49. Trading Stress for Rest w/Rebekah Lyons
49. Trading Stress for Rest w/Rebekah Lyons

Raise your hand if you need to rest!  (Don’t worry, we’re right there with you!)  That’s why we’ve invited Rebekah Lyons to sit down and chat all about her new book: Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose.  Not only is she a best selling author and national speaker, Rebekah is a mother to four children, two of whom have Down Syndrome.  She offers a unique perspective on how to deal with the pressures of parenting and what to do when it all just feels like too much.  (And we know we’ve all been there!)  So friends, if you’re like us and you need some new rhythms in your life then you’re in the right place. 

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48. Mikayla Holmgren on Pageants, College, and Self-Advocacy
48. Mikayla Holmgren on Pageants, College, and Self-Advocacy

Mikayla Holmgren is a dancer, pageant star, winner of Miss Minnesota’s Spirit Award and Director’s Award, college graduate, Best Buddies ambassador, and most recently -- a Sephora representative! She also has what she calls “a little side of Down Syndrome!” Not only is this self-advocate the winner of the Miss Amazing pageant, Mikayla is also the first woman with Down Syndrome to EVER compete in a state Miss USA pageant, and she won two major awards. No big deal. Join us for a narrative shifting conversation all about expectations, stereotypes, confidence, independence, and of course, pageant swimsuit competitions. 

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Advocacy, Miss USAComment
47. Planning for the Future w/Phillip Clark from Enable SNP
47. Planning for the Future w/Phillip Clark from Enable SNP

What does the future look like for your child with Down Syndrome? It’s a tough question that can overwhelm even the greatest planners. That’s why Phillip Clark created Enable Special Needs Planning (SNP), a company that helps families create comprehensive plans for their children, tailored to their unique abilities, which allow them to thrive each and every day of their lives. At the core of Enable SNP (and probably all of you) is the belief that everyone has the ability to be impactful! That’s why Phillip and the Enable SNP team empower families to begin planning for the future, today.

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Adoption, Future Comment
46. Behind the Scenes with Incredible Narrative Shifters
46. Behind the Scenes with Incredible Narrative Shifters

Wondering how to turn your passions into narrative-shifting movements? (So are we!) That’s why we sat down and chatted with some incredible advocates at the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network’s Rockin’ Moms Retreat last month! What a joy it was to interview Kristie Magnuson (mother to @gabe.the.babe.and.co), Tamara Pursley of the National Down Syndrome Congress, and Sinead Quinn of Grateful Wellness Co.! We’re talking about everything from t-shirt design to educator conferences and even mental health for moms of children with special needs.

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Adoption, DiagnosisComment
45. Adoption & Down Syndrome w/Stephanie Thompson from the NDSAN
45. Adoption & Down Syndrome w/Stephanie Thompson from the NDSAN

“My doctor told me that my baby would have Down Syndrome and then they brought up termination, so I came home and googled Down Syndrome and adoption and you were the first thing that came up..” the beginning of countless conversations Stephanie Thompson shares with expectant parents.  A mother of a 27-year-old son with Down Syndrome herself, Stephanie knows the uncertainty that accompanies most diagnoses, and the desire of many to parent a child with Down Syndrome, so that’s why she created the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network. The NDSAN provides support, education, counseling, and perhaps most importantly, options, to parents expecting a baby with Down Syndrome.

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44. Shifting the Diagnosis Narrative w/Carissa Carroll from Jack's Basket
44. Shifting the Diagnosis Narrative w/Carissa Carroll from Jack's Basket

Last month, we went to DSDN’s Rockin’ Mom Retreat in Nashville, Tennessee and partied with over 700 moms who have kiddos with Down Syndrome. And we even sat down to interview a few.. including Carissa Carroll, the founder and president of Jack’s Basket! This mother of three children (one of whom rocks an extra chromosome!) learned the hard way that a Down Syndrome diagnosis is not often met with a “Congratulations!” And so, she took matters into her own hands and created Jack’s Basket, a nonprofit organization that hand delivers complimentary gift baskets to families with a new DS diagnosis. Not only has Carissa changed the diagnosis experience for over 1,700 families in 11 different countries, she has developed educational resources for the medical professionals delivering the diagnosis. 

