The Lucky Few

Hey, friends! We are so glad you’re here for the final episode of Season Two of The Lucky Few Podcast! Listen along as we relive the best of this season and answer questions from you lovely listeners! From the conversations about inclusion with Kristen, self-advocacy with Kayla, and Down Syndrome in the church with Jamie, to the lessons learned from Terry Brown and parents of children with Down Syndrome, this season has been powerful! The world change doesn’t stop here though! This week, we are answering your questions about how to make time for all of your children and handle fears of the future for your child with different abilities. But friends, it gets better because we are coming back for The Lucky Few Podcast Season Three: Owning Your Influence! That’s right, we’ll be chatting all about what it means to shift the narrative in your daily life and influence your community to shout the worth of people with Down Syndrome! If you know any world changers and narrative shifters, tell us about them. As always, thank you for cheering us on this season. You are the sweetest listeners and advocates and we are so lucky to shift the narrative and shout the worth of people with Down Syndrome with you all! We’ll see you in Season Three! SHOW LINKS Care to listen again? Check out every episode from our first two seasons here: https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/ Check out the Mr. Rogers video mentioned by Micha! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BZlyxS37Kk SHOW SPONSOR Little Passports: Inspire Your Child to Learn About the World! (Visit https://www.littlepassports.com/lucky/ for special offers and more!) CHECK OUT HEATHER’S NEW BOOK Scoot Over and Make Some Room: Creating a Space Where Everyone Belongs by Heather Avis is available for pre-order on Amazon. Visit: https://www.amazon.com/Scoot-Over-Make-Some-Room/dp/0310354838/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543220124&sr=8-1&keywords=scoot+over+and+make+some+room

Welcome to The Lucky Few Podcast, friends! Thanksgiving is behind us and the holiday season is ahead! Struggling with gift ideas for your friends and family? We’ve got you covered. Listen along for the Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide, your inside look into this season’s most meaningful gifts for everyone on your list! From personalized children's books to planners, tote bags, and sponsorships, each gift in our guide supports a company that makes the world a better place. This season, give gifts that shout the worth of people with Down Syndrome and bring joy to your children, your friends, and even parents of children with different abilities! But don’t pay full price, we have coupon codes and more for all of our Lucky Few listeners! Happy shopping, friends! SHOW NOTES: GIFTS FOR KIDS Hey Wow Books: https://www.heywow.co/ Seek and find books that you personalize with your kids faces. Use code: hey10/luckyfew for 10% off your order! Electric Rose Toys: https://www.electricrosetoys.com/about.html Normalizing Down Syndrome and other different abilities with dolls and plush wheelchairs! 10% of all profits go directly to the Down Syndrome community. GIFTS FOR FRIENDS Lady and Beard: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ladyandbeard Gorgeous wooden earrings designed and created by a husband and wife duo who shout the worth of people with Down Syndrome! Holiday Cookie Boxes: http://holidaycookiebox.com/ Delicious ready-to-eat cookies shipped right to your door! Dance Happy Designs: http://www.dancehappydesigns.com/ Tote bags designed and screen-printed by three friends, one with Down Syndrome! GIFTS FOR MOTHERS OF CHILDREN WITH DIFFERENT ABILITIES Littlest Warrior’s Advocate Like A Mother Tee: https://www.littlestwarrior.com/ The perfect t-shirt to rock at your child’s next IEP meeting! Littlest Warrior donates 10% of sales every month to a family adopting a child with special needs. Save 10% with code: theluckyfew. The Glory Days Planner: https://theglorydaysco.com/ The perfect planner to help mothers navigate their child’s diagnosis! A portion of all products sold are donated to the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network. Ixchel Triangle Bags: https://ixcheltriangle.com/ One-of-a-kind bags crafted in Guatemala! Proceeds support artisans and families in Guatemala. Check out the bag inspired by The Lucky Few --> https://ixcheltriangle.com/collections/the-lucky-few/products/the-lucky-few-coban-14 GIFTS THAT ARE SHIFTING THE NARRATIVE AND CHANGING THE WORLD Can’t Read, Can’t Write, Here’s My Book: https://www.heresmybook.com/ Authored by a man with Autism who used the speech-to-text function on his iPad to write his own book! Proceeds support Special Olympics and Community Living. Preemptive Love Coalition: https://preemptivelove.org/ Purchase beautiful apparel, candles, soaps and more to unmake violence and create jobs for refugees in war town areas. 99 Balloons: https://99balloons.org/ Helping people with different abilities live a full life by proclaiming the worth and beauty of each and every human being. Just $33/month sends a child with a different ability to school in Haiti, Uganda, or Southern Asia. SHOW SPONSOR Little Passports: Inspire Your Child to Learn About the World! (Visit https://www.littlepassports.com/lucky/ for special offers and more!) CHECK OUT HEATHER’S NEW BOOK Scoot Over and Make Some Room: Creating a Space Where Everyone Belongs by Heather Avis is available for pre-order on Amazon --> https://www.amazon.com/Scoot-Over-Make-Some-Room/dp/0310354838/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543220124&sr=8-1&keywords=scoot+over+and+make+some+room ADVOCATE LIKE A MOTHER PODCAST: https://www.littlestwarrior.com/pages/advocate-like-a-mother-podcast

