Friends, we know there are so many ways to learn, join us today as Mercedes chats with fellow homeschool mama Rachel Prescott about what it's like to homeschool kiddos with (and without!)  Down syndrome. Mercedes has homeschooled her daughter Sunflower who has Down syndrome and her three boys for over five years now, Rachel who has twin six-year-old daughters Nettie and Lottie who have Down syndrome, and two boys ages 8 and 10. They share what an average homeschool day looks like for them,...

Friends, we’re so excited to be joined by Mrs. Brown today, you’ve heard us mention her many times over the years! She has developed a successful and innovative program that teaches reading and other academic skills to learners ages three to adult. We learned about her passion and gift for teaching individuals with Down syndrome in 2018 and had her on the show during our first season. Today, she’s back to talk about her program, “So Happy To Learn,” to share memorable teaching moments, give...

Friends, today we have Manni and Reuben Coe, two remarkable brothers from the UK, who are here to share their deeply moving journey and new book, brother. do. you. love. me. Their story is one of extraordinary resilience, heartwarming repair, and the profound rediscovery of brotherly love. These magical brothers remind us of the power of love and resilience. Their story is not just about overcoming obstacles; it's about finding strength in vulnerability, embracing hope in the face of...

Friends, we put, “I’m A Really Good Mom” on a t-shirt because we know moms doubt this truth about themselves daily. Today in honor of Mother’s Day we’re celebrating the importance of community, friendship, and advocacy with our friends Kelli Caughman and Crystal Lotterberry! Kelli & Crystal are the founders of the Black Down Syndrome Association and they’re here to have an unfiltered conversation about the messy and beautiful parts of being a mama! We're chatting about how Down syndrome...

Friends, we’re so excited to have barber Vernon Jackson on the show today! In his barbershop and salon in Ohio, haircuts are more than just a service—they're an act of love and understanding. Through his viral program, The Gifted Event, Vernon provides free haircuts to children with disabilities, offering them patience, empathy, and a sense of belonging. A lifelong creative with a passion for serving others, he’s committed to seeing The Gifted Event continue to expand across the country and...

254. The Next Step: Navigating Healthcare Transitions for Individuals with Down Syndrome (w/ Dr. Emily Johnson) Today, we’re chatting about navigating healthcare transitions with Dr. Emily Johnson, a dedicated advocate and physician specializing in the healthcare needs of individuals with Down syndrome. We discuss the importance of starting the transition process early, the challenges families may face, and the key considerations for a successful transition. Dr. Johnson also shares her...

What does it mean to feel “lucky” to have a child with Down syndrome? We’re having a candid conversation about the evolving meaning of “lucky” within our community and personal journeys. Through the challenges and the joys, we know that things like toxic positivity and social media can leave us struggling to feel “lucky.” We’re sharing our thoughts, experiences, and some feedback from one of Heather’s social media posts on what “lucky” in The Lucky Few has come to mean. Join the conversation...

We’re so excited to have Phillip Clark back on the show, he’s the founder of ENABLE Special Needs Planning and is here to chat with us about involving siblings in the guardianship and decision-making process. Phillip shares the importance of having open conversations early on with siblings about guardianship and gives advice about getting the conversation started. He dives into the differences between guardianship and supported decision-making and the importance of personalizing decisions for...

You know and love her as the bubbly blonde that breaks into song on nearly every episode, today our girl Micha Boyett isn’t just The Lucky Few Podcast host, she’s our guest!! Join us in celebrating her new book Blessed Are The Rest Of Us (available April 9th!)! We’re chatting about her journey of writing this book, and how she chose to write more than just a memoir. What does it mean to be “blessed”? What makes us worthy? What makes life good? Micha shares how her journey with Ace’s Down...

Friends, we had another hot topic in our group text that we knew we needed to bring on the pod to have with all of you! Today we’re chatting about the February 25th episode of “Saturday Night Live” with a guest host who used his niece and her Down syndrome diagnosis as a punch line to his set. We’re talking about our reactions and the larger conversation: who has the right to use Down syndrome and disability as a joke or punch line? Join us as we discuss the discomfort when jokes are made for...

For nearly 250 episodes we’ve had educational, encouraging, and meaningful conversations amplifying voices and shifting narratives for individuals with Down syndrome. Over the last 6 years, we’ve tackled topics on education, health & wellness, accessibility, stereotypes, legal rights, media representation, advocacy, and so much more! We were even recognized with the 2023 Media Award at the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention! We’ve had so many great moments but the best part of...

For nearly 250 episodes we’ve had educational, encouraging, and meaningful conversations amplifying voices and shifting narratives for individuals with Down syndrome. Over the last 6 years, we’ve tackled topics on education, health & wellness, accessibility, stereotypes, legal rights, media representation, advocacy, and so much more! We were even recognized with the 2023 Media Award at the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention! We’ve had so many great moments but the best part of...

