The Lucky Few

Latest Episodes:

164. Choosing Your (Summer) Battles Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

School’s out for summer! When it comes to this time of year.. the excitement for all sorts of activities is at an all time high! But what happens if your kids can’t just fit in at church camp? Or if they need accommodations during swim lessons? Where can our children with disabilities enjoy their summer activities safely? Where will be they included? And what will we do if they aren’t included? So many questions for us to consider! That’s why today we’re chatting about strategies for summer fun.. social stories, email templates for counselors, clear expectations, and MORE. We’re also figuring out our thoughts on sleepovers and just being away from our kiddos in general. There’s a lot to relate to in this one and we hope you do.

SHOW NOTES

Check out Micha’s recommendation for finding your slow summer here.

Pre-order Everyone Belongs by Heather Avis HERE.

Get a special TWO-FOR-ONE deal on Heather’s new book, Everyone Belongs 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!

163. What does success mean to you? May 31, 2022

Show notes

As parents of children with Down syndrome, we’ve sat through too many school meetings and doctors appointments walking away feeling the world thinks our kid is not enough just because they haven’t met other people’s expectations. And we know that’s not true but how DO we measure success for our children with DS? Maybe you’ve learned to not compare your child to their peers without DS but how do you keep yourself from comparing them to their peers who also have DS? We asked tons of mothers these questions at the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network’s Rockin’ Moms Retreat a few months ago and today we’re sharing their answers. And here’s the most important thing we heard: our kids will define their own success. Lets let them do that, friends. Enjoy the episode!

SHOW NOTES

Learn more about the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network.

Get involved with The Lucky Few Foundation’s Summer Storytelling Tour HERE.

Pre-order Everyone Belongs by Heather Avis 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!

162. What happens after high school? (Ft. Val - Recent OT Grad + TLFP Producer!) May 24, 2022

Show notes

So what happens when someone with Down syndrome graduates high school? When the structure and support from the education system ends, what begins? Today we’re talking about inclusive employment for adults with Down syndrome with our very own, Val Schlieder! She recently earned her doctorate degree in occupational therapy, produces this podcast, and is also very involved in her local DS community! As part of her OT schooling, she created an employment-prep program for adults with DS that focused on problem solving, social appropriateness, self-advocacy, & so much more. Today she’s sharing about the barriers to inclusive employment (hint: ableism!), the importance of autonomy, all the things people with DS ADD to a workplace, and how parents of young kiddos can start thinking about the future. Enjoy this episode, friends!

SHOW NOTES

Listen to our previous episode with Val and her sister to learn more about fostering friendships with peers who have DS: 43. Back to School & All Things Best Buddies ft. Val Schlieder

Learn more about GiGi’s Playhouse in EP 59: Finding Community at GiGi’s Playhouse w/Nancy Gianni

Listen to more episodes about future opportunities for adults with Down syndrome.

Get involved with The Lucky Few Foundation’s Summer Storytelling Tour HERE.

Pre-order Everyone Belongs by Heather Avis 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!

161. Let's Talk About Abortion & Disability May 17, 2022

Show notes

You’ve probably seen the recent debates about abortion in the news and on social media. We’re not here to get political but these debates do give us the opportunity to call out a huge issue: people on both sides see individuals with disabilities as less than human. And today we’re talking about it (as best as we can). Because we acknowledge the amount of support it takes to raise a child with Down syndrome and the way that having certain privileges makes things a little simpler. And we also know that our systems don’t support our children well once they’re born. So much change needs to happen.. and we think changing the perception of Down syndrome is a good place to start. You’re invited to sit in this discomfort and uncertainty with us as we discuss disability, abortion, and the value of a human.

SHOW NOTES

Check out the post we mention from Amy Julia Becker.

Listen to previous episodes about abortion and disability:

Get involved with The Lucky Few Foundation’s Summer Storytelling Tour HERE.

Pre-order Everyone Belongs by Heather Avis 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!

160. Organ Transplant Discrimination Against People with Disabilities (ft. incredible advocates!) May 10, 2022

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!

159. The Trouble With Self-Care May 03, 2022

Show notes

Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt alienated by the pressure to practice “self-care!” (We know we have). And today as Mother’s Day approaches, we’re chatting about the trouble with many self-care practices and giving our own definitions to this popular term. As parents of kids with disabilities, most of us already feel like we’re at max capacity, so how can we schedule in a yoga session or weekly date night? We can’t just leave our kids with any babysitter and take off for the evening. Don’t worry, we’re not just ranting about our (failed) self-care practices in this episode.. we’re talking about actual ways to nurture ourselves (starting by admitting our limitations as humans), + our thoughts leading up to Mother’s Day. We’re holding the weight of the holiday for anyone who has experienced grief and complications related to it.