This week on the Lucky Few Podcast, we have the honor of sitting down with Kayla McKeon, the first registered lobbyist with Down Syndrome! Not only is Kayla active in her church and Special Olympics, she is a Ruby’s Rainbow college scholarship recipient and takes classes each semester! Kayla is living proof that people with Down Syndrome can lead full and productive lives and that’s why she’s one of the best self advocates in DC. After discovering her passion for public speaking at a Special Olympics event in her hometown Syracuse, Kayla began interning with a congressman and soon after found herself lobbying in DC! As an independent 31-year-old woman, Kayla flies to and from the nation’s capital to advocate for herself and her friends with different abilities. Currently, she’s lobbying for the Able to Work act that would allow people with different abilities to save more money without losing their benefits. Kayla’s work in DC also includes ending “Law Syndrome” by increasing the sub-minimum wage given to people with different abilities. When’s she not on a plane or in class, Kayla enjoys driving herself to the nail salon and spending time with her awesome parents. Join us this week to hear all about the extraordinary life of Kayla McKeon, a college student, a licensed driver, a podcast host, a public speaker, a reader, and an exceptional lobbyist. SHOW LINKS Keep up with Kayla! Website: http://kaylamckeon.com/blog/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mckeonkay/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kayla.mckeon.7 Podcast: https://soundcloud.com/national-down-syndrome-society-org Watch Kayla lobbying in DC: NBC News Story: https://www.today.com/health/kayla-mckeon-first-d-c-lobbyist-national-down-syndrome-society-t140585 CBS News Story: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kayla-mckeon-lobbyist-national-down-syndrome-society/ Washington Post News Story: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2018/06/08/this-woman-is-an-exceptionally-effective-capitol-hill-lobbyist-she-also-has-down-syndrome/?utm_term=.297d15524847 Now This News Story: https://nowthisnews.com/videos/her/kayla-mckeon-is-a-us-lobbyist-inspiring-others-with-down-syndrome Mentioned In The Show: Ruby’s Rainbow: https://rubysrainbow.org/ Gigi’s Playhouse: https://gigisplayhouse.org/ Special Olympics: https://www.specialolympics.org/ SHOW SPONSOR Little Passports: Inspire Your Child to Learn About the World! (Visit https://www.littlepassports.com/lucky/ for special offers and more!) HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Are you a business and want to suggest a product for our listeners? Fill out our Holiday Gift Guide to be featured on the show > https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/gift-guide-application-2

Coming at you LIVE from Orem, Utah - the ladies of The Lucky Few podcast take the stage at Dear Mom Conference! Heather, Micah, and Mercedes are reading their “Dear Mom” letters to their former selves and revealing all the things they wish they knew when they received their child’s Down Syndrome diagnosis. From the vulnerable lens of these powerful mamas, we’re working through answers to all the tough questions. What are you most scared of for your child’s future? How can I help my child relate to their peers? How can I shift the Down Syndrome narrative in my daily life? Listen along for encouragement and takeaways you can bring to every parent-teacher conference, every new playdate, and all the tough days in between. We’re looking back, shooting forward, and shifting the narrative. SHOW LINKS Follow Dear Mom on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/dearmomconference/) Check out other speakers from the Dear Mom Conference: https://www.dearmomconference.com/speakers-utah-2018 OAKLEY PETERSON Website: http://nothingdownaboutit.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nothingdownaboutit/?hl=en ALAN AND NIKKI LAWRENCE Website: http://thatdadblog.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatdadblog/ TERRY BROWN Website: https://www.sohappytolearn.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sohappytolearnatmrsbrownshouse/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/So-Happy-to-Learn-132690756788580/ SHOW SPONSOR Little Passports: Inspire Your Child to Learn About the World! (Visit https://www.littlepassports.com/lucky/ for special offers and more!) HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Are you a business and want to suggest a product for our listeners? Fill out our Holiday Gift Guide to be featured on the show > https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/gift-guide-application-2