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Inclusion, FriendshipComment
43. Back to School & All Things Best Buddies w/Val Schlieder & Allison Covell
43. Back to School & All Things Best Buddies w/Val Schlieder & Allison Covell

We’re all hoping for great friends for our kiddos, right? And as parents of kids with Down Syndrome, we might be hoping for those great friends even more than most. That’s why we are so excited to talk to you all about Best Buddies, an international non-profit organization that focuses on creating meaningful, one on one, friendships between students with and without different abilities. Here today to tell us all about the program and share their amazing friendship story is (our co-producer) Val Schlieder & Allison Covell. Starting out as high schoolers in the program and then eventually going on to co-launch their own college group, both ladies have been involved with Best Buddies for nearly 10 years! So friends, join us as we answer your questions about all things inclusive friendship and Best Buddies! How can parents of kids without different abilities encourage their children to have inclusive friendships? How can we make sure students value friendships with their peers who have different abilities? And, how can you join or start a Best Buddies program at your school?

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Inclusion, FriendshipComment
42. More Than A Handbag - An Interview w/Shivam Punjya
42. More Than A Handbag - An Interview w/Shivam Punjya

The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) gave his family hope when his sister was born, and now he’s giving it right back. Friends, meet Shivam Punjya, the founder of Behno and the brother of Nini, his younger sister with Down Syndrome. He made fashionable, quality handbags accessible to Nini, and anyone else who might benefit from a rounded zipper and bigger storage space! We love functional fashion, but we love Behno’s collaboration with NDSS even more! Check out this extraordinary partnership and join us for an interview with it’s creator, Shivam!  

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41. Back to School & All Things Teaching, Learning, & Growing!
41. Back to School & All Things Teaching, Learning, & Growing!

Another week back to school and we feel all kinds of grateful for the amazing teachers in our lives who literally make learning happen for our kiddos every single day.  Teachers, we’re here to say that we see you, we love you, and we appreciate you! That’s why today we’re answering questions from you dear listeners about how teachers can modify their classrooms, advocate for all of their students, and become lifelong learners in the process!  So friends, join us for a chat about some of the most important adults in our kids' lives, all the ways you can partner with your child’s teacher, and what Heather wishes she knew when she was an educator. 

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40. Back to School & All Things Education, Inclusion, & Down Syndrome
40. Back to School & All Things Education, Inclusion, & Down Syndrome

Anyone else feel overwhelmed and under-qualified when the back to school season begins?!  We know we do! But here’s the thing: when it comes to your child’s education, YOU DO YOU. If you doing you means homeschooling, great!  If it means a fully inclusive general education setting, great! If it means a special education class setting, great! This week we’re here to say that we are cheering for you and your child with Down Syndrome at school, at home, and in every space you occupy.  Because when it comes down to it, choosing the “perfect” (if there is such a thing) classroom for your child with Down Syndrome depends on so much more than meets the eye. Remember that we can shout the worth of our kiddos from any platform, in every classroom! 

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39. Back to School w/IEP Experts Vickie Brett & Amanda Selogie
39. Back to School w/IEP Experts Vickie Brett & Amanda Selogie

It’s official friends, we are back to school.. and we are taking you all with us!  First things first, let’s talk IEPs with the founders of The Inclusive Education Project: Amanda Selogie and Vickie Brett.  These two bright and beautiful lawyers use their extensive knowledge of education law and their passion for people with different abilities to educate families on special education rights and connect them with pro bono legal aid.  And fortunately for us, they’re sharing their top IEP tips and strategies today! They encourage all of you parents to follow up (in writing) about post-IEP-meeting tasks, provide clear expectations, and create (reasonable) deadlines for everyone on your child’s team.  There is truly no better way to kick off our September Back to School series than with Amanda, Vickie, and their nonprofit - The Inclusive Education Project.