Plus, Heather is giving a sneak peak into The Lucky Few Foundation’s Storytelling Tour! Head to theluckyfewfoundation.org to learn more and get involved. Whatever your definition of self-care is, and however you’re celebrating Mother’s Day, we see you, we appreciate you, and we are cheering you on!

SHOW NOTES

Get involved with The Lucky Few Foundation’s Storytelling Tour!

Listen to our past Mother’s Day episodes:

Read Someone Other Than A Mother by Erin Lane

Learn more about The Moth Storytelling Events

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!

158. Faith, Healing, & Disability, ft. Amy Julia Becker (Mother/Author) Apr 26, 2022

Show notes

It’s no secret that far too often, our loved ones with Down syndrome are seen as “problems” to be “fixed,” individuals in desperate need of “healing” or medicine.. whatever that might be. While we know this is NOT the case, our society’s love of “perfection,” prescriptions and productivity has ALL of us chasing unattainable goals of “success.” But what if we pursued healing instead?

Today we have Amy Julia Becker, a wife, mother, and author, on to discuss family, faith, and disability. And she’s well equipped to do so. Her new book “To Be Made Well” provides unique insight into personal, spiritual, and social healing from her perspective as a mother to a 16 year old child with Down syndrome. We’re so grateful she’s joined us to chat about the gift of having limitations, the intrinsic value of individuals with disabilities, holistic approaches to healing, + more.

SHOW NOTES

Read To Be Made Well by Amy Julia Becker

Listen to Amy Julia Becker’s podcast, Love Is Stronger Than Fear

Follow Amy Julia Becker on Instagram

Head to amyjuliabecker.com for more information!

Listen to ep 26, our previous interview with Amy Julia Becker

Click HERE to join Micha's book club!

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!

157. Sibling Dynamics & Down Syndrome Apr 19, 2022

Show notes

When you receive your child’s Down syndrome diagnosis, your mind imagines a thousand different scenarios for how their life will go.. but what happens when we consider their siblings? What happens when they realize that the world won’t always be kind to their sibling with Down syndrome? Are they annoyed with each other because that’s their sibling or because they have Down syndrome? How do help our kids connect with one another?

We’re chatting about all things SIBLINGS today! Join us as we discuss what it’s like to parent children with and without DS! We’re talking everything from dividing time between activities and therapies, figuring out how-not-to overburden any of our children, and how to share about DS with your kiddos. It can be complicated but we know one thing for sure.. our kids with Down syndrome have a special way of anchoring the family and reminding everyone of their value and worth.

SHOW NOTES

Check out the book we mentioned, We’ll Paint the Octopus Red by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen

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!

156. From Special Educator to Education Advocate, ft. Markeisha Hall Apr 12, 2022

Show notes

Markeisha Hall is a mother to 4, including her autistic son, a former special educator, an IEP expert, a podcaster, and so much more! And today she’s joined us to chat all about practical tips to take with you to your next IEP meeting (hint: send notes to the WHOLE team ahead of time, bring someone with you, & stay focused). Plus, she’s giving us insight into the minds of the teachers as they prepare for IEP meetings and sharing about why it’s important for parents to chat with each other about their child’s IEP services! Communication is KEY. Markeisha also opens up about the process of receiving her son’s autism diagnosis while in the middle of adopting him and what it was like going from a special educator to a parent of an autistic son. We’re so grateful for her powerful story and sound wisdom!

SHOW NOTES

Follow @markeisha_hall on Instagram!

Listen to the Markeisha Hall Podcast

And for more, check out Markeisha’s website: markeishahall.com

Listen to ep 94: IEPs during Covid-19, ft. IEP Lawyers Vickie Brett & Amanda Selogie

EPISODE PARTNER: Canopy

Download the Canopy app to keep your child safe on the internet! You can try it FREE for 30 days!

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!

155. A Candid Conversation About Raising a Child with A Dual Diagnosis Apr 05, 2022

Show notes

Hey friends, it’s April! And in honor of April being Autism Acceptance Month, we’re chatting about Micha’s journey parenting Ace, her son with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism. And before we get started, we want to just say that we’re not experts on this topic and we are approaching it as learners. That’s why we’re grateful for the many autistic adults who share their stories for us all to learn from! And we appreciate your grace as we navigate this conversation too. So join us as we discuss finding community in the dual diagnosis space, the complexities of ABA therapy, and the root behind our hopes and dreams for our children. Let's keep learning together!

SHOW NOTES

Follow @open_future_learning on Instagram!

Check out this new resource on Down syndrome and Autism that Dr. Spinazzi shared!

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!