If We Knew Then - Down Syndrome Podcast

In this conversation we sit down with Sader Issa to get an update from the past year after graduating from Dentistry school and what his future holds. Being a man raised by a father with Down syndrome, we also discuss the rewards of advocacy and the awareness and change it creates vs. the negativity that can exist when his story is exposed to the many opinions of social media. Preemptive Love: https://preemptivelove.org L’Archie International: http://www.larche.org Our First Episode with Sader: https://ifweknewthen.podbean.com/e/23-raised-by-a-father-with-down-syndrome-our-interview-with-sadar-issa/ Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/11/11/78-a-sons-advocacy-another-conversation-with-sader-issa/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

November is known as the month of gratitude and there is no one better to talk to about gratitude then our good friend Karen Maezen Miller. Maezen is a Zen Buddhist Priest who consistently gifts us wonderful words of wisdom. Today we discuss the practice of gratitude and how releasing expectations brings us closer to true thankfulness. Maezen’s website: https://karenmaezenmiller.com Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/11/04/77-practicing-gratitude-without-expectation-an-interview-with-karen-maezen-miller/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and to end the month we revisited with Melissa Kynoch. Melissa is a past guest who may be best known for her appearance on the BBC Documentary Series ‘Life and Birth’. We discussed her experiences of the past 18 months and what changes she would like to see in society regarding the perceptions of people with Down syndrome. BBC 'Life and Birth: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000j6v0/life-and-birth-series-1-episode-4  12 Step Fellowship: https://www.na.org  Wouldn’t Change A Thing - https://www.wouldntchangeathing.org  Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/10/28/76-catching-up-with-melissa-kynoch-a-year-and-a-half-later/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. We’ve talked about self-care on this podcast and the importance for parents and caregivers to find the time to take care of themselves. We are so grateful that Paul Denniston has once again gifted us, and our listeners, with a guided meditation. This time Paul will guide us through a wonderful Loving Kindness Meditation to help us with the many struggles we can face when we so often put others before ourselves. Paul’s Website: https://griefyoga.com Episode 22 - Paul’s 30 Minute Yoga Nidra Meditation: https://ifweknewthen.podbean.com/e/22-a-meditation-gift-from-paul-denniston/ Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/10/14/75-a-loving-kindness-meditation-gift-from-paul-denniston/2/  Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

Cousins, Jack and Caitie, join us to reveal their concept of a Superhero Cinematic Universe where everyone has the courage to unapologetically be themselves. We discuss how their characters will celebrate the hero within and also the importance of inclusion for mental health. Caitie’s brother, Luke, stars as ‘Ultra Luke’ and we talk about their relationship and how she hopes to change the future by changing the perception of people with Down syndrome. Jack and Caitie’s Website: https://linktr.ee/infiniteultras Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/10/07/74-creating-an-inclusive-super-hero-universe-with-jack-and-caitie-clonan/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and in this episode we discuss the true meaning of awareness and advocacy. Many self advocates have blazed a trail for the new generation in our community and we name a few of them so that we know who to look up to when we need encouragement. Frank Stevens’ speech to Congress (YouTube): https://youtu.be/vtS91Jd5mac Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/09/30/73-down-syndrome-awareness-month-acknowledging-those-who-came-before-us/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

In this final episode of our three-part sibling series, we sit down with Sophia and Jake Pratt’s sister, Amy Hyde, to discuss some of the gifts of having a sibling with Down syndrome. We also explore topics including advocacy, emotions and the R-word. Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/09/22/72-gifts-of-the-journey-a-sibling-conversation-with-amy-hyde/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