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38. Remembering Jimbo
38. Remembering Jimbo

This week on The Lucky Few Podcast, we are remembering James Eugene Lanto, better known as Jimbo, and even better known as Jimbo_Is_The_Man on Instagram.  For many of us in the online Down Syndrome world, Jimbo’s Instagram account was the first glimpse of what an adult life could look like for our little ones with extra chromosomes.  Jimbo’s spirit seen through those little squares on our phones gave us immense hope and great joy for our child’s future. And for those of us who have other children without Down Syndrome, the loving actions of Jimbo’s sisters erased our fears that our children’s siblings might one day grow bitter or resentful against their brother or sister with Down Syndrome.  In the eyes of Jimbo’s sisters (and all of his 10 other siblings), Jimbo was more than enough just as he was, never a burden, and always a blessing. Hear more from two of Jimbo’s sisters, Pam and Julie, about life with their extraordinary brother and help us pay tribute to the man that showed us what it means to be part of #TheLuckyFew.

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Advocacy, Tribute, FamilyComment
37. Redefining the Down Syndrome Diagnosis w/Meg Wilkes & Stephanie Meredith
37. Redefining the Down Syndrome Diagnosis w/Meg Wilkes & Stephanie Meredith

We talk a lot about how doctors deliver a Down Syndrome diagnosis on this podcast, but we've never discussed doctors and diagnoses and DS with actual medical researchers!  Meg Wilkes and Stephanie Meredith are shifting the diagnosis narrative through their research. Meg is pursuing a masters degree in genetic counseling at the University of South Carolina and her thesis is on: ‘Redefining the Essential Informational Needs of Parents Receiving a Diagnosis of Down Syndrome.’  Stephanie is the medical outreach director at the University of Kentucky who is overseeing Meg’s research, and her 19-year-old son has Down Syndrome!  Thankfully, this medical duo knows that a newborn with DS has a lot more than health issues and doctors appointments ahead of them, and that’s why they’ve created a survey for all of you!  Parents of children with Down Syndrome, you’re invited to tell Meg all about your diagnosis experience: what you needed to know, what you did not need to know, and what you wish you knew! Take the 10-15 minute survey here, tell a friend (or 10), and help us redefine the Down Syndrome diagnosis.

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Advocacy, DiagnosisComment
36. A Tough Conversation About Sexual Abuse in the Down Syndrome Community w/Lindsey Strickland
36. A Tough Conversation About Sexual Abuse in the Down Syndrome Community w/Lindsey Strickland

“This is a complicated issue, but I truly believe that the Down Syndrome community is powerful enough to tackle this,” Lindsey Strickland on sexual abuse against children with Down Syndrome. We know sexual abuse is tough to talk about, but our kids are #WorthTheConversation.  Lindsey, today’s guest, has spent many years working for Child Protective Services as a case manager for at-risk families, and she also grew up with foster siblings who had experienced abuse.  After working as a child advocate in a sexual assault clinic, Lindsey began to educate her community about the realities of child sexual abuse. Her extensive background, heart for outreach, and 6 year-old-son with Down Syndrome all lead her to create Worth The Conversation.  Lindsey’s online platform serves to empower parents to protect their children with different abilities.  She acknowledges the many risk factors for our kids and encourages families to combat those dangers with fierce advocacy and clear communication.  Let’s shout their worth and protect our kiddos, it’s definitely #WorthTheConversation.

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Advocacy, FamilyComment
35. Mercedes & Andy answer, "What's it like traveling with your kids?"
35. Mercedes & Andy answer, "What's it like traveling with your kids?"

Hi friends- Mercedes & Andy Lara (@hooray4sunny) here!  We’ve been traveling with our three kiddos all summer long and you wouldn’t believe the stories we have for you!  Between all of our crazy fun adventures, we’ve picked up on quite a few #TravelHacks along the way, especially for children with different abilities!  Snacks, sunscreen, and no screen time are just a few of our keys to a fun vacation. But we get it, traveling with kids isn’t always easy, especially if you’re traveling with people who don’t quite understand why your child responds a little differently to the world.  It’s okay to wonder why on earth you left the house in the first place when your child refuses to walk back to the car or stand in line. And it’s okay to pack an entire pantry full of snacks to get you through the day.  What matters most is that you keep showing up.  The world needs to see your beautiful family and interact with your extraordinary children.  

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Advocacy, Family, TravelComment