The Lucky Few

Latest Episodes:

302. Extended School Year.. To do or not to do? Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

We’re talking about a not-so-fun part of summer today.. summer school! Specifically, extended school year (ESY) for our children with Down syndrome.

What is extended school year? Is it necessary?
Are our kids in ESY this summer?
Will our kids regress if they don’t go to summer school? Or is traveling/playing throughout the summer also a beneficial learning opportunity?

This is an interesting conversation about what it means to be a student with a disability, why inclusion during the school year is an important set-up for summer success, and how privilege plays a role in all of this. We think you’ll learn a lot from this episode, friends. Enjoy!

SPONSORS

National Down Syndrome Society

iCanShine Programs

Down for Greens

Rods Heroes

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Join us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $4.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Enjoy bonus episodes where we dive deeper into the most controversial issues, shop discounts, and more! Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today!

301. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Are NOT Bad Words w/Brandy Coleman Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to a new season of The Lucky Few Podcast! We’re starting off strong with an episode all about… diversity, equity, and inclusion. Because these are more than just buzz words, friends. Let’s talk about it:

What is DEI? What is it NOT?
Recent changes to DEI standards.. have we seen these changes in our own lives?
The intersection of race and disability

We’re also introducing our guest host for the season.. Brandy Coleman! She’s an advocate, educator, wife, and mother of seven - including her daughter with Down syndrome! Brandy works with the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network to make sure all families feel seen, heard, and supported. She’s a fierce advocate for BIPOC families and we’re SO grateful for her perspective this season.

SHOW NOTES

Follow Brandy (@divab78) on Instagram and Tik Tok

Follow Brandy’s Facebook page: “Tiny Treasure's Trisomy 21 And CHD Journey”

Learn more about the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network

Download the DSDN app

SPONSORS

National Down Syndrome Society

iCanShine Programs

Down for Greens

Rods Heroes

BONUS: Sibling Bonds, Storytelling, and Chickens (Yes, Chickens!) with Melissa Hart Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

What happens when you mix a fierce sibling bond, a deep love for storytelling, writing, advocacy and a chicken named Rosemary? You get today’s episode of The Lucky Few Podcast! We’re joined by the incredible Melissa Hart, author, educator, journalist and big sister to Mark, her brother who has Down syndrome.

This episode is full of heart, humor, and hope—plus a reminder that inclusion starts at home and ripples out into the stories we tell.

Melissa shares her powerful journey growing up alongside her brother, the outdated and harmful messages her family faced, and how her mom’s bold choice to raise her brother with full inclusion shaped all their lives. From early childhood therapies to joyful adulthood, Melissa’s story is one of advocacy, love, and laughter.

In This Episode, We Cover:

The outdated advice families were once given—and Melissa’s mom’s courageous response
How Melissa’s relationship with her brother shaped her writing
Representation of people with Down syndrome in literature
Her latest book, Down Syndrome Out Loud
And yes… an appearance from Rosemary the chicken 🐔

About Our Guest: Melissa Hart is a journalist and essayist from Oregon, and the award-winning author of Avenging the Owl, Daisy Woodworm Changes the World, Better With Books, and her latest release, Down Syndrome Out Loud. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Smithsonian, Real Simple, and more. Melissa is also a master naturalist, an avid kayaker, and a proud chicken mom. She teaches in the MFA in Creative Writing program at Southern New Hampshire University and holds a BA in Literature from UC Santa Barbara and an MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College.

SHOW NOTES

• Connect with Melissa at https://www.melissahart.com/

• Learn more about Melissa's newest book at ⁠Down Syndrome Out Loud⁠

• ⁠Follow Melissa on Instagram⁠

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BONUS: The Power of Saying "I Like You So Much" (Heather's New Book!) Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

It’s 2025 and there are a few things we know are true… The world is chaotic. And we NEED more compliments. That’s why our very own Heather Avis wrote her new children’s book, “I Like You So Much: Celebrating What Makes You, You!” We’re chatting all about the inspiration for this book and more today!