This week on The Lucky Few Podcast, we’re talking about all things discipline and behavior with Dr. David Stein, a psychologist and former Co-Director of the Down Syndrome Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. His “respond but don’t react” approach to parenting children with Down Syndrome guides his new book: Supporting Positive Behavior in Children and Teens with Down Syndrome. As it turns out, the secret to discipline isn’t found in visual schedules and behavior charts, it’s in a parent’s emotional response to their child’s actions. Join us this week to learn more about the brain development of children with Down Syndrome, the best approach to disciplining children with Down Syndrome, and the importance of self-care for parents of children with Down Syndrome. To any parent struggling with their child’s behavior management: you are not alone. Join us this week for practical support, real encouragement, and honest community.

What happens when five married couples get together to talk about raising kids who have Down Syndrome? Join us around the campfire for this episode to find out! We’re talking all about growing stronger through tough seasons, splitting therapy responsibilities, and still making time to enjoy date night! Our list of special guests includes Amy & Chris who have three children, including Rocco, a five year old with Down Syndrome, Michelle & Eric who have four children, including Eli, a four year old with Down Syndrome, and Lindsay & Bart, who have seven children, including Ruby, age 6, and Conner, age 7, who have Down Syndrome! As always, Heather & Josh, who have three children, two with Down Syndrome, and Mercedes & Andy who have three children, one with Down Syndrome, are leading the campfire conversation! These couples say that their children have strengthened their marriages, and they have stats to back that up! Marriage and raising kids with Down Syndrome can be tricky, but these couples prove that it is definitely possible, and always worth it. Listen along for the ultimate insider’s perspective. LINKS Website: www.theluckyfewpodcast.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/theluckyfewpod Twitter: www.twitter.com/theluckyfewpod Facebook: www.facebook.com/theluckyfewpod SHOW LINKS DOWN SYNDROME AND LOWER DIVORCE RATES Divorce in Families of Children with Down Syndrome Study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17559293 Parents of Down Syndrome Children Divorce Less Study: https://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/reporter/index.html?ID=6087 Having a Child With Down Syndrome Is Good for Your Marriage: https://network.crcna.org/disability-concerns/having-child-down-syndrome-good-your-marriage The Down Syndrome Advantage: https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/991053/divorce-does-the-down-syndrome-advantage-exist CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTS Amy & Chris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roccosradlife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roccosradlife/ Lyndsay & Bart Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifewithrubyandconner/ Michelle & Eric Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlest_warrior/ & https://www.instagram.com/advocatelikeamother/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlestwarrior/ Shop: https://linktr.ee/littlest_warrior SHOW SPONSOR Lovevery https://loveverybaby.com/ (For 10% off play kit subscription or $10 off a Play Gym, use the code “theluckyfew” at checkout! HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Are you a business and want to suggest a product for our listeners? Fill out our Holiday Gift Guide to be featured on the show > https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/gift-guide-application-2/

This week on The Lucky Few Podcast, we’re breaking through cultural and religious stereotypes that discriminate against people with Down Syndrome, with the help of none other than Jamie Lee! Jamie is a mother of two children, Shane (5), who has Down Syndrome, and Shiloh (3). Her educational background includes a MA in Secondary Education with emphasis, English (USC), post graduate work in Paralegal studies (NYU), and a BA in Psychology with a Minor in English (UCSB). Currently, Jamie serves on the board of Club 21, a Down Syndrome advocacy group servicing families impacted by DS from infancy to adulthood for maximum inclusion, independence, and belonging. Recently, she helped launch Christ Central Southern California’s Access ministry, a group dedicated to supporting and facilitating full access to worship to those with special needs. Jamie’s greatest passion is bringing forth the value of people with all abilities to the forefront, through the context of the gospel. Join us this week as Jamie Lee makes known the power of people with Down Syndrome that cuts across cultures, religions, and stereotypes. LINKS Website: www.theluckyfewpodcast.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/theluckyfewpod Twitter: www.twitter.com/theluckyfewpod Facebook: www.facebook.com/theluckyfewpod SHOW LINKS Resources Mentioned by Jamie: Christ Central Southern California: http://www.christcentralsc.com/ Club Twenty One: http://clubtwentyone.org/ Disability and The Gospel: https://www.amazon.com/Disability-Gospel-Brokenness-Display-Grace/dp/1433530457/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540186823&sr=8-1&keywords=disability+and+the+gospel Keep up with Jamie Lee! Email: jamiejlee37@gmail.com Website: http://beingsinecere.blogspot.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamielimlee/ & https://www.instagram.com/walkwithshaney/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jamie.Lim.Lee Show Sponsor: Lovevery https://loveverybaby.com/ (For 10% off play kit subscription or $10 off a Play Gym, use the code “theluckyfew” at checkout!

