Down Syndrome 21st Perspectives

In this special Father’s Day episode of Down Syndrome: 21st Perspectives, hosts Anne Lewis, and Monique Johnson, and Leigh Frillici welcome a deeply personal guest—Anne’s husband, Jake Lewis—for a raw, heartfelt conversation about fatherhood, faith, and the unexpected beauty that comes from life's biggest challenges.  Jake shares his emotional journey through addiction recovery, receiving a Do...

Batter up! Little League's Challenger Baseball is an adaptive baseball program that opens the world of baseball to children with disabilities. In this episode, cohosts Monique Johnson and Leigh Frillici welcome Mark Potts, the commissioner of West University's Challenger Baseball Program. Mark shares how the league operates, its inclusive design, and the profound impact it has on children,...

Monique Johnson and Anne Lewis' daughters share heartfelt stories about growing up with brothers who have Down syndrome. From tech troubles to spontaneous dance parties, they reflect on how their brothers have shaped their empathy, sense of responsibility, and future goals. Their moms join in to talk about the journey from fear to pride, and why this unique path is full of unexpected gifts. It's a...

In this inspiring episode, Geralyn Spiesz, OT and founder of the Down Syndrome Action Plan, shares her journey from a Down syndrome diagnosis of her child in 2007 to becoming an advocate for brain-based, individualized support for children with Down syndrome. Drawing from her work as an occupational therapist and her personal experience as a mom, Geralyn breaks down the powerful, neurodevelopmenta...

Family to Family Network’s Executive Director, Mary Jane Williams joins us to talk about navigating education and support systems for individuals with disabilities. The discussion includes navigating medical and special education services, the waitlist crisis for services for 18 and over, how to potentially extend health insurance for your adult child and the complexities of guardianship and suppo...

In this podcast we explore advocacy for children with special needs. Our special guest, Jane Friou, is on the Board of the Down Syndrome Association of Houston. Jane is the mother of an 18-year-old with Down syndrome and she has become a passionate advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She shares her personal journey, from navigating early challenges to becomin...

This episode features a heartfelt discussion about the emotional life of parents of kids with Down Syndrome. Anne and Monique explore their initial fears and anxieties that arose —concerns about their childrens' futures, how life would change, and the struggle with societal perceptions. They also share how they have grounded themselves in hope, love, and the joy their children bring, emphasizing t...

Welcome! In this first episode, we’ll talk about our goals for the podcast and what you can expect. Anne and Monique share their personal stories of learning in the hospital that their baby was born with down syndrome, what they felt, and how they navigated the reactions of others.