What happens when the dreams you have for your children shift dramatically? June and Jim Zoll, along with Melody and Bob Ruppel, share their heartfelt stories of raising young adults with Down syndrome and the transformative role of advocates like Lisa Hotelen and organizations such as LifeWorks. Hear them recount their initial uncertainties and the pivotal moments that helped them embrace their children's aspirations for independence. Melody discusses the importance of focusing on potential positive outcomes rather than lingering fears, while June emphasizes the necessity of supporting the lives their children hope for, rather than clinging to initial visions of their future.
Ever wondered what love looks like between two people with Down syndrome? Meet Kristen and James, a truly inspirational married couple who highlight the beauty of their unique relationship. In this episode, we explore the dynamics of their marriage and the deep love they share. We also touch on the evocative lyrics of Melissa Riggio's "Love is a Potion," brought to life by Rachel Fuller's stunning musical interpretation. Don't miss this chance to be moved by the stories of the Zolls, the Ruppels, Kristen, and James. Their experiences offer invaluable insights into the challenges and triumphs of fostering independence and nurturing love in the lives of young adults with intellectual disabilities.
www.bornfabulouspodcast.com
Facebook Page: Born Fabulous Podcast
Instagram: bornfabulouspodcast
Twitter: @PodcastBorn
Threads: bornfabulouspodcast
#BornFabulousPodcast
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Greta Harrison (00:00):
Hello, my name is Greta Harrison.
Welcome to Born FabulousPodcast, season 3, episode 24.
The theme of this season isyoung adults with intellectual
disabilities living full livesof independence and
interdependence.
This episode features June andJim Zoll and Melody and Bob
Rupple.
It is the last of eightepisodes with the Zouls and the
(00:23):
Rupples, which is part of anin-depth series about marriage
featuring parents,self-advocates with support
staff and an employer.
Both the Zouls and the Rupplesare retired and have been
married for over 40 years.
They are the parents of JamesZoel and Kristen Rupel, who have
been married over five years.
James and Kristen have Downsyndrome.
(00:45):
Now please enjoy this clip.
Of Love is a Potion.
The lyrics are by MelissaRiggio, who was the focus of
Season 1, episodes 1 through 4.
The music and voice are byRachel Fuller.
Bob Rupple (01:12):
Love is everything.
Rachel Fuller (01:19):
Love is all around.
Love is all around.
Love is a potion.
Love is passion, love isdevotion.
Love is fusion.
(01:40):
Did you have any role modelsahead of you to watch?
Either of you.
You all mentioned somebody thatI have written down.
Her name Lisa.
Melody Rupple (01:51):
Hotelen.
Greta Harrison (01:52):
Hotelen, and you said she's written a book, so
she's not just a neighbor nextdoor.
June Zoul (01:58):
No, she told me about the book.
She hasn't written a book, shetold me about that.
Greta Harrison (02:04):
Oh, she told you about the book.
Okay, she hasn't written a book.
She told me about that.
Oh, she told you about the book.
Okay, she hasn't written a book.
So is she an advocate that Imight know of, or is she just
somebody who lives in your area?
Melody Rupple (02:18):
She worked in the social services field.
I mean, she worked with my bossat one point and then she went
on to community or what was it.
It was Nixie, wasn't it, whichwas a parent support, yeah,
agency.
(02:38):
So she's been in that field andso she had started the idea of
jamie, of her daughter movingout first and, uh, 16 years, and
so I I think she was ahead ofus in education, but really
there wasn't people doing whatwe were doing at that time well,
(03:03):
and we didn't know what wecould or couldn't do.
Bob Rupple (03:05):
We didn't know anything about it.
What's this all about?
How would she ever go out?
What's this called Independentliving, or something?
Melody Rupple (03:10):
Yeah, I mean.
Bob Rupple (03:11):
We went to a meeting , actually at Lisa's house, and
Beth from LifeWorks was there,and together they explained to
the parents this is how thiscould work, this is what you as
parents can do, this is what thebest agency can do to help you,
and really that was ourintroduction into the brave new
(03:33):
world.
Melody Rupple (03:34):
And we are fortunate that we live in a
state that has services.
I can't imagine how difficultit is in other states, because
it's difficult enough.
Bob Rupple (03:46):
With the services, with the services.
Melody Rupple (03:48):
With the services available there, it's still a
whole lot of work.
