The Lucky Few

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...

What happens when our kids with disabilities are rejected from a space that claims to offer acceptance and love to all? Has anyone ever prayed that your child would be “healed” from Down syndrome? Can people with disabilities have meaningful relationships with God? We’re asking some tough questions today that all lead back to this one.. how is disability perceived in the church? No matter what you...

Did you know? The life expectancy for individuals with Down syndrome has increased from age 25 in 1980 to age 60 today. That means that people with DS have more opportunities today than ever before. While we celebrate this growth, we also know that aging brings about new challenges.. How does an extra 21st chromosome increase the likelihood for Alzheimer’s? Do the laws in place to promote healthy...

Many of us parents felt a confusing mix of fear, worry, and maybe even a little bit of grief when we received our child’s DS diagnosis. Maybe you felt those things too? We can easily lose the joy of having the baby to the fear of receiving the diagnosis. Today we’re here to tell you that there is SO much happiness on the other side of the diagnosis. And who better to chat about that than our frien...

GiGi Gianni is 20 years old. She enjoys singing, dancing, and spending time with her boyfriend. Oh and one more thing, she inspired a global movement! Today we’re talking about THE GiGi behind GiGi’s Playhouse - a network of Down syndrome centers in over 82 countries that offers free programming for individuals with DS across the lifespan. We’re so thankful to have Nancy Gianni (founder of GP) &am...

Friends! We’re headed back to school and we have ALL the feels about it.. especially after the rollercoaster of last year! Maybe you’re feeling this way too?! That’s why today we’re answering all of YOUR questions! What to do when you move to a new district? How to find the right classroom aide? What should homeschooling look like? How to stay on top of an IEP? And MORE. We’ve got it all covered!...

We know that going #BackToSchool isn’t always easy.. so we’re here to support you! We have Jessica Kuss (the Senior Manager of Education Programs for the National Down Syndrome Society - no big deal right!) on today’s episode. She is a mother of 2 (including a son with DS) + a former special educator! Jessica was even part of the team at NDSS who just released the Inclusive Education Guidelines, a...

Friends! Today is the day.. “Everyone Belongs” by Heather Avis is out NOW! It’s a joyful rhyming book that encourages children to not only value all people but to also make room for their differences in order to make a better, brighter, and more beautiful world. “ Everyone Belongs” reminds us that it’s possible to make room for all people and all abilities—and that life is brighter when we give ev...

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...

How do we tell the true and real story of what it means to have Down syndrome… That question was the inspiration behind The Lucky Few Foundation and why the Avis family just spent the last MONTH on the road! They travelled over 6,000 miles and collected nearly 300 narrative shifting stories! Along the way, they met so many incredible advocates and individuals with Down syndrome. And today, Heather...

Dr. Kishore Vellody is a pediatrician who runs the Down Syndrome Center of Western Pennsylvania (AKA he has the best job ever), a sibling to his older brother with DS, and a strong advocate amongst medical professionals. We’re so glad he’s joined us today to discuss some important medical information: new guidelines for healthcare from the American Academy of Pediatrics, life expectancy for people...

Have you ever heard the term, “inspiration p*rn?” Think of those videos that show a high schooler with Down syndrome winning homecoming queen, or the star quarterback being praised for sitting next to someone with a disability at lunch. Why is the internet so eager to consume these clickbait videos? If you’ve ever encountered an interaction like this that you feeling a little cringey.. this is the...

Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt nervous to have “the talk” with your children.. and especially your children with Down syndrome! (All hands raised over here!) We know it’s a hard conversation but it is SO important. So today our guest is Dr. Katie Frank, an occupational therapist + expert on all things disability and sexuality. She’s here to educate us on boundaries, safety precautions, medica...

“Why not just give it a try?” became Rebecca’s motto as she raised her oldest of three daughters: Trista Kutcher. Today, Trista is a 33-year-old woman with Down syndrome running her own business, living independently, and being a role model to SO many.. including the Avis kids! Heather had the chance to sit down with Trista’s mom, Rebecca, to chat about raising a #BossLady, and you’ll see.. that’s...