The Lucky Few

For the last 5 years, we’ve worked hard to bring you expert resources, meaningful connections, and loving encouragement each and every week. And we’re so grateful for those of you who have stuck with us for the last 200 episodes! This is a milestone we are celebrating with ALL of you! You’ve listened to us navigate parenthood, education, new diagnoses, and so much more with our kiddos. And today w...

Take it from us, parenting is hard and those first years can feel like the hardest, especially with an unexpected diagnosis. But we promise that when you look back, you’re going to remember the sweet moments the most. Today’s episode is for all the new parents in the Down syndrome community. We’re sharing all the items we wish we used, the wisdom we wish we had (especially when it comes to all the...

Raise your hand if the phone number of your kid's school popping up makes your stomach drop? Hands raised over here too, friends. Today, we (Heather + Josh Avis) are chatting about recent challenges with our children’s IEPs.. what’s working, what’s not working, and why we’ve hired a lawyer. We’re asking tough questions.. Why does it feel like this system is built on something broken? Are separate...

Friends! Did you know that not only are we in the middle of Black History Month but also Inclusion Month?! Today we’re honoring the adversities faced by advocates before us and celebrating the changes we’re making now that will impact future generations. After all, the end goal is the same: creating spaces of belonging for everyone, and we mean everyone. And we know we’re in a vulnerable moment in...

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends! In honor of the holiday, we have three very special guests joining us.. Josh, Andy, & Chris! That’s right! We each sat down with our husbands to answer all of your questions about relationship dynamics and Down syndrome. How do you make time for each other (and away from each other)? How do you team up to advocate for your child? How do you process your feelings...

Happy February, friends! We’re celebrating Black History Month with two of our favorite mamas (and returning guests!), Kelli Caughman and Crystal Lotterberry. Both of these ladies are raising kids with Down syndrome while running their new non-profit organization: The Black Down Syndrome Association. And friends, the work they’re doing is SO good. Today we’re talking about the many inequalities Bl...

April Aguilera is a mother of three beautiful girls, including her daughter Paloma, who has Down syndrome. She is also the writer of the short film, “For Paloma,” that stars brilliant actors with DS and details a mother’s unexpected journey through receiving a birth diagnosis. We’re so grateful April has joined us today to chat about undoing ableism as a mother of a disabled child, creating “For P...

It’s a new year and we have a new recording platform! Which means we now have access to sound effects.. so you’re welcome for that! We’re back with new episodes all year long, starting with a conversation about what we’ve been up to these last couple of months and what we’re doing (or better yet, NOT doing) in 2023! We’re rejecting hustle culture and prioritizing connections over accomplishments t...

You know how much we love celebrating people with Down syndrome all year long! We’re so excited for all the amazing self-advocates doing big things. But if you’re a parent of a child with DS who felt a little lost, sad, and maybe even lied to when you see certain posts on the internet.. then this episode is for you. We’re chatting about what happens when your child with Down syndrome doesn’t achie...

Dr. Priya Lalvani began working with previously institutionalized adults with disabilities in her early twenties.. she later gave birth to her now 20 year old daughter with Down syndrome. She’s been thinking pretty deeply about disability rights for many years and today she’s invited us to do the same. We’re questioning some common practices that might actually be rooted in ableism.. Why do we use...

Did you know that individuals with Down syndrome are frequently denied organ transplants? Just because they have a disability. We can’t believe this is a thing that’s still happening, but we are SO glad that there are people pushing back on this discrimination. Today in this episode, we are sharing two very important interviews with some extraordinary activists: Charlotte Woodward (NDSS employee +...

Hey friends! We want to (re)share a VERY important episode with all of you.. A few months ago we had the chance to attend the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network Rockin’ Mom’s Retreat and meet SO many wonderful women! And our girl Mercedes grabbed a microphone and sat down with a few lucky mamas from the DSDN Black Families group to chat all about diversity within the Down syndrome community! These ma...

Tis the season to be jolly.. and maybe also a little stressed?! Because let’s face it, the holidays are filled with fun and joy and magic but they can also get a little complicated. What are some of the challenges you’re anticipating? Maybe your family members have unrealistic expectations of your children with disabilities? Maybe your kiddos get a little overstimulated at times? Maybe you feel li...