This week on The Lucky Few Podcast we’re talking all about education! And we’re learning from none other than Mrs. Terry Brown, the creator of the “So Happy to Learn” program. She is passionate and gifted at teaching individuals with Down syndrome, and has developed an innovative program called “So Happy to Learn” that teaches reading, writing and math to children and adults with with Down Syndrome. She presents her “So Happy to Learn” method at workshops and conferences for parents and educators. Using her “Teaching vs. Testing” method, Terry Brown creates a positive, calm, and FUN environment for her students as they systematically progress to higher levels of learning. Her innovative strategies prove that every child can succeed in the classroom. Join us for a conversation about effective learning approaches, fun teaching tools, and confidence-building activities for children with Down Syndrome! LINKS Website: www.theluckyfewpodcast.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/theluckyfewpod Twitter: www.twitter.com/theluckyfewpod Facebook: www.facebook.com/theluckyfewpod SHOW LINKS Resources Mentioned by Terry: Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Teachers by Patricia Logan Oelwein // https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Reading-Children-Down-Syndrome/dp/B012UKMCRG Keep up with Terry and her “So Happy to Learn” Program! Email: terrybrown@sohappytolearn.com Website: www.sohappytolearn.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/So-Happy-to-Learn-132690756788580/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sohappytolearnatmrsbrownshouse/ Show Sponsor: Lovevery https://loveverybaby.com/ (For 10% off play kit subscription or $10 off a Play Gym, use the code “theluckyfew” at checkout!

The inclusion-conversation continues with our friend, Kristin Enriquez this week! She is an inclusion expert and educational consultant, who has the unique perspective of both an educator and mom, with her 24+ year career in special education and her ten year old son with Down syndrome. Kristen works with families and educators to ensure that students meet and exceed expectations while making certain that all parties have equal access to support systems for the students. She speaks about various topics in Special Education to the public and through social media with her outreach efforts called Stand for 21. Last week we focused our conversation on inclusion from an educator’s perspective. Today, we chat about our roles as parents, and as she proved last week, Kristin has so much to teach us. Listen along to learn more about finding your voice as a parent and backing that up with research and resources you can bring to your next IEP meeting! LINKS Website: www.theluckyfewpodcast.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/theluckyfewpod Twitter: www.twitter.com/theluckyfewpod Facebook: www.facebook.com/theluckyfewpod SHOW LINKS Research and Resources Mentioned by Kristen: Down Syndrome Education International: https://www.dseinternational.org/en-us/ Comparison between Mainstream and Special Education: https://www.down-syndrome.org/reports/295/ Challenging the Down Syndrome Profile: https://www.down-syndrome.org/essays/294/ Research Supporting Full Inclusion: https://www.thinkinclusive.us/essential-research-inclusive-education/ Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title20/chapter33/subchapter1&edition=prelim “Inclusion is best for everybody.” https://www.includeusfromthestart.com Keep up with Kristen and “Stand for 21!” Email: sevissmile@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standfor21/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standfor21/ Show Sponsor: Lovevery https://loveverybaby.com/ (For 10% off play kit subscription or $10 off a Play Gym, use the code “theluckyfew” at checkout!

W E R E B A C K ! ! ! ! For our first two episodes of this second season, we’re chatting with Kristin Enriquez, an inclusion expert and educational consultant, who has the unique perspective of both an educator and mom, with a long career in the field of special education, and a ten year old son with Down syndrome. “Inclusion is not a place, it’s a philosophy,” says Kristin, who is the founder of Stand for 21, and organization that seeks to expand awareness of the possibilities of people with Down syndrome through increased access and opportunity. She is also the founder of Sevy’s Smile, in which she is educational consultant and a parent coach, specializing in Down syndrome and other learning challenges. Links: Website: www.theluckyfewpodcast.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/theluckyfewpod Twitter: www.twitter.com/theluckyfewpod Facebook: www.facebook.com/theluckyfewpod Show Links: “Development is not fixed at birth.” -Sue Buckley, Down Syndrome Education International: https://www.dseinternational.org/en-us/ 1999 Study mentioned by Micha and Kristin: https://library.down-syndrome.org/en-us/research-practice/09/3/comparison-mainstream-special-education-teenagers-down-syndrome-implications-parents-teachers/ Club 21: http://clubtwentyone.org/ Our sponsor: Lovevery https://loveverybaby.com/ (For 10% off play kit subscription or $10 off a Play Gym, use the code “theluckyfew” at checkout!