Greta Harrison (03:52):
Yeah, I'm sure I just wish it was a national
model instead of state by state.
But our education system couldbe like that too.
June Zoul (04:01):
Yeah.
Greta Harrison (04:02):
If you could talk to yourselves back when
your kids were little, is thereanything that you would tell
yourselves then that you knownow?
Melody Rupple (04:09):
Well, I suppose the biggest thing.
I mean when a doctor tells youyour kid might not walk, talk or
feed themselves, you know Imean that seems pretty.
You know dim future and youknow really, you just don't know
, you don't know.
I remember one time being inthe car when kristin was in
(04:32):
middle school and she's talkingall the way home and I look at
her and I go, you know, theysaid you might not talk.
Bob Rupple (04:37):
Maybe you don't want to, occasionally, you know by
this time she really understood.
Melody Rupple (04:44):
She had Down syndrome and she talked about it
too.
You know and stuff, and so youknow you have to just be
open-minded to all thepossibilities of what could
happen, not all the bad thingsthat might happen.
I lost a whole lot of sleepthat I'm sure I didn't need to.
If I had one, I know.
(05:07):
Now, you know.
Greta Harrison (05:15):
I love that quote.
If you know, melody, if yougive me permission, I'd like to
make a meme of several thingsthat you all have said, but one
of them is that quote you justsaid Think about all the things
that could happen instead of thethings that might not happen.
That's great.
I love that.
June, do you have anything to?
June Zoul (05:30):
add, I would just piggyback on that 100%.
You know, I would tell myyounger self to listen to the
life that he's hoping for ratherthan the life I think he's
going to have, because I neverthought he would move away from
(05:53):
me.
I for some reason neverentertained that idea, so when
he expressed it I was in shock.
So I would probably tell myyounger self that, yes, he will
live independently and move outand just to listen to, uh, to
what the life that he wants,rather than the one that I think
(06:15):
he's going to have.
Greta Harrison (06:17):
Listen to the life that he's hoping for,
instead of the life that.
June Zoul (06:21):
Yeah, say that again.
Greta Harrison (06:22):
Listen to the life that he's hoping for,
instead of the life that yeahand say that again.
Listen to the life that he'shoping for, instead of the life
that you think he's going tohave yeah, I love it.
June Zoul (06:30):
You know, I just I had his whole adult life planned
out in my head and, uh, it'snot what he wanted.
Bob Rupple (06:41):
Another aspect of this that I think about too is
that I think a lot of people andrightly so I mean it's
certainly understandable.
But when you have a challengedchild, I think you tend to
surround your entire life aroundthat child and it begins to
(07:02):
inform your life and your family.
And I know what.
We had Kristen.
We had Nicole already, ofcourse, but we had Kristen.
The other two weren't there yetand when Kristen was born, you
know, at the time it was we'regoing to have a disabled child
and we became a disabled familyand that kind of defined our
(07:25):
family and people even at workand stuff would say, oh yeah,
he's got a disabled child, youknow.
And that became sort of thedefinition of our family and we
thought the rest of our livesmight be that.
And I know other people that ithad and that determined the rest
of their lives.
And I know other people that ithad and that determined the
rest of their lives when we hadLisa and Kaylee.
That kind of normalized ourlife again.
(07:47):
And I'm not my point of thisisn't to say, go out and have a
lot of kids but all of a suddenwe felt like, okay, we're not a
disabled family, we're a normalfamily with a child with Down
syndrome and that flips it onits ear.
Because if the parents continueto follow their dreams and have
a normal life and a normalfamily, of which this child with
(08:12):
the Down syndrome is part of,that's what's going to be best
for the child, because it's allthat modeling that we're talking
about, and that's what's goingto be best for the parents,
because they're taking theirchild along with them on their
dreams.
It can be really easy to sort offall into this thing that
everything in your life now isdown syndrome, and I think it's
(08:34):
important and this is what Itell my younger self too to not
bury yourself in that.
You can be involved in it asmuch as you want, but do your
normal life and include youryourself in that.
You can be involved in it asmuch as you want, but do your
normal life and include yourchild in that Wow Very profound
today.
Greta Harrison (08:49):
I love it.
June Zoul (08:51):
That was so.
That was so well said, bob.
I appreciate that I appreciatethat.
Greta Harrison (08:58):
That really was.
