The Lucky Few

Latest Episodes:

110. Parenting A Teenager w/Down Syndrome, ft. Jen Jones Apr 13, 2021

Show notes

What do you do when your oldest child realizes her little sister will begin driving soon and wonders why they can’t do the same? Or when they ask for a not so “age-appropriate” toy as a gift? How do you navigate parenting a teenager with Down syndrome and all of the complexities that come with it?

We asked Jen Jones, (wife, mother, & lifestyle coach) these tough questions and she’s sharing her 16 years of experience raising her oldest daughter Addie, who has Down syndrome. We’re chatting about everything from puberty, friendships, family dynamics, and post high-school plans. Plus, we’re talking openly about how our own expectations for our children impact the way we see them and raise them. If you’ve ever wondered about anything related to adolescence and Down syndrome, this one’s for you.

SHOW NOTES

Follow Jen Jones on Instagram!

Check out “The Care and Keeping Of You: The Body Book For Younger Girls”

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!

CHECK OUT HEATHER’S NEW BOOK

Preorder “Different, A Great Thing To Be” by Heather Avis

109. Let's talk about the Covid-19 Vaccine - ft. Dr. Spinazzi Apr 06, 2021

Show notes

With so much talk about the Covid-19 vaccine, it’s hard to know what to believe! And when we’re trying our best to protect our loved ones with Down syndrome, it gets even more complicated. That’s why we are so glad to have Dr. Spinazzi back on the podcast to break down all the science behind the vaccine - in terms that even we can understand! Dr. Spinazzi is an accomplished pediatrician, the medical director of a Down syndrome specific clinic, and our (unofficial) podcast doctor! Today, we’re chatting about why people with DS and their caretakers have been prioritized to receive the vaccine, common myths surrounding the vaccine, and where the distrust of modern medicine might come from. Dr. Spinazzi reminds us that of all the stages of this pandemic (from making bread to making tik toks), she believes we are entering a stage of hope.

SHOW NOTES

Learn more about Charlie’s Clinic

For more information about Covid-19 and Down Syndrome, visit T21 Research Society

Read more about the vaccine from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center

Check out the AAC devices we mentioned:

For more resources on AAC:

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!

CHECK OUT HEATHER’S NEW BOOK

Preorder “Different, A Great Thing To Be” by Heather Avis

108. The One Where We Interview Our Kids Apr 01, 2021

Show notes

We’re finishing the month of March with a very special interview with our favorite self-advocates.. our own children! That’s right, we have Ace, Sunny, Macy, and August on the podcast today for a sweet convo complete with a special “wheels on the bus” number just for you all! Plus the kids are telling us all about their favorite tv shows, sports, and music — don’t miss an update on Heather’s Beyonce NY’s resolution! They’re also answering the question: “What is your favorite thing about yourself?” and the responses are sweeter than we even imagined.

We’re also chatting about The Lucky Few’s newest project: This Is Down Syndrome, a collection of stories to capture the true experience of people with DS and their loved ones! Find out how you can join us in shifting the narrative by visiting thisisdownsyndrome.com.

SHOW NOTES

Read The grief and gift of mothering a child with Down syndromeby Micha Boyett

Check out The Lucky Few’s newest project: This Is Down Syndrome online and 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!

CHECK OUT HEATHER’S NEW BOOK

Preorder “Different, A Great Thing To Be” by Heather Avis

107. Cookies & Confidence w/Collette Divitto (Collettey's Cookies) Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

Collette Divitto graduated college and moved to Boston with the hopes of finding a job and getting her adult life started. But when she got there, every job she applied for told her she just “wasn’t the right fit.” So she took matters into her own hands and turned her famous chocolate chip cookie recipe into a successful company. And Collettey’s Cookies was born. Today, Collette is an accomplished business owner and well-known public speaker.. her favorite thing to ask people is “Why are you so surprised?” We’re so excited to have her on the show to chat about inclusive employment, self-advocacy, and of course — cookies! Be sure to check out Collettey’s Cookies for gifts, weddings, corporate events, and more!

Follow Collette on Instagram: @colletteyscookies

Order cookies from colletteys.com

Check out Collette’s nonprofit: Collettey’s Leadership

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!

CHECK OUT HEATHER’S NEW BOOK

Preorder “Different, A Great Thing To Be” by Heather Avis

BONUS: 21 Things We Love About Down Syndrome! Mar 21, 2021

Show notes

Happy World Down Syndrome Day, friends! It’s 3/21 and that means today the 3 of us are sharing 21 things we LOVE about Down syndrome! From the good news, the dance moves, the button noses, and all the smiles and snuggles in between, there is SO much to celebrate today. We’re especially grateful that our loved ones with Down syndrome have set the pace for our families, taught us how to dance like no one is watching (literally), and have connected us with this community.

Oh and happy 3-year-podaversary to us! Thanks for sticking around for so many episodes. We truly are #TheLuckyFew.

Be sure to watch!

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!