It’s our Season One finale! And we’re celebrating by taking your questions! From adoption to social media to navigating extracurricular activities, Heather, Mercedes and Micha are here to answer your deepest questions (or maybe just the first questions that came to your mind). We share some of our favorite books that have helped us talk to our kiddos about Down syndrome, we discuss the word “disability,” and--as always--we celebrate some Good News, including our first ever LIVE EVENT coming to Laguna Beach this August 22. Get your tickets on our website at http://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com As always, we hope this podcast brings you encouragement, hope, and a new voice. Enjoy, and interact with us on all of our social media below! ___ Links: This is not THE article Micha referred to about head positioning during bottle feeding in order to help prevent tongue thrust in babies with DS. But this one does share similar information. Feeding Development in Down Syndrome 47 Strings: Tessa’s Special Code The Prince Who Was Just Himself Books by Amy Julia Becker Small Talk: Learning From My Children About What Matters Most A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny National Down Syndrome Congress Annual Convention Instagram accounts (adoption and China): @chosenforjoy @thisgatherednest @thestaufferlife @bringing_home_china

It is finally here! Welcome to the episode where we talk about all things therapy, and trust us… you won’t want to miss this one. What do you do when it feels like therapies are taking over? How much therapy should your child be receiving? How do you balance therapies with everything else of life? We cover it all, from the great benefits of therapy to the unique challenges it offers (like take home homework, and a much more full schedule). We share our personal experiences with all the therapies and then get to hear your good news. As always, we hope this podcast brings you encouragement, hope, and a new voice. Please subscribe at our website for updates and events in the future. Enjoy, and interact with us on all of our social media below! Website: www.theluckyfewpodcast.com Show Notes: Terry Brown: http://www.sohappytolearn.com Talk Tools: https://talktools.com/ Social Media: Instagram: www.instagram.com/theluckyfewpod Twitter: www.twitter.com/theluckyfewpod Facebook: www.facebook.com/theluckyfewpod

Welcome to the Dad episode. In honor of Father’s Day coming up the dads take over this episode and talk all about being a dad and what it specifically looks like when parenting kids with Down syndrome. They talk about their journey to becoming a Dad, dreams for the future, and good news. We are so excited for you to hear this one. As always, we hope this podcast brings you encouragement, hope, and a new voice. Please subscribe at our website for updates and events in the future. Enjoy, and interact with us on all of our social media below! Website: www.theluckyfewpodcast.com Social Media: Instagram: www.instagram.com/theluckyfewpod Twitter: www.twitter.com/theluckyfewpod Facebook: www.facebook.com/theluckyfewpod

We continue our conversation about friendship, this time focusing on one particular relationship between two little girls in Amarillo, Texas in the 80’s. Micha sits down with her lifelong friend Melynn Henry to talk about Carey, their childhood friend with Down syndrome, who was included in their classrooms and sports teams and Brownies. Melynn shares about how she and Carey became like sisters: from their childhood of playing dress up, to moving in together after college, to the pain of losing Carey five years ago. Both women discuss the power that Carey’s life has had on both of their lives. And as always, we end with Good News. PS Here’s where Melynn, Micha, and Carey grew up in the Texas Panhandle. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amarillo,_Texas Also, if you’re itching for a deep dive into all things Amarillo, Micha’s brother has super sweet podcast. http://heyamarillo.com/ We hope this podcast brings you encouragement, hope, and a new voice. Please subscribe at our website for updates and events in the future. Enjoy, and interact with us on all of our social media below! Website: www.theluckyfewpodcast.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/theluckyfewpod Twitter: www.twitter.com/theluckyfewpod Facebook: www.facebook.com/theluckyfewpod

Welcome to the latest episode of The Lucky Few Podcast. On this episode we talk all about friendship. We get to hear from another awesome Heather who works for the awesome Gigi’s Playhouse and her friend Bill (who we are super jealous of by the way) and then Lyndcee who started the Just Like Me Foundation. We talk about the importance of authentic friendship for our children and for ourselves. Also, as always, we get to share some awesome good news! We hope this podcast brings you encouragement, hope, and a new voice. Please subscribe at our website for updates and events in the future. Enjoy, and interact with us on all of our social media below! Website: www.theluckyfewpodcast.com Social Media: Instagram: www.instagram.com/theluckyfewpod Twitter: www.twitter.com/theluckyfewpod Facebook: www.facebook.com/theluckyfewpod SHOW NOTES: Gigi’s Playhouse https://gigisplayhouse.org/ Just Like Me Foundation https://www.justlikemefoundation.org/