Everything you've said is goingto be turned into memes.
I'm telling you all it's all,it's all great, I love it.
Is there anything left to sharethat I have not asked that you
want to share?
Melody Rupple (09:11):
I will tell you.
When I asked Kristen about I'mgoing on a podcast, I'm going
Kristen, do you want to do apodcast?
And she looks at me and shegoes I'm fine with being famous.
And then she lays her hand onmy shoulder and she goes you are
so lucky you had me, becausenow you could be famous too.
(09:33):
I love that.
I laughed for a week.
You're so lucky you had me.
June Zoul (09:46):
Full circle.
Greta Harrison (09:48):
See, I cannot wait to meet these two because I
can tell they are going to be atrip, and I love that.
I just love that.
I do want you to know and sether up.
I don't think this is going tomake her famous, but I will tell
(10:12):
you.
What makes me happy is and Idon't even know if I told June
this or not Radford Universityuses my podcast when they're
training special educators.
And I'm talking to a couple ofother people because I mean, I
know that this is not going tomake me famous.
That's not why I'm trying to dothis.
I'm trying to make a dent, andso I'm trying to talk to other
(10:33):
universities as well, because ifwe can help that next
generation of teachers be better, that's a win-win for everybody
, right?
So they use season one and partof season two to talk about
scenarios, and I've got this onmy website.
Radford University is and peopledon't know this, but in the
(10:55):
country it's one of the foundinglittle hubs of inclusion, even
though Virginia is prettybackwards.
Radford is where EducatingPeter was filmed back in 1992 by
HBO.
They have been includingstudents fully since 1992.
And that's not well actuallysince before that.
(11:16):
That's just not very commonaround the country and they
still have a lot to be modeled.
There's a professor there whohas founded the Center for
Inclusive Practices for theState of Virginia.
I mean she could have retired,but she knows there's so much
work to do I don't know if she'sever going to retire.
(11:38):
So if we can, if this can getout to little pockets like that
and help, that's what makes mehappy.
What makes me happy.
It makes me happy that Ihaven't had a new episode since
2000 and since 2020, but I stillhave the same number of
listeners every week and Ihaven't had a new episode.
(11:58):
So that means that there arenew listeners every week, which
makes me happy.
But I'm not Julia Dreyfuss fromSeinfeld, who has millions and
millions of listeners, you know.
And or Rob Lowe I love RobLowe's pocket, but I, you know,
it's not that it's not.
(12:19):
But if she feels famous, if shefeels special, yeah, I think
they've just.
Melody Rupple (12:27):
That's great.
We've been exposed to enough,uh films and things things and
uh, they've gotten to meet.
Uh, what's that actor's?
Name they met sean right yeahyeah, they met sean, those kinds
of things.
Plus kristen's always been thatI mean she's always been
putting on a show and, you know,being the first in drama class
(12:50):
to volunteer, and I mean I don'tknow, not like me at all.
So she has always had thatcomes from Bob's side of the
family, that gene to be anentertainer, and so, yeah, she
just really cracked me up.
Greta Harrison (13:13):
This is great.
That's very cute you know, I'mgonna pick, I'm gonna pick
things well it was.
Melody Rupple (13:17):
It was a pretty special clip yeah I was thinking
about one thing I didn't saywhen kristin left middle school.
There were so many parents thatcame up to us at graduation to
thank us that their childrenwere better people because they
(13:38):
grew up with Krista.
Yeah, yeah.
Jim Zoul (13:42):
Amen.
Melody Rupple (13:43):
Amen, and there were many more of those parents
than parents that complainedyeah.
Greta Harrison (13:50):
I love that.
That's powerful becauseinclusion is two way, it's not
one way, right, and that's whatled to the great employer James
has.
You know, my daughter's greatboss is only 39.
And she told me that she grewup um riding the bus with
(14:10):
somebody who has Down syndromeand she has a very large family
and she has several kids alreadyand she thought she was going
to have a child with Downsyndrome, either adopting or
having.
So when Yazzie started workingwith her, it was like full
circle, you know, and that's themore that we have people
(14:32):
included in society, the morefull circles there will be like
that.
Yeah, just, I love that.
But I love that.
I love that extra clip you justgave me.
Thank you.
June Zoul (14:45):
Just thank you for your work, Greta I.