What’s the difference between saying “I like you” and “I love you?”

When’s the last time you gave a compliment that wasn’t based on an accomplishment?

How did Heather make sure that ALL children could see themselves in her new book?

The reviews are in (literally!) and this book is a MUST-read. We hope you’ll share it with a kiddo in your life who needs to hear just how very likeable they are.

SHOW NOTES

Order I LIKE YOU SO MUCH by Heather Avis on Amazon or anywhere books are sold.

Get compliment cards, activity kits, and merchandise HERE.

SPONSORS

Learn more about Jack’s Basket.

Learn more about Enable Special Needs Planning.

300. A Deep Dive Into the Last 300 Episodes! May 20, 2025

Show notes

Well friends, we’re 300 episodes into the podcast and we finally figured out a way to keep track of just how long we’ve been doing this.. and no its not our neck wrinkles! Lets go behind the scenes today as we reflect on the last 7 years. We’re chatting about:

What has changed in our lives (and the world) since starting the podcast?

What have we learned (and unlearned) along the way?
What are our favorite memories? And what are YOUR favorite memories? (Lots of listener feedback in this one!)

You’ve all been on quite the journey with us. We’ve experienced everything from childbirth, cross-country moving, moments of grief, new diagnoses, global pandemics, and so much more. A lot has changed for each of us but one thing will always be true.. Micha really is a great singer. And whether you’ve been here since the beginning, or you’re just joining us now, we are SO grateful for you. We hope our vulnerability has encouraged you and reminded you that you are not alone on this journey.

SHOW NOTES

Listen to our episode with Sid Ghosh: 229. Poet, Author, “Levitator of Language”

Listen to Non Linear Learning, an amazing podcast by Dr. Vaish Sarathy

SHOUT OUT

Learn more about the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network

SPONSORS

Learn more about Jack’s Basket.

Learn more about Enable Special Needs Planning.

299. Reasonable Risks for Our Kids with Down Syndrome May 13, 2025

Show notes

If you’re a parent, you’ve likely wondered.. Should I let my child use this public restroom on their own? Is my child able to handle these kitchen tools? Can I let my child attend this sleepover? And if you’re a parent to a child with a disability, you might have even more fears around these risky activities. It’s time for a conversation about reasonable risks for our kids with Down syndrome. Here’s what we’re chatting about today:

What does “dignity of risk” mean?
Is the risky activity an opportunity for growth or an opportunity for trauma?
What makes our kids with disabilities more vulnerable even in “safe risk” situations?
How we do know when to let them take the risk? And when to step in?

We know its dignifying to have the right to make a risky decision, but its also super scary when it comes to our children. Lets unpack this and problem-solve (or try to) together today.

SHOW NOTES

Read ‘The Dignity of Risk’ by Amy Julia Becker

SHOUT OUT

Learn more about Project ECHO, a community of health care providers for individuals with DS.

SPONSORS

Learn more about Jack’s Basket.

Learn more about Enable Special Needs Planning.

298. What’s going on with the Department of Education? (Part 2 w/Ashley Barlow) May 06, 2025

Show notes

Overwhelmed by all the news lately? Us too. That’s why Ashley Barlow (@thecollaborativeiep) is back on the show today to breakdown all of the changes to the Department of Education and the impact on students with disabilities. Here’s what we’re discussing today:

Budget cuts and the impact on early learning for students with disabilities (no more Head Start program in 2026?!)
Pros and cons of school choice and vouchers (What does “welfare for the rich” mean?)
Action steps to make sure your child’s educational needs are met

We know that many of these changes have not happened yet, but the current political attitude towards disability has us a little worried. If you’re feeling the same way, stay informed and know that we’re all in this together.

SHOW NOTES

Follow Ashley at @thecollaborativeiep and find her website here.

SHOUT OUT

Learn more about The College of Adaptive Arts here and follow them on instagram!

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