CHECK OUT HEATHER’S NEW BOOK

Preorder “Different, A Great Thing To Be” by Heather Avis

106. "A Life Meant to be Lived," w/Karen Gaffney (Self-Advocate & Open-Water Swimmer) Mar 16, 2021

Show notes

She’s the first person with Down syndrome to swim across the English Channel, she’s spoken to crowds across the nation, she’s started a non-profit foundation, she’s earned an honorary doctorate degree, she’s been a hard working employee for several years and she hasn’t let this pandemic stop her. She’s Karen Gaffney. And today she’s telling us all about her motto: “Down syndrome is a life meant to be lived.”

From open water swims nearly 9 miles long (sometimes with no wetsuit!), to academic and employment success, and all the public speaking engagements in between, Karen is shifting the narrative in big ways. We are SO thankful she’s here with us to chat about a lifetime of self-advocacy, her non-profit foundation, and all the daily routines (including 2 mile swims before work) that keep her going! Plus, Karen’s mom jumps on the interview to share her perspective as Karen’s mother. You don’t want to miss this one, friends!

___

SHOW NOTES

Check out the Karen Gaffney Foundation website and Facebook page!

Watch Karen’s TedX Talk: I have one more chromosome than you. So what?

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!

CHECK OUT HEATHER’S NEW BOOK

Preorder “Different, A Great Thing To Be” by Heather Avis

105. The Grace Effect w/Grace & Linda Strobel Mar 09, 2021

Show notes

When it comes to inclusion in the modeling industry, we don’t always see people with disabilities on the front page. But Grace Strobel, a 24 year old self advocate with Down syndrome, is on a mission to shift this narrative both on and off camera. Not only is Grace a professional model, she is an extraordinary public speaker who inspires her audience with what she calls, “The Grace Effect,” (AKA kindness and respect!). Tune in for our chat with Grace and her mother Linda as we discuss why she started public speaking and who she hopes to inspire. Enjoy!

Keep up with Grace Strobel!

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!

CHECK OUT HEATHER’S NEW BOOK

Preorder “Different, A Great Thing To Be” by Heather Avis

104. Becoming An Ironman w/Chris Nikic & Coach Dan Grieb Mar 02, 2021

Show notes

Imagine swimming 2.4 miles, riding a bike 112 miles, running 26.2 miles, and then finishing the race and making history. That’s Chris Nikic, he became the first person with Down syndrome to ever complete an Ironman back in November of 2020. Today we are thrilled to chat with Chris and his coach, Dan Grieb, all about their journey to the Ironman. We’re covering everything from how they met, how they trained, and how Dan’s life has changed since meeting Chris. And they’re detailing exactly what happened behind the scenes during the Ironman, let’s just say that not even fire ants or a bike crash could stop Chris! In his words, he “tore doors open and kicked down barriers” and we are so grateful for him.

Keep up with Chris and Dan!

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!

CHECK OUT HEATHER’S NEW BOOK

Preorder “Different, A Great Thing To Be” by Heather Avis

103. An Important Conversation About The Black Disabled Lives Matter Movement w/Elena Fong Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

We’ve talked a lot about the Black Lives Matter movement this past year, and today we’re learning more about the Black Disabled Lives Matter movement from Elena Fong. She is a wife, mother of two children (one with Down syndrome), and an advocate navigating this space as a mixed race woman. Elena is not afraid to stand up for justice and has made it her mission to educate her community on the intersection of race and disability, particularly when it comes to police brutality. We’re so thankful she’s here to walk us through some startling statistics, what defunding the police actually means, and how to turn anger into action. We’re also chatting about how parenting her daughter has revealed more about her identity than ever before. You don’t want to miss out on this insightful conversation!

Follow Elena Fong on Instagram: @lifewithwynterandnova and be sure to check out her “Black Disabled Lives Mural” highlight!

See more work from Jen White Johnson here.

Check out this list of children’s books recommended by Mercedes!

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!

CHECK OUT HEATHER’S NEW BOOK

Preorder “Different, A Great Thing To Be” by Heather Avis

102. "More Than A Moment," w/Kelli Caughman Feb 16, 2021

Show notes

Kelli Caughman is a mother, wife, and a leading Black advocate in the Down syndrome community. Not only is she the Black Families Director for the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network, she created the Black Family Village in Indiana and serves on the board of Gigi’s Playhouse in Indiana. We’re so thankful for everything Kelli brings to our DS community and we’re especially grateful she’s joining us for another important conversation during Black History Month. Today, we’re exploring the reasons behind the lack of diversity on social media, the mental strain on Black advocates over the past year, and tangible steps to take towards becoming anti-racist. It’s time to listen, learn, and engage in relationships with people who are different from you online and IRL.

Keep up with Kelli Caughman

Listen to our previous episode with Kelli Caughman here.

Check out her IG post we discussed during the episode here. You don’t want to miss this one!

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!

CHECK OUT HEATHER’S NEW BOOK