I just know that all of this isvery time consuming and you've
given such a large part of yourlife to making new parents,
other parents' lives better, sokudos to you.
Greta Harrison (15:02):
Well, thank you, June.
I appreciate that.
I love talking to people likeyou.
I love this.
This is, this is such a joy.
I love it, thank you forinvolving us.
Thank you, I you know we'regoing to meet someday.
I've already been out thereonce recently.
So we're going to meet someday.
(15:24):
I'm sure of it, because Ihaven't hit San Diego yet, so I
know we will.
Bob Rupple (15:29):
But it's the best place to hit, so you're saving
the best for last.
Greta Harrison (15:33):
That's right.
I'm going to remember thatpiece of advice too.
That was very smart of you allwith your wedding.
Melody Rupple (15:39):
That was very smart.
Greta Harrison (15:41):
So I look forward to talking to your
children next your adultchildren, but they're still your
children.
I look forward to talking tothem next.
So I want to thank you so muchfor your time and your wisdom,
your willingness to share andopen yourselves up.
This has been a true joy, so Ithank you so much, thank you.
June Zoul (16:08):
You're welcome.
Thank you for having us.
Greta Harrison (16:10):
Thank you.
Thank you for listening toepisode 24 of Born Fabulous
podcast, third season.
I hope you enjoyed the entireseries of episodes with the
Zoels and the Rupels.
Having both families on thesame page is important to the
success and support of a marriedcouple who have intellectual
disabilities.
I am forever grateful for theirtime, honesty and wisdom.
(16:33):
I do have some clarificationsand an update.
While Radford University is awonderful inclusive partner in
many ways, it is the MontgomeryCounty Virginia school system
that was featured in EducatingPeter.
That school system has been ashining example of inclusive
practices for many decades andcan still be modeled for many
(16:53):
things to this day.
I mentioned a professor atRadford University who has been
a tremendous inclusion championin Virginia as well as
nationally.
She is Dr Liz Alteri.
She recently did retire.
I and so many are grateful forthe tremendous difference that
she made for so many Short videoclips from most episodes are
(17:16):
available on our YouTube channeland on BornFabulousPodcastcom.
You can also hear all releasedepisodes of Born Fabulous
Podcast on YouTube.
Now, in episode 25, you willmeet Kristen and and james oh,
the wonderful married couple wehave been talking about for
eight episodes.
Kristin and james have downsyndrome.
(17:36):
Please follow and like us onfacebook, instagram, twitter and
threads.
If you enjoyed this episode,I'd be honored if you would
leave a review wherever youheard this podcast.
Now, please enjoy this clip.
Of Love is a Potion.
The lyrics are by MelissaRiggio, who was the focus of
season one, episodes one throughfour.
The music and voice are byRachel Fuller.
(17:58):
Love does not tear apart.
June Zoul (18:14):
Love is a potion, love is passion.
Love never fails.
Love's emotion In motion.
Hello, my name is Greta Harrison.
Welcome to Born FabulousPodcast, season 3, episode 24.
The theme of this season isyoung adults with intellectual
disabilities living full livesof independence and
interdependence.
This episode features June andJim Zoll and Melody and Bob
Rupple.
It is the last of eightepisodes with the Zouls and the
(00:23):
Rupples, which is part of anin-depth series about marriage
featuring parents,self-advocates with support
staff and an employer.
Both the Zouls and the Rupplesare retired and have been
married for over 40 years.
They are the parents of JamesZoel and Kristen Rupel, who have
been married over five years.
James and Kristen have Downsyndrome.
(00:45):
Now please enjoy this clip.
Of Love is a Potion.
The lyrics are by MelissaRiggio, who was the focus of
Season 1, episodes 1 through 4.
The music and voice are byRachel Fuller.
Bob Rupple (01:12):
Love is everything.
Rachel Fuller (01:19):
Love is all around.
Love is all around.
Love is a potion.
Love is passion, love isdevotion.
Love is fusion.
(01:40):
Did you have any role modelsahead of you to watch?
Either of you.
You all mentioned somebody thatI have written down.
Her name Lisa.
Melody Rupple (01:51):
Hotelen.
Greta Harrison (01:52):
Hotelen, and you said she's written a book, so
she's not just a neighbor nextdoor.
June Zoul (01:58):
No, she told me about the book.
She hasn't written a book, shetold me about that.
Greta Harrison (02:04):
Oh, she told you about the book.
