome.

GeneralHeather AvisOctober 1, 2018Family, Inclusion, Advocacy Comment

9. Q & A!

9. Q & A!

It’s our Season One finale! And we’re celebrating by taking your questions! From adoption to social media to navigating extracurricular activities, Heather, Mercedes and Micha are here to answer your deepest questions (or maybe just the first questions that came to your mind).

GeneralHeather AvisJuly 10, 2018FamilyComment

8. Therapy and All the Feelings

8. Therapy and All the Feelings

It is finally here! Welcome to the episode where we talk about all things therapy, and trust us… you won’t want to miss this one. What do you do when it feels like therapies are taking over? How much therapy should your child be receiving? How do you balance therapies with everything else of life? We cover it all…

GeneralHeather AvisJune 27, 2018FamilyComment