The Lucky Few

Latest Episodes:

174. Learning About the Down Syndrome Learning Profile! (ft. Jessica Kuss from the National DS Society) Aug 16, 2022

Show notes

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 document FULL of relevant info for parents and educators. Today, we’re chatting all about what’s inside this document.. everything from the Down syndrome learning profile (knowing about this is a game changer) to the gaps in our IDEA laws, and what on earth we should do with all this info! Who’s ready to rock this #BackToSchool season with us?? (You will be after this episode!)

(Special thank you to the team at NDSS for sharing their resources and lovely staff members with us! Be on the look out for more collaboration episodes with them coming very soon!)

SHOW NOTES

Learn more about the National Down Syndrome Society at ndss.org

Download the Inclusive Education Guidelines HERE
Follow @ndssorg on Instagram!

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!

173. EVERYONE BELONGS by Heather Avis (Behind the Scenes of Her NEW Children's Book- Out NOW!) Aug 08, 2022

Show notes

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 every person a chance to shine.

Today, Heather is in the hot seat to answer all of our questions! We’re chatting about everything from the Gap Kids collaboration, how to use this book as an educational tool, and what able-bodied authors need to consider when writing books about disability. Join us for this conversation then head to heatheravis.com to purchase Everyone Belongs, download the activity kit, and MORE!

Tap HERE to order Everyone Belongs by Heather Avis!

Join us at the Everyone Belongs Book Release Party on Tuesday, 8/9! RSVP HERE.

Check out The Lucky Few’s collaboration with GAP KIDS! #GapKidsBelong

Download the Back to School Kit HERE.

Visit firstbook.org to request Everyone Belongs for your community!

Purchase a You Belong Here pillow, from our collaboration with Dance Happy Designs!

Purchase or review Everyone Belongs on amazon to support Heather!

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!

172. Defining Ableism, Allyship & Advocacy + Redefining "Inclusion" - ft. Dr. Priya Lalvani Aug 02, 2022

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!

171. What does belonging actually mean? (Storytelling Tour Recap with Heather + Josh Avis!) Jul 26, 2022

Show notes

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 and Josh are recapping the whole tour! Everything from heartwarming stories to stressful moments and all the memories made in between. We are SO thankful to everyone who supported the tour. You can learn more about this storytelling project on theluckyfewfoundation.org or @theluckyfewfoundation.

SHOW NOTES

Preorder Everyone Belongs by Heather Avis

Listen to Being Known podcast from Curt Thompson, MD, and follow him on Instagram.

Follow @theluckyfewfoundation to see all the new stories!

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!

170. Why I Became A Pediatrician for Individuals with Down syndrome (ft. Dr. Kishore Vellody) Jul 19, 2022

Show notes

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 with DS, and even delivering the diagnosis. Dr. Vellody also shares about growing up with his older brother, finding out what Down syndrome is (at age 9), and balancing his own life while looking out for his sibling (great tips for parents raising children with and without disabilities in this one).

SHOW NOTES

Listen to the Down Syndrome Center Podcast hosted by Dr. Kishore Vellody

Learn about the Down Syndrome Center of Western Pennsylvania

Check out the Family Toolkit created by the National Down Syndrome Congress

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!

169. The Harm in Using People with Disabilities As "Inspiration" in Clickbait Viral Videos Jul 12, 2022

Show notes

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 episode for you. We’re chatting about what happens when disability is made into a spectacle, the danger in celebrating someone “overcoming” their disability, and the way these viral videos can actually objectify and dehumanize the disability community. Lots to consider in this one, friends. Bottom line: let’s consider our intentions behind what we consume and post.

SHOW NOTES

Dive deeper!

How to Avoid “Inspiration P*rn” from Forbes
Inspiration P*rn by Grace Trumpower

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!