Okay, she hasn't written a book.
She told me about that.
Oh, she told you about the book.
Okay, she hasn't written a book.
So is she an advocate that Imight know of, or is she just
somebody who lives in your area?
Melody Rupple (02:18):
She worked in the social services field.
I mean, she worked with my bossat one point and then she went
on to community or what was it.
It was Nixie, wasn't it, whichwas a parent support, yeah,
agency.
(02:38):
So she's been in that field andso she had started the idea of
jamie, of her daughter movingout first and, uh, 16 years, and
so I I think she was ahead ofus in education, but really
there wasn't people doing whatwe were doing at that time well,
(03:03):
and we didn't know what wecould or couldn't do.
Bob Rupple (03:05):
We didn't know anything about it.
What's this all about?
How would she ever go out?
What's this called Independentliving, or something?
Melody Rupple (03:10):
Yeah, I mean.
Bob Rupple (03:11):
We went to a meeting , actually at Lisa's house, and
Beth from LifeWorks was there,and together they explained to
the parents this is how thiscould work, this is what you as
parents can do, this is what thebest agency can do to help you,
and really that was ourintroduction into the brave new
(03:33):
world.
Melody Rupple (03:34):
And we are fortunate that we live in a
state that has services.
I can't imagine how difficultit is in other states, because
it's difficult enough.
Bob Rupple (03:46):
With the services, with the services.
Melody Rupple (03:48):
With the services available there, it's still a
whole lot of work.
Greta Harrison (03:52):
Yeah, I'm sure I just wish it was a national
model instead of state by state.
But our education system couldbe like that too.
June Zoul (04:01):
Yeah.
Greta Harrison (04:02):
If you could talk to yourselves back when
your kids were little, is thereanything that you would tell
yourselves then that you knownow?
Melody Rupple (04:09):
Well, I suppose the biggest thing.
I mean when a doctor tells youyour kid might not walk, talk or
feed themselves, you know Imean that seems pretty.
You know dim future and youknow really, you just don't know
, you don't know.
I remember one time being inthe car when kristin was in
(04:32):
middle school and she's talkingall the way home and I look at
her and I go, you know, theysaid you might not talk.
Bob Rupple (04:37):
Maybe you don't want to, occasionally, you know by
this time she really understood.
Melody Rupple (04:44):
She had Down syndrome and she talked about it
too.
You know and stuff, and so youknow you have to just be
open-minded to all thepossibilities of what could
happen, not all the bad thingsthat might happen.
I lost a whole lot of sleepthat I'm sure I didn't need to.
If I had one, I know.
(05:07):
Now, you know.
Greta Harrison (05:15):
I love that quote.
If you know, melody, if yougive me permission, I'd like to
make a meme of several thingsthat you all have said, but one
of them is that quote you justsaid Think about all the things
that could happen instead of thethings that might not happen.
That's great.
I love that.
June, do you have anything to?
June Zoul (05:30):
add, I would just piggyback on that 100%.
You know, I would tell myyounger self to listen to the
life that he's hoping for ratherthan the life I think he's
going to have, because I neverthought he would move away from
(05:53):
me.
I for some reason neverentertained that idea, so when
he expressed it I was in shock.
So I would probably tell myyounger self that, yes, he will
live independently and move outand just to listen to, uh, to
what the life that he wants,rather than the one that I think
(06:15):
he's going to have.
Greta Harrison (06:17):
Listen to the life that he's hoping for,
instead of the life that.
June Zoul (06:21):
Yeah, say that again.
Greta Harrison (06:22):
Listen to the life that he's hoping for,
instead of the life that yeahand say that again.
Listen to the life that he'shoping for, instead of the life
that you think he's going tohave yeah, I love it.
June Zoul (06:30):
You know, I just I had his whole adult life planned
out in my head and, uh, it'snot what he wanted.
Bob Rupple (06:41):
Another aspect of this that I think about too is
that I think a lot of people andrightly so I mean it's
certainly understandable.
But when you have a challengedchild, I think you tend to
surround your entire life aroundthat child and it begins to
(07:02):
inform your life and your family.
And I know what.
We had Kristen.
We had Nicole already, ofcourse, but we had Kristen.
The other two weren't there yetand when Kristen was born, you
know, at the time it was we'regoing to have a disabled child
and we became a disabled familyand that kind of defined our
(07:25):
family and people even at workand stuff would say, oh yeah,
he's got a disabled child, youknow.