When it comes to thinking about the future for your child with Down syndrome, we know that even hearing the words “special needs trust” can be stressful! How do you even begin to save enough money? What will happen to your son or daughter if something happens to you? What is expected of their siblings? So much to unpack here. That’s why we’re thankful to have Phillip Clark on the show once again t...

You asked for it, friends! We’re back with another important conversation about disability in the church! We really appreciate all the feedback you gave us and we’re diving into it today. We’re asking.. Are disability ministries actually creating more separation in the church? Do pastors receive training on inclusion in seminary? And who’s responsibility is it to get inclusive practices started? P...

Holly Simon is a mama on an advocacy mission.. all because of her son Nate, who was born with Down syndrome almost 20 years ago! Now, he’s the CEO of 21 Pineapples, a t-shirt company that’s changing the world, one Hawaiian shirt at a time. And though Nate is the face of 21 Pineapples, Holly’s goal is to use this opportunity to support the WHOLE disabilities community.. with creative employment opp...

Tis’ the season to support small business that are shifting the narrative in BIG ways! Check out our 2022 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE for our personal recommendations on gifts for everyone (and we mean EVERYONE) in your life. We’re shouting out diverse companies that support our community and sell wonderful products! Shop for books and bikes, art pieces and experiences, silk toys and sensory bins, + so muc...

If you’ve been with us since the beginning then you might remember why this podcast started.. Micha was looking for more information on the best toothbrush for her son with Down syndrome. She and Heather quickly realized there was no information out there about dentistry and DS.. and especially no podcasts about it. So they called Mercedes and started this one.. vowing to have a dentist on as a gu...

You’ve probably seen the conversation surrounding Down syndrome and abortion that recently took place on Netflix’s popular dating show, “Love Is Blind.” When discussing family planning with her new fiancé, a contestant on the show stated that she would likely terminate a pregnancy if given a Down syndrome diagnosis, after seeing the “trauma” it causes a family. Here’s the thing: this contestant is...

We had SO much fun celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October. We featured many wonderful self-advocates who are shifting the DS narrative in big ways. And we’re so excited for all of them. But if you’re a parent of a child with DS who felt a little lost, sad, and maybe even lied to this past month.. then this episode is for you. We’re chatting about what happens when your child with Dow...

Madison Tevlin is a young woman with Down syndrome who enjoys listening to music, hanging out with her friends, and hosting her own talk show (she’s basically living OUR dream). In her mini interview series titled “Who do you think I am?” Madison connects with people from diverse backgrounds to get to the heart of who they really are. When she’s not on camera, she’s busting myths about Down syndro...

Matthew Schwab is a 25 year old man with Down syndrome who is absolutely slaying it at life. There’s no better way to describe him! Since we last chatted with him in 2020, Matthew has moved into an apartment with his brother and started his own podcast! He’s officially entered the world of “adulting” where there’s no one around to remind you to do your chores! Today we’re chatting about the highs...

When it came time for Jeremy to move away from home, he soon realized that the housing options available didn’t suit him. That’s until his older brother Nathaniel (who you may recognize from episode 122) started Cohome, an inclusive housing program in Morristown, New Jersey. Today, Jeremy lives independently at Cohome and spends his time working at a restaurant, ballroom dancing, and book writing....

Happy Down Syndrome Awareness Month! We’re celebrating all month long with guests who are rockin’ an extra chromosome! And today we have a very special sibling duo.. Anthony & Dana Sciullo from @ndssorg ! Ever wondered what sibling relationships will look like when your kids with and without DS are all grown up.. our guests today are giving us a little sneak peek! Plus, we’re getting real abou...

Carissa Carroll is a fellow lucky mama on a mission to make sure every baby is celebrated and every family is congratulated. That’s why she started Jack’s Basket, a non-profit organization that hand delivers complimentary gift baskets to families with a new DS diagnosis. And THIS week, they are celebrating their 6,000th baby! Whoa! So today we’re chatting about all the things that medical provider...