168. When is it time to have "the talk" with your child with Down syndrome? (ft. Dr. Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L) Jul 05, 2022

Show notes

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, medical resources, + more. We’re also chatting about parents being the primary sexual educators for children with Down syndrome, how to respect your child’s autonomy, and of course, the general difficulties of adolescence. You might want to take notes on this one!

Learn more about the Adult Down Syndrome Center in Chicago, IL.

Read Terri Couwenhoven’s book, “Teaching Children with Down syndrome about their Bodies, Boundaries, and Sexuality”

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!

167. Raising A #BossLady (ft. Rebecca Kutcher) Jun 28, 2022

Show notes

“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 exactly what she’s done. Rebecca is sharing stories about Trista making the high school dance team, the first time she went into the grocery store all by herself, the moment she started her own business, and even her thoughts on inclusive employment. We’re also chatting about how to know when your child with DS is ready to take on a new challenge, when/if you need to protect your child for rejection, and even a little therapeutic talk on co-dependency. This one has a little bit of everything.. enjoy!

SHOW NOTES

Keep up with Trista Kutcher!

Instagram: @tristathebarista
Shop: Trista’s Sunshine Co.

Follow @cindypinkceo (the woman who helped Trista start her business!)

Follow @spedadulting (tips on adulting for adults with disabilities)

Listen to our interview with Trista: 137. How to be a #BossLady ft. Trista Kutcher (self-advocate w/DS)

Listen to our interview with Val about employment: 162. What happens after high school? (Ft. Val Schlieder - OT + Producer)

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!

166. An Interview with An #IronFamily - ft. Jazmine & Chad Faries + Patrick Longstreth Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

Jazmine Faries is a woman with Down syndrome who is the focus of Iron Family, a documentary directed and produced by Patrick Longstreth. Today on the podcast, we have Jazmine herself, along with her brother Chad, and the film director, Patrick! For the last seven summers, Jazmine has written extraordinary plays based on her celebrity alter-ego that her family performs each year. Iron Family documents the process of making one of Jazmine’s newest plays: Double Life, which of course features Matthew Mcconaughey (her fave celebrity!) as a main character.

Not only are we chatting about the film, we’re opening up about complicated family dynamics, the search for independence, and even Jazmine’s desire to have children (warning - tears are shed). We hope you enjoy this very honest conversation with these wonderful guests. After you listen, head to all the links in our show notes to support #IronFamilyFilm!

Watch Iron Family Film

Learn more about the film at ironfamilyfilm.com

Keep up with the Jazmine and Patrick

facebook.com/ironfamilyfilm
IG: @patlongstreth
IG: @fariesjazmine
Podcast: Jazmine’s Fairy Tales Reality Incorporated

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!

165. Delivering HOPE w/A New DS Diagnosis (ft. Rick Smith, father + advocate!) Jun 14, 2022

Show notes

Rick Smith is a father of three (including Noah who has Down syndrome), a blogger, an advocate, and the founder of Hope Story! Like so many of us in the DS community, his child’s diagnosis was delivered with an “I’m so sorry,” followed by the doctor offering anti-depressants to his wife. And now, 11 years later, Rick is on a mission to change what happens in the delivery room by educating medical professionals about what it means to live with Down syndrome through his non-profit, Hope Story. Today we’re chatting about dads who advocate, releasing expectations for ALL of your children, what doctors need to know, and even a few tangents about social media advocacy etiquette (trust us - you’ll relate).

You can join Rick by becoming a Hope Advocate (connect with new parents + doctors in your area) with code THELUCKYFEW for a FREE Hope Kit that gives you all the tools you need.

Oh and Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there shouting the worth of your kiddos!

SHOW NOTES

Follow Rick and his family on Instagram and Facebook

Check out hopestory.org

Become a Hope Advocate and use promo code THE LUCKY FEW to get the Hope Kit for FREE.

Follow Hope Story on Instagram and Facebook

Learn more about Hope Story’s partnership with medical professionals

Read Rick’s blog on noahsdad.com

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!