In this second installment of our three-part siblings series, we visit with Dr. Brian Skotko and Sue Levine to talk about the book they wrote entitled, ‘Fasten Your Seatbelt: A Crash Course on Down Syndrome for Brothers and Sisters’. This is the first book written exclusively for teens with a brother or sister with Down syndrome and tackles a broad range of their most common issues and concerns. Book: https://www.amazon.com/Fasten-Your-Seatbelt-Syndrome-Brothers/dp/1890627860  Workshop for siblings:  https://siblingslearnaboutdownsyndrome.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/downsyndromesibbook Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/09/16/fasten-your-seatbelts-a-crash-course-on-down-syndrome-for-brothers-and-sisters/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

In this first installment of a three part sibling series, we sit down with our 14 year old daughter, Sophia, to talk about her experiences as a sibling of a brother with Down syndrome. Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/09/09/insights-of-a-teenage-sibling-with-sophia-saux/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

As we return to school to find a new unknown, we may find ourselves facing familiar challenges and feelings.  In this episode we discuss the importance of a support system that reminds us we are never alone. Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/09/02/69-uncertainties-about-the-return-to-school-youre-not-alone/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

What is the purpose of a Special Needs Trust? What is a Living Will? How do I set up a Conservatorship when my loved one is an adult? How much does all this cost? Attorney and advocate, Enrique Perez, sits down with us to answer all these questions and more on this extremely informative episode for the entire disability community. Perez Law Group: www.perezlawgrp.com  Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/08/26/68-the-importance-of-conservatorships-and-a-special-needs-trust-with-enrique-perez/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

We have the honor again of visiting with Zen Buddhist Priest, Karen Maezen Miller, to discuss the Zen term of a “beginner’s mind” which means an open, innocent and non-judging mind, the mind we bring to everything we do when we are beginners.  Maezen’s website: https://karenmaezenmiller.com Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/08/17/66-the-beginners-mind-an-interview-with-karen-maezen-miller/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

In this episode we visit with Dr. Brian Skotko again and talk about the impact of Alzheimer’s in the Down syndrome community and we discuss some pro-active steps that may help to improve the long-term wellness for people with Down syndrome. Down Syndrome Brain Train: https://www.downsyndromebraintrain.com Down Syndrome Clinic: https://www.dsc2u.org Tar Heel Reader Book Collection: https://tarheelreader.org Find A Nutritionist Near You: https://www.eatright.org Dr. Brian’s Book “Fasten Your Seatbelt: A Crash Course on Down Syndrome for Brothers and Sisters”: https://www.woodbinehouse.com/product/fasten-seatbelt-crash-course-syndrome-brothers-sisters/ Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/08/11/66-a-conversation-about-alzheimers-with-dr-brian-skotko/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

This week is part two of our conversation with Liv Meriano and Danielle McKinney, from the Down Syndrome Resource foundation based in British Columbia, Canada. In this episode we continue the discussion on education, supports, inclusion and changing the mindset and approach to supporting students to access the curriculum and reach their potential.  Foundation Website: www.DSRF.org Baskets of Love: https://www.basketsofloveds.com/ Learn at Home: https://www.dsrf.org/programs-&-resources/learn-at-home-5196/ DS Education International education guidelines: https://workdrive.zohoexternal.com/external/8CkAlci1QBB-Jxfap The LowDOWN Podcast: https://www.dsrf.org/programs-&-resources/the-lowdown-podcast/ Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/08/05/65-the-down-syndrome-resource-foundation-part-2-with-liv-meriano-and-danielle-mckinney/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

In this week’s episode we are joined by Danielle McKinney and Liv Meriano from the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation to talk about educational tools and strategies parents can use at home and implement in their child’s school IEP. Foundation Website: www.DSRF.org Baskets of Love: https://www.basketsofloveds.com/ Learn at Home: https://www.dsrf.org/programs-&-resources/learn-at-home-5196/ DS Education International education guidelines: https://workdrive.zohoexternal.com/external/8CkAlci1QBB-Jxfap The LowDOWN Podcast: https://www.dsrf.org/programs-&-resources/the-lowdown-podcast/ Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/07/29/64-the-down-syndrome-resource-foundation/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.