We’re so excited to welcome feature film executive turned author and disability advocate, Kelley Coleman to the show! Her book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Support releases TODAY!! Friends, this book is like gold, it provides the kind of support and confidence we all need to navigate and understand the complex systems, services, and supports no matter what diagnosis our kids have. It’s a resource we’ll be...

Friends, we’re so excited to have award-winning writer, speaker, podcaster, disability advocate, and Mom of three, Amy Julia Becker, joining us for a third time today! She’s here to chat about what the journey with her daughter Penny has looked like after turning 18 and entering adulthood. She’s been in the process of making decisions about education, employment, guardianship, independent living, and so much more! We chat about navigating new services, and agencies, and Teresa from Social...

Friends, we know that seeing specialists and hearing your child could potentially have cardiac issues after receiving a prenatal diagnosis can all be overwhelming. We also know that while months of celebrating and advocating for awareness can be helpful, but also adds to those valid overwhelming feelings when you’re new to a diagnosis. While those statistics are true, 50% of babies born with Down syndrome are born with heart defects. There are also incredible advancements in cardiology and...

Friends, you know we don’t shy away from asking the hard questions; today we’re diving into a complex one: Can an advocate get it wrong sometimes? We discuss the balance of advocating and learning, the foundation of a good advocate, and how humility shapes our advocacy journey. We explore the responsibility and journey of advocating for those with Down syndrome, and why being a listener and learner is key to effective advocacy. How long do you have to be part of something to be an advocate?...

Friends, we’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with a couple that are sharing their enchanting love story! Their engagement was marked by a viral video and widespread media, Matthew Schwab and fiancé Lucia Romano share everything from their first date to their dreams for the future. This power couple is dedicated to shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome and the entire Intellectual and Developmental Disability community. From being fluent in multiple languages, working, driving, owning...

Friends, last February we (Heather & Josh!) had an unscripted conversation about challenges with IEP’s and what the best setting for Macy’s education would look like. They say a lot can happen in a year, and when it comes to school, that’s an understatement. We’re talking about Macy’s journey in the last year, from a Charter school program and ultimately her decision to return to a life skills program. The importance of seeking advice, but most importantly, following our kid's lead, and...

Friends, today we’re diving deep into the heart of our favorite topic: inclusion! We chat about the barriers preventing true inclusion and we're challenging societal norms and asking the important questions about what defines human worth. What kind of person gets to be celebrated? What kind of person with Down syndrome gets to be celebrated? We explore the buzzword status of “inclusion,” the role of privilege in accessing support and services, and so much more. As we navigate this journey, we...

We love any opportunity to have our friends from Massachusett’s General Hospital’s Down Syndrome Clinic on the show today we’re joined by Dr. Stephanie Santoro! Dr. Santoro, a renowned geneticist and pediatrician, discusses her impactful research in developing a Down syndrome instrument to enhance healthcare for individuals with Down syndrome. From prioritizing patient outcomes to filling gaps in resources, join us in exploring the unique aspects of health for those with Down syndrome and how...

Throwback Episode 218: Creating Inclusion For All Learners (w/Tim Villegas - Originally aired 8/1/23) Friends, we’re taking the month of August to talk all things Back to School, today we kick off the series with a discussion on implementing inclusion in the classroom. We’re joined by Tim Villegas, he’s the director of communications for the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE), a nonprofit that seeks to be the catalyst for the meaningful and successful inclusion of all...

Throwback Episode 237. Is There Such A Thing As A Difficult Parent? (Originally aired 12/12/23) There are so many feelings when we enter spaces alongside our loved ones with Down syndrome and disabilities. The question, “Is there such a thing as a difficult parent?” It made us think deeply about advocacy, boundaries, and how gender, race, and cultural stereotypes can play a role in this question. What does it mean to advocate? What is your job as your child's advocate? If you make people...

Throwback Episode 232: Shifting the Narrative Through Unexpected News Curriculum for Providers (w/Carissa Carroll & Dr. Erin Plummer - Originally aired 11/9/23) Friends, we’re excited to have Jack’s Basket founder Carissa Carroll back on the show! Today she’s joined by Dr. Erin Plummer to chat with us all about a new curriculum they are launching for medical providers. They’re providing practical online training for providers to review the literature and allow reflection on their own...

Throwback Episode 234: Producing A Diverse, Authentic, & Honoring Netflix Series (w/ Down For Love Producer Robyn Paterson - Originally aired 11/21/23) On episode 226 we shared our thoughts on the hit Netflix series Down For Love which follows several people with Down syndrome as they navigate “the triumphs and trials of dating.” If you listened to “Our Thoughts On The Netflix Series Down For Love,” then you know how much we loved this show and appreciated the conversations that it...