And that became sort of thedefinition of our family and we
thought the rest of our livesmight be that.
And I know other people that ithad and that determined the rest
of their lives.
And I know other people that ithad and that determined the
rest of their lives when we hadLisa and Kaylee.
That kind of normalized ourlife again.
(07:47):
And I'm not my point of thisisn't to say, go out and have a
lot of kids but all of a suddenwe felt like, okay, we're not a
disabled family, we're a normalfamily with a child with Down
syndrome and that flips it onits ear.
Because if the parents continueto follow their dreams and have
a normal life and a normalfamily, of which this child with
(08:12):
the Down syndrome is part of,that's what's going to be best
for the child, because it's allthat modeling that we're talking
about, and that's what's goingto be best for the parents,
because they're taking theirchild along with them on their
dreams.
It can be really easy to sort offall into this thing that
everything in your life now isdown syndrome, and I think it's
(08:34):
important and this is what Itell my younger self too to not
bury yourself in that.
You can be involved in it asmuch as you want, but do your
normal life and include youryourself in that.
You can be involved in it asmuch as you want, but do your
normal life and include yourchild in that Wow Very profound
today.
Greta Harrison (08:49):
I love it.
June Zoul (08:51):
That was so.
That was so well said, bob.
I appreciate that I appreciatethat.
Greta Harrison (08:58):
That really was.
Everything you've said is goingto be turned into memes.
I'm telling you all it's all,it's all great, I love it.
Is there anything left to sharethat I have not asked that you
want to share?
Melody Rupple (09:11):
I will tell you.
When I asked Kristen about I'mgoing on a podcast, I'm going
Kristen, do you want to do apodcast?
And she looks at me and shegoes I'm fine with being famous.
And then she lays her hand onmy shoulder and she goes you are
so lucky you had me, becausenow you could be famous too.
(09:33):
I love that.
I laughed for a week.
You're so lucky you had me.
June Zoul (09:46):
Full circle.
Greta Harrison (09:48):
See, I cannot wait to meet these two because I
can tell they are going to be atrip, and I love that.
I just love that.
I do want you to know and sether up.
I don't think this is going tomake her famous, but I will tell
(10:12):
you.
What makes me happy is and Idon't even know if I told June
this or not Radford Universityuses my podcast when they're
training special educators.
And I'm talking to a couple ofother people because I mean, I
know that this is not going tomake me famous.
That's not why I'm trying to dothis.
I'm trying to make a dent, andso I'm trying to talk to other
(10:33):
universities as well, because ifwe can help that next
generation of teachers be better, that's a win-win for everybody
, right?
So they use season one and partof season two to talk about
scenarios, and I've got this onmy website.
Radford University is and peopledon't know this, but in the
(10:55):
country it's one of the foundinglittle hubs of inclusion, even
though Virginia is prettybackwards.
Radford is where EducatingPeter was filmed back in 1992 by
HBO.
They have been includingstudents fully since 1992.
And that's not well actuallysince before that.
(11:16):
That's just not very commonaround the country and they
still have a lot to be modeled.
There's a professor there whohas founded the Center for
Inclusive Practices for theState of Virginia.
I mean she could have retired,but she knows there's so much
work to do I don't know if she'sever going to retire.
(11:38):
So if we can, if this can getout to little pockets like that
and help, that's what makes mehappy.
What makes me happy.
It makes me happy that Ihaven't had a new episode since
2000 and since 2020, but I stillhave the same number of
listeners every week and Ihaven't had a new episode.
(11:58):
So that means that there arenew listeners every week, which
makes me happy.
But I'm not Julia Dreyfuss fromSeinfeld, who has millions and
millions of listeners, you know.
And or Rob Lowe I love RobLowe's pocket, but I, you know,
it's not that it's not.
(12:19):
But if she feels famous, if shefeels special, yeah, I think
they've just.
Melody Rupple (12:27):
That's great.
We've been exposed to enough,uh films and things things and
uh, they've gotten to meet.
Uh, what's that actor's?
Name they met sean right yeahyeah, they met sean, those kinds
of things.
Plus kristen's always been thatI mean she's always been
putting on a show and, you know,being the first in drama class
(12:50):
to volunteer, and I mean I don'tknow, not like me at all.
So she has always had thatcomes from Bob's side of the
family, that gene to be anentertainer, and so, yeah, she
just really cracked me up.
Greta Harrison (13:13):
This is great.
That's very cute you know, I'mgonna pick, I'm gonna pick
things well it was.
Melody Rupple (13:17):
It was a pretty special clip yeah I was thinking
about one thing I didn't saywhen kristin left middle school.
There were so many parents thatcame up to us at graduation to
thank us that their childrenwere better people because they
(13:38):
grew up with Krista.
Yeah, yeah.
Jim Zoul (13:42):
Amen.
Melody Rupple (13:43):
Amen, and there were many more of those parents
than parents that complainedyeah.
Greta Harrison (13:50):
I love that.
That's powerful becauseinclusion is two way, it's not
one way, right, and that's whatled to the great employer James
has.
You know, my daughter's greatboss is only 39.
And she told me that she grewup um riding the bus with
(14:10):
somebody who has Down syndromeand she has a very large family
and she has several kids alreadyand she thought she was going
to have a child with Downsyndrome, either adopting or
having.
So when Yazzie started workingwith her, it was like full
circle, you know, and that's themore that we have people
(14:32):
included in society, the morefull circles there will be like
that.
Yeah, just, I love that.
But I love that.
I love that extra clip you justgave me.
Thank you.
June Zoul (14:45):
Just thank you for your work, Greta I.
I just know that all of this isvery time consuming and you've
given such a large part of yourlife to making new parents,
other parents' lives better, sokudos to you.
Greta Harrison (15:02):
Well, thank you, June.
I appreciate that.
I love talking to people likeyou.
I love this.
This is, this is such a joy.
I love it, thank you forinvolving us.
Thank you, I you know we'regoing to meet someday.
I've already been out thereonce recently.
So we're going to meet someday.
(15:24):
I'm sure of it, because Ihaven't hit San Diego yet, so I
know we will.
Bob Rupple (15:29):
But it's the best place to hit, so you're saving
the best for last.
Greta Harrison (15:33):
That's right.
I'm going to remember thatpiece of advice too.
That was very smart of you allwith your wedding.
Melody Rupple (15:39):
That was very smart.
Greta Harrison (15:41):
So I look forward to talking to your
children next your adultchildren, but they're still your
children.
I look forward to talking tothem next.
So I want to thank you so muchfor your time and your wisdom,
your willingness to share andopen yourselves up.
This has been a true joy, so Ithank you so much, thank you.
June Zoul (16:08):
You're welcome.
Thank you for having us.
Greta Harrison (16:10):
Thank you.
Thank you for listening toepisode 24 of Born Fabulous
podcast, third season.
I hope you enjoyed the entireseries of episodes with the
Zoels and the Rupels.
Having both families on thesame page is important to the
success and support of a marriedcouple who have intellectual
disabilities.
I am forever grateful for theirtime, honesty and wisdom.
(16:33):
I do have some clarificationsand an update.
While Radford University is awonderful inclusive partner in
many ways, it is the MontgomeryCounty Virginia school system
that was featured in EducatingPeter.
That school system has been ashining example of inclusive
practices for many decades andcan still be modeled for many
(16:53):
things to this day.
I mentioned a professor atRadford University who has been
a tremendous inclusion championin Virginia as well as
nationally.
She is Dr Liz Alteri.
She recently did retire.
I and so many are grateful forthe tremendous difference that
she made for so many Short videoclips from most episodes are
(17:16):
available on our YouTube channeland on BornFabulousPodcastcom.
You can also hear all releasedepisodes of Born Fabulous
Podcast on YouTube.
Now, in episode 25, you willmeet Kristen and and james oh,
the wonderful married couple wehave been talking about for
eight episodes.
Kristin and james have downsyndrome.
(17:36):
Please follow and like us onfacebook, instagram, twitter and
threads.
If you enjoyed this episode,I'd be honored if you would
leave a review wherever youheard this podcast.
Now, please enjoy this clip.
Of Love is a Potion.
The lyrics are by MelissaRiggio, who was the focus of
season one, episodes one throughfour.
The music and voice are byRachel Fuller.
(17:58):
Love does not tear apart.
June Zoul (18:14):
Love is a potion, love is passion.
Love never fails.
Love's emotion In motion.
Popular Podcasts
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!