The Lucky Few

Latest Episodes:

200. It's our 5 year anniversary! Mar 14, 2023

Show notes

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 we’re taking you behind the scenes of the last 5 years! Join us for a chat about our origin story, quotes from our guests, and feedback from all of you. It’s been a rollercoaster but the heartbeat of the show remains the same: your child with Down syndrome is enough just as they are.

Thank you SO much to everyone who has supported the show! We love you all so much.

SHOW NOTES

Links to popular episodes:

LET’S CHAT

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!

199. What We Wish We Knew, Had, & Told Ourselves In The First Years… Mar 07, 2023

Show notes

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 therapies..) and what we wish we would have told ourselves to get through those early years. We’re also chatting about the DS groups that provided education, support, and community to us. Looking for a good book? You know the three of us love to read (and write!) so we’ve got you covered with plenty of recommendations: practical advice, encouragement, memoirs, and more!

Bottom line: we know that the Down syndrome diagnosis can feel overwhelming. We wish we didn’t worry so much about all the “what ifs.” Friends, love those sweet babies for the gift that they are. We promise the things you’ll worry about now won’t matter when you see their first smile or hear their sweet giggle. So go snuggle those babies in a moby wrap for us and jot down one of our mantras! You got this.

Learn more about: Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN)

Wish we had:

Moby Wrap ; Hip Helpers ; Bob Stroller

Books we love:

The Lucky Few by Heather Avis

Expecting Adam by Martha Beck

A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations and A Little Girl Named Penny by Amy Julia Becker

Unbound: The Life and Art of Judith Scott by Joyce Scott

Entwined: Sisters and Secrets in the Silent World of Artist Judith Scott by Joyce Scott

The Parent's Guide to Down Syndrome: Advice, Information, Inspiration, and Support for Raising Your Child from Diagnosis through Adulthood by Jennifer Jacobs

Babies with Down syndrome: A New Parents Guide

198. The Best We Can: An Unscripted Conversation on Inclusion In Our Schools Feb 28, 2023

Show notes

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 spaces made to actually accommodate children with disabilities or to make others feel more comfortable?

Bottom line: giving someone a seat at the table or a high five in the hallway isn’t inclusion. Creating spaces where every human feels seen, known, and safe makes all the difference. And we know that the school system CAN work for some children in some places, but most days we feel pretty defeated. And strangely, it’s both devastating and comforting to know we’re not alone in this struggle with the education system. Friends, tomorrow’s a new day, so for today we’ll do the best we can.

SHOW NOTES

Check out this post from Common Ground Society about the recent study on inclusive education in CA.

Learn more about the Inclusive Education Project

LET’S CHAT

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!

197. Exposing The Roots (Racism, Ableism, Microagressions, + More) Feb 21, 2023

Show notes

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 society, and in order to make lasting changes for future generations, we need to put in the hard (sometimes uncomfortable) work. And that’s what this episode is all about. We’re discussing microaggressions towards the Black and disabled communities, how we challenge systems to change, why separate programs can sometimes be a valuable asset, and what inclusion looks like in our own lives. We hope you join us for this important conversation about all these topics + more… ableism, the intrinsic worth of every human, you know, super lighthearted discussion right?!

SHOW NOTES

Listen to the episodes we mentioned!

Check out these shows!

The Hair Tales on Hulu
The 1619 Project on Hulu

Follow @sonnysideup_syndrome who we mentioned in our good news!

LET’S CHAT

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!

196. Couples Q & A! (ft. our husbands) Feb 14, 2023

Show notes

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 after the diagnosis?

We’re not experts or anything friends, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned it’s that lots of grace, vulnerability, and some therapy can go a long way. Join us for this fun and practical conversation all about parenting styles, nontraditional partner roles, ableism in the household, + more! And no matter what you’re up to this Valentine’s day, we love you!

SHOW NOTES

Listen to previous episodes that include our husbands!

LET’S CHAT

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!

195. Connecting with the Black Down Syndrome Association (ft. Kelli Caughman & Crystal Lotterberry) Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

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 Black individuals with DS face, tokenism vs. intentionality, and how we can advocate and support every member of the DS community.

Note: we had some technical issues during recording.. but this episode was too good not to air. Thanks for understanding, friends!

Learn more about the Black Down Syndrome Association on their website

Keep up with our guests and the Black Down Syndrome Association

Follow BDSA on Instagram
Like BDSA on Facebook
Follow Kelli Caughman on Instagram
Follow Crystal Lotterberry on Instagram

Learn more about the theme of this Black History Month, “Black Resistance” HERE

Join the Black Families Down Syndrome Network group on Facebook or find the DSDN group that’s right for you!

Listen to our previous episodes with Kelli Caughman!

194. Undoing Ableism & Telling True Stories with April Aguilera (writer of "For Paloma") Jan 31, 2023

Show notes

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 Paloma,” and disability representation in the media. We’re also getting vulnerable about mental health and recognizing how individuals with DS invite us to recognize our own worth.. you might need a tissue for this one!

Be sure to keep listening to hear about April’s newest project, a feature film based on the life of Judith Scott, a renowned artist with DS. If you’re not familiar with her work, head to google ASAP!

So much goodness and relatability in this episode, friends. Don’t miss it.

SHOW NOTES

Follow @forpalomathemovie and @april_m_aguilera on Instagram!

Learn more about April Aguilera here.

Learn more about For Paloma here.

Read “Entwined” by Judith Wallace Scott

LET’S CHAT

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!

193. Lets catch up! Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

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 this year! Who’s with us!?

Join us for a chat about all the things on our minds as we head into this new year.. therapy schedules, goal setting, medical vs holistic interventions, attending to our children's individual needs, and so much MORE. Thanks for joining us!

SHOW NOTES

Read the article: “What The Longest Study on Human Happiness Found Is The Key To A Good Life”

Check out the podcast Micha mentioned here.

LET’S CHAT

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!

THROWBACK: What if my child with Down syndrome can't? Jan 17, 2023

Show notes

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 achieve all the things our society celebrates. Are they still worthy? Where does our value come from if not accomplishments? Our kids have been the greatest invitation to see the worth in others (and ourselves) apart from achievements.. and today we’re talking about why. We’re also chatting about how to share content about our children in honorable ways and how to receive content about other people’s children without comparing. Plus we’re exploring the “dark side to positive representation” that causes us to only celebrate people with DS who act the most like people without DS. WOW! So much to unpack here, friends. It’s a good one.

SHOW NOTES

Read Heather’s blog: What If My Child With Down Syndrome Can’t?

Read “DOWNism: When You’re not Even Good Enough for Your Own Community, or…The Dark Side of Positive Representation”

Read “My Mistake, My Bad”

LET’S CHAT

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!

THROWBACK: Defining Ableism, Allyship & Advocacy + Redefining "Inclusion" - ft. Dr. Priya Lalvani Jan 10, 2023

Show notes

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 the term “fully included?” Why don’t we teach about disability in the classroom? What does it mean to be an advocate vs an ally?

There is SO much to dive into here, friends. We hope you join us for this important conversation about ableism, disability rights, body normativity, dehumanization, a brief note on ABA.. and so much more.

SHOW NOTES

Read Constructing the (M)other by Dr. Priya Lalvani

Follow Dr. Lalvani on Twitter at priya_lalvani

Listen to #88. (Un)learning the Advocacy Language

LET’S CHAT

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!