The Lucky Few

Latest Episodes:

THROWBACK: Organ Transplant Discrimination Against People with Disabilities (ft. incredible advocates!) Jan 03, 2023

Show notes

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 + self-advocate w/DS), Bart Devon (senior director of public policy at NDSS), & Christy Sellers (lucky mama of 4 with DS + advocate). We’re talking about the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act, Glory’s Law, the fear and ignorance that has caused this discrimination, and the recent tragedies in the DS community that have added momentum to this movement. It’s time to call your senators and sign up for the NDSS action alerts! Listen to this episode to learn more and get involved.

SHOW NOTES

Visit ndss.org to learn more about all the wonderful things the National Down Syndrome Society is doing and follow them on Instagram.

Take action on the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act HERE!

Keep up with Christy and her family on Facebook - Sellers Magnificent Seven

Listen to our previous episodes about organ transplant discrimination prevention + politics in the DS community.

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: Diversity in the Down Syndrome Community Dec 27, 2022

Show notes

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 mamas shared about what it’s like to google “Down syndrome” and not see a picture of a child that looks like yours, how the recent events in the country have continued to shape them, and why they sought out a group for fellow Black families. The DSDN Black Families group has grown to 1,000 members and we encourage you to join them if you are part of this community. We’re so grateful for these mamas sharing more about their experiences in the DS community!

Learn more about the DSDN Black Families group + other DSDN groups you can join!

LET’S CHAT

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

EPISODE PARTNER: Oxygen Fitness Coaching

Check out fellow lucky mama Megan Libassi’s health and wellness business, Oxygen Fitness Coaching. Mention “the lucky few” and you get A FREE MONTH of coaching!

Instagram: @oxygenfitcoach

Facebook: @oxygenfitcoach

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

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

192. Tis' the Season! Dec 20, 2022

Show notes

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 like there’s an extra pressure on your child with Down syndrome? No matter where you find yourself this holiday season, we’re here to walk you through it (or at least try to). So grab your hot coco, pause the hallmark movie, and join us for a chat about how to prepare your family members (and yourself) for fun (and inclusive) celebrations! Happy Holiday, listeners! We love you and we’ll be back with new episodes in 2023!

SHOW NOTES

Listen to last year’s holiday episode.. 144. How to Keep the Holidays Happy

Limited time offer for Podcast listeners only! The Lucky Few Co has new shirt designs just in time for the holidays! New Narrative Shifter designs for the whole family. Use code “podcast” to get 20% your entire purchase. Tap HERE to shop!

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!

191. Future Planning for the WHOLE Family - ft. Phillip Clark, Enable SNP Dec 13, 2022

Show notes

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 to walk us through his planning strategies that actually work! For your WHOLE family! As a brother to his sister with Down syndrome, Phillip remembers the stress of these tough conversations from a young age, and now he’s determined to give families access to an abundant life for their loved one with Down syndrome. And today he’s giving us the first steps and all his best tips! Plus we’re chatting about the difference between an ABLE account and Special Needs Trust, the best time to start planning, and how Phillip has helped our own families plan for the future of our kiddos. Don’t miss this one! And be sure to check out Enable Special Needs Planning to get started. You won’t regret it!

SHOW NOTES

Listen to our first interview with Phillip Clark: 47. Planning for the Future w/Phillip Clark from Enable SNP

Connect with Phillip and Enable SNP:

Learn more about ABLE Accounts

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!

190. Disability & The Church Pt 2 Dec 06, 2022

Show notes

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? Plus, we’re sharing some examples from you all about what to do (or not to do) when welcoming in a child with a disability. And stay tuned until the end for some resources you can share with your church leadership. Thanks for thinking about these tough topics alongside us!

Listen to episode 179. Disability & The Church

Resources:

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!

189. Motherhood, DS Advocacy, and Selling Funky Hawaiian Shirts (ft. Holly Simon, 21 Pineapples Shirt Co.) Nov 29, 2022

Show notes

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 opportunities and fierce advocacy for everyone. We love Holly’s energy and we’re so excited to chat with her all about what it takes to sell 2 million t-shirts, how to prepare your loved one with DS for life after high school, and why you shouldn’t believe everything you see on social media. We’re also taking a moment to appreciate the magic our loved ones with Down syndrome bring to our everyday lives. We truly are #theluckyfew. Enjoy the episode, friends!

SHOW NOTES

Tap HERE to shop 21 Pineapples!

Follow @21pineapplesshirtco on Instagram and Tik Tok

Follow @natethegreatandlindsey on Instagram

Watch Holly and Nate on the Chicago News

Support 21 Pineapples Foundation

Read “I Am Who I Am” by Holly Simon

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!

188. Our 2022 Holiday Gift Guide! Nov 22, 2022

Show notes

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 much more using our links! It’s time to open your laptop and get ready to make some loved ones very happy.. Bonus points if you shop while watching a holiday movie!

2022 GIFT GUIDE LINKS

Gifts for Kiddos:

Purposeful Play Sensory Bags by Maile Black Strader
Sarah’s Silks
Stretchy Dino Wrap from Fun and Function
Sloomoo Institute (NYC, ATL, CHI)
Everyone Belongs by Heather Avis
Everyone Belongs character set from Sheep Farm Felt
Different - A Great Thing to Be! by Heather Avis

Faith-Based Gifts:

Mary On The Mantel! from Be A Heart Designs
Holy Family Mini Suitcase from Be A Heart Designs

Gifts for Everyone:

New Merchandise from The Lucky Few!

Listen to previous gift guide episodes!

187. Dental Anxiety & Down Syndrome (ft. Dr. Samantha Healy) Nov 15, 2022

Show notes

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 guest! And today (nearly 200 episodes later..) we are SO excited to share an interview with Samantha Healy, a pediatric dentist and mother to a child with Down syndrome. She’s taking us through every moment of her son’s surprising birth story + giving us all the info we need to keep up with our children’s oral hygiene! We’re getting specific about tooth brushes, tooth paste, floss, and more. Samantha also shares her top tips for easing dental anxiety and why you should think twice before sharing a spoon with your baby! Get ready to take some notes! -- SHOW NOTES Find a pediatric dentist here! Check out aapd.org for all the dental info you need! 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!

186. Our Response to the Ableist Comments on Netflix's "Love Is Blind" Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

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 a pediatric speech therapist who is very familiar with children who have Down syndrome. So we have a lot to unpack here.. starting with ableist thinking, bold claims about how people with DS affect their families, Netflix’s lack of acknowledgment, and feeling safe (or maybe not) at our children’s therapy appointments. Remember, just because you love someone with DS (or work with them daily), does not mean you’re not ableist.

(Oh and if you’ve never seen the show, don’t worry! We have a quick wikipedia style breakdown for you).

SHOW NOTES

Follow @mistycoysnyder and @happinessisdownsyndrome on Instagram for more information!

Listen to episode 67. Unpacking Privilege & Understanding Intersectionality w/Jalondra Davis

Read the Elite Daily article we mentioned

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!

185. What if my child with Down syndrome can't? Nov 01, 2022

Show